Ed Sheeran [NBC]
Update: Per fast national data, NBC’s “Ed Sheeran: Live at Wembley Stadium” drew a total of 2.09 million viewers.
While that is essentially on par with the 2.01 million drawn by last summer’s “Miley Cyrus: Bangerz Tour” special, the broadcast skewed markedly older. “Bangerz” drew a 0.7 adults 18-49 rating; the Sheeran special garnered only a 0.5 in that demo.
The broadcast, moreover, net a mere 0.3 in adults 18-34. It drew a 0.6 in adults 25-54.
Insofar as it was not compellingly strong with youth and teen viewers, it is clear that older adults made up a sizable portion of the audience.
“Live at Wembley” did face competition from FOX’s Teen Choice Awards ceremony, but that show was not at all a strong performer in the aforementioned demographics. It drew a 0.8 in adults 18-34, a 0.8 in adults 18-49, a 0.8 in adults 25-54 and 2.61 million total viewers.
CBS’ combination of “60 Minutes” and “Big Brother” represented far more daunting competition (exact numbers are not yet available due to the preceding golf coverage).
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Concert specials – regardless of the mainstream talent involved – rarely deliver strong television ratings.
NBC’s “Ed Sheeran: Live at Wembley Stadium” was no exception.
Sunday’s broadcast drew a soft 1.6 overnight household rating. While that narrowly tops the 1.4 drawn by NBC’s summer 2014 “Miley Cyrus: Bangerz Tour” special, it is not an impressive number.
Due by 11:15AM ET, the adults 18-49 and total viewership numbers will also be unremarkable.
For comparison’s purposes, last year’s two-hour “Bangerz” special drew a 0.7 adults 18-49 rating with 2.01 million viewers.
This past winter’s hour-long “One Direction: The TV Special,” which also aired on NBC, posted a 0.7 with 3.10 million.