Deuce Bigelow was looking big and high as CBS’ Rob this Thursday night premiered to 13.48 million total viewers and a 4.1 demo rating, representing CBS’ best numbers in the 8:30 slot since May 2010.
The news was less good for Thursday’s other series launch: Fox’s The Finder opened to 5.9 million total viewers and a 1.7 rating, down some 30 percent from what Bones most recently pulled in the 9 o’clock slot (albeit with an X Factor lead-in), and placing fourth in the demo (behind NBC comedies). The Finder found itself up against CBS’ most-watched and highest-rated Person of Interest episode to date.
Next week, the Bones offshoot will benefit from an American Idol lead-in.
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Going hour-by-hour:
8 pm | The Big Bang Theory dominated as the night’s most-watched and highest-rated program, surging double digits to 16 million total viewers and a 5.2 rating. In a special time slot, the Bones winter finale drew 8.63 mil and a 2.4, up a few eyeballs from its previous outing. ABC’s Wipeout (7.1 mil/2.2) dropped 15 and 20 percent.
The 30 Rock season premiere (4.57 million/1.8 rating) was up 27 and 20 percent from Community‘s most recent performance, yet marked the show’s series low for an opener; Parks and Rec led out of that with 4.1 mil/1.9, up a few percentage points. The Vampire Diaries (2.8 mil/1.2) was down 15 and 20 percent from last week’s winter premiere.
9 pm | Person of Interest (14.7 mil/3.2) led the hour in total audience and rose 14 percent to hit series highs on both counts, while Grey’s Anatomy (10.6 mil/3.8, down 16 percent) had the better demo rating. On NBC, The Office (5.87 mil/2.9) was flat, and Up All Night (4.3 mil/2.0) saw a 5-percent bump in the demo versus its last Wednesday airing. The Secret Circle held steady with 2.1 mil/0.8.
10 pm | The Mentalist dominated with 13.4 million total viewers and a 2.7 demo rating, flat versus its previous outing. Private Practice (6.7 mil/2.4) dropped 11 percent, while NBC’s The Firm (4.24 mil/1.0) plunged nearly 30 percent from its Sunday sneak preview.
What were you watching on this busy, busy Thursday?
