Update: As expected, Friday’s “Reign” suffered a downward adjustment in the final ratings report. Nielsen says the episode drew a 0.3 adults 18-49 rating and 1.099 million viewers.
The 0.3 matches the previous week’s mark, while the 1.099 million sum narrowly tops that episode’s 1.097 million sum. It represents a new season high.
===============
Friday’s “Reign” demonstrates week-over-week growth in the fast national ratings, but some — if not all — of that growth will likely be absent from the final ratings report.
Per fast national data, “Reign” posted a 0.4 adults 18-49 rating and 1.358 million total viewers. The numbers are up from the 0.3 rating and 1.097 million viewer mark posted last week.
The adults 18-49 rating, moreover, ties a season high. The viewership tally represents a new one.
Unfortunately, fast national ratings are based on timeslot rather than program. That means they account for the Bulls game that pre-empted “Reign” (and likely fared better than “Reign” would have) in the Chicago market.
The final ratings report will account for that preemption and likely result in a downward adjustment.
Final ratings are due by Tuesday.
— Additional evidence of the inflation comes courtesy the rating for the “Penn & Teller” re-run. The broadcast was also up considerably week-to-week, drawing a 0.4 and 1.239m after posting a 0.3 with 924,000 viewers last week.