Update 2: Per final broadcast data, NBC’s “Best Time Ever With Neil Patrick Harris” premiere posted a 1.8 adults 18-49 rating with 6.60 million viewers.
Lead-in “America’s Got Talent” drew a 2.4 with 11.40 million.
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Update: Per fast national data, the series premiere of NBC’s “Best Time Ever With Neil Patrick Harris” drew a 1.9 adults 18-49 rating with 6.77 million viewers. It was its timeslot’s highest-rated and most-watched network program.
For NBC, it was the timeslot’s best non-“The Voice” performance since April 7.
Competitively stellar and numerically solid, the performance is not without reservations and qualifications.
For starters, the show did not face any notable network competition in its 10PM timeslot. In addition to taking some of the shine away from the timeslot victory, that reality means “Best Time Ever” premiered in an advantageous circumstance.
When competition begins to populate its timeslot, “Best Time Ever” could take a notable hit.
Moreover, “Best Time Ever” received strong lead-in support from “America’s Got Talent.” The 9PM hour, which directly preceded “Best Time Ever,” drew a 2.5 adults 18-49 rating with 11.637 million viewers (the 8PM portion scored a 2.2 with 10.88 million viewers).
In addition to the lead-in, “Best Time Ever” also benefited from significant hype and curiosity buzz. Since those factors will be less relevant in the coming weeks, the numbers may cool.
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While the series premiere of NBC’s “Best Time Ever With Neil Patrick Harris” performed well from a competitive standpoint and reached a decently sized household audience, it did not at all post blockbuster numbers.
Per metered market data, Tuesday’s episode drew a 4.7 overnight household rating. Unspectacular in its own right, the number is particularly underwhelming when juxtaposed with that of lead-in “America’s Got Talent.”
Tuesday’s “AGT” drew a 7.5 overnight household rating.
Despite facing no major competition, “Best Time Ever” retained only 63% of what in theory should have represented a similarly skewing lead-in.
Focusing on the retention percentage, moreover, is to say nothing of the fact that Neil Patrick Harris — and the show’s concept — should have represented independent draws.
“Best Time Ever” also lost viewers as it progressed; the first half hour averaged a 5.3 overnight household rating, while the second half hour settled for a 4.1. While a slight drop was inevitable — the early portion of the broadcast was inflated by the “AGT” holdover — a 23% half-hour decline is not encouraging.
“Best Time Ever” won its timeslot in the overnight household ratings; the same will almost certainly be true for adults 18-49. That rating will emerge by 11:15AM ET.