ABC’s broadcast of this year’s Billboard Music Awards not only humbled the Biebs, it also easily topped Sunday in both total audience — with 9.5 million viewers — and in the demo (scoring a 3.6).
Versus the 2012 BBMAs, that marks gains of 28 and 31 percent, hitting 12- and 10-year highs.
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Elsewhere on the music-al front, CBS’ Tim McGraw special drew 6.2 mil and a 1.7, placing last in every half hour. Compared to a year-ago’s Jesse Stone swan song (13 mil/1.2), it delivered less than half the audience yet managed a 44 percent better demo number.
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NBC’s not-yet-renewed Celebrity Apprentice (5.26 mil/2.1) rose week-to-week but was down 24 percent and a tenth from last year to hit a new finale low. (Will the Donald finally get his walking papers???)
Over on Fox, both The Simpsons (4.2 mil/2.0) and Family Guy (5.2 mil/2.5) were steady week-to-week yet down a smidgen from their previous finales.