OJ Simpson Special | Michael Yarish/FOX
While it was not a ratings blockbuster, FOX’s “OJ Simpson: The Lost Confession?” fared respectably opposite ABC’s “American Idol” premiere.
According to fast national data posted by Showbuzz, Sunday’s special drew a 1.2 adults 18-49 rating and averaged 4.40 million viewers.
Due to typical TV viewing habits and the structure of the special (the “hypothetical confession” aired in the second half), the episode enjoyed a gain in the 9PM hour. The first hour drew a 1.1 rating and 4.01 million viewers, while the latter scored a 1.3 and 4.80 million.
Among adults 18-49, “OJ Simpson” was Sunday’s #2 broadcast network program in both hours. Only the aforementioned “American Idol” drew a bigger demo rating.
Over the course of the whole night and across all networks, it will likely rank as the night’s #4 or #5 program in the demo (below AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” “Idol,” ABC’s “Deception,” and possibly Turner’s three-network simulcast of the iHeart Awards).