For the first time on record, a new episode of “This Is Us” beat the same week’s original “The Big Bang Theory” in the live+7 adults 18-49 ratings.
Touting official data, NBC says the February 7 “This Is Us” posted a 5.0 adults 18-49 rating in live+7 (live + 7 days of DVR viewership). The figure bests the 2.6 rating posted in the live+same-day ratings report.
The February 9″The Big Bang Theory,” meanwhile, drew a 4.8 adults 18-49 rating in live+7. Its live+same-day rating was a 3.0.
While “This Is Us” did not beat “The Big Bang Theory” in total viewership, it did post a larger gain from live+same-day to live+7. “This Is Us” improved from a 9.57 million viewer average to 15.80 million (+6.24 million, rounded), while “The Big Bang Theory” went from 14.15 million to 19.25 million (+5.10 million).
An undeniable hit, “This Is Us” has already been renewed for second and third seasons.