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Nielsen Ratings Thur, April 10: American Idol Back on Top With Surprise Boot

Posted on 11 April 2008 by Robert Seidman

Scoreboard for Thurs. April 10, 2008 FOX CBS NBC ABC CW
Total Viewers (million) 15.81 15.41 7.28 5.46 1.94
Rating/Share: Adults 18-49 5.4/14 4.5/12 3.4/9 1.6/4 0.7/2

Update: a post with the FINAL Nielsen numbers for Thursday and a discussion on The Office vs CSI is here

Even though the Idol Gives Back telethon on Wednesday night wasn’t the typical ratings juggernaut, I now know that’s because nobody was going to be eliminated Wednesday and everybody who watches American Idol knew that.  But the telethon gave FOX an excuse to run a 3rd installment of Idol for the week leading it to a Thursday night win in both total viewers and the 18-49 age demo.New shows were back for everyone – everyone at least besides ABC and the CW and FOX, CBS and NBC all had good nights on the most-watched night of television.

The Idol results show apparently was a shocker, and it was the first time I’d ever actually received an e-mail from anyone complaining about who got booted off (Michael Johns).   Idol led-in to Don’t Forget the Lyrics, which despite losing over 8.5 million American Idol viewers, still had a solid 4.0/10 rating/share in the 18-49 demographic,

Comedies were back on NBC and My Name is Earl, The Office and the soon to be departing (to ABC?) Scrubs all had typically good (or better than usual, for NBC anyway) performances in the 18-49 demo.   30 Rock had its typically low viewership and sub 3.0 demo rating, but it’s renewed for next year nonetheless. In its defense, excluding last night’s results 60% of it’s total viewership was in the 18-49 demographic.

Second-place CBS had a good night with Survivor: Micronesia, CSI and Without a Trace.  While Survivor is slipping viewers, it performed just about as well in the 18-49 demographic as Without a Trace even though Trace had almost 3 million more viewers.  CSI may not be the ratings beast it used to be, but c’mon, what is?  CSI drew almost 20 million and had a 5.7/14 in the age demo.

NBC will continue to love, love, love on The Office, despite the naysayers. It drew 9.22 million and a 4.8/12 in the age demo.  Contrast that with Without a Trace’s 14.61 million, with a mere (cough) 3.9/11 in the demo.  Don’t get me wrong, WOT’s got some sweet numbers, but The Office performs far more impressively in the 18-49 demographic, especially considering WOT had more than 58% more viewers.  Puff your feathers out, Peacocks!

See the night’s full results:

Overnight Shows 04/10/08

Time Network Show Viewers (Millons) 18-49 Rating/Share HH Rating
8:00 CBS Survivor: Micronesia 11.68 3.8/11 6.60
  FOX American Idol 19.57 6.8/19 12.20
  ABC Desperate Housewives (Repeat) 4.39 1.1/3 3.30
  NBC My Name is Earl 6.98 3.0/9 4.50
  CW Smallville (Repeat) 2.32 0.8/2 1.80
           
8:30 NBC 30 Rock 5.72 2.7/7 4.10
           
9:00 CBS CSI 19.93 5.7/14 13.00
  FOX Don't Forget the Lyrics 10.91 4.0/10 7.00
  ABC Desperate Housewives (Repeat) 6.09 1.8/5 4.10
  NBC The Office 9.22 4.8/12 5.60
  CW Supernatural (Repeat) 1.7 0.6/2 1.30
           
9:30 NBC Scrubs 6.57 3.4/8 4.70
           
10:00 CBS Without a Trace 14.61 3.9/11 10.20
  ABC Eli Stone 5.89 1.9/5 4.00
  NBC ER 7.59 3.1/8 5.90

Nielsen Ratings Source: Nielsen Media Research. Full night’s results available via Marc Berman/Mediaweek.

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55 Responses to “Nielsen Ratings Thur, April 10: American Idol Back on Top With Surprise Boot”

  1. TheTruthHurts says:

    Marc Berman says “New Amsterdam” fits “House” repeats like a glove. Berman’s bar mitzvah suit fit like a glove…not like a suit. Bloated, pasty faced Marc Berman, who has a face for radio, is the only human who can make Jeff Zucker look like Antonio Banderas. Berman’s a “TV Insider” like I’m George Clooney.

  2. TheTruthHurts says:

    Marc Berman says “New Amsterdam” fits “House” repeats like a glove. Berman’s bar mitzvah suit fit like a glove…not like a suit. Bloated, pasty faced Marc Berman, who has a face for radio, is the only human who can make Jeff Zucker look like Antonio Banderas. Berman’s a “TV Insider” like I’m George Clooney.

  3. TheTruthHurts, I love Marc for the data, not necesarily his analysis. But he publishes fairly tirelessly and we thank him for it. I have no idea what he looks like — I have a face made for radio myself, and I have Jeff Zucker’s hairdo!

  4. TheTruthHurts, I love Marc for the data, not necesarily his analysis. But he publishes fairly tirelessly and we thank him for it. I have no idea what he looks like — I have a face made for radio myself, and I have Jeff Zucker's hairdo!

  5. Rob says:

    This really shows how hungry “The Office” fans were for a new episode. Those 18-49 numbers are huge. No wonder NBC wants a spin-off. “Scrubs” did really well too….makes me think ABC is smart to keep it going next year on their network.

  6. Rob says:

    This really shows how hungry “The Office” fans were for a new episode. Those 18-49 numbers are huge. No wonder NBC wants a spin-off. “Scrubs” did really well too….makes me think ABC is smart to keep it going next year on their network.

  7. Rob says:

    This really shows how hungry “The Office” fans were for a new episode. Those 18-49 numbers are huge. No wonder NBC wants a spin-off. “Scrubs” did really well too….makes me think ABC is smart to keep it going next year on their network.

  8. kayarn says:

    Wow I cannot wait until Lost comes back. The 4 comedies plus that is one great night of TV.

  9. kayarn says:

    Wow I cannot wait until Lost comes back. The 4 comedies plus that is one great night of TV.

  10. kayarn says:

    Wow I cannot wait until Lost comes back. The 4 comedies plus that is one great night of TV.

  11. Jack says:

    The Office owns the 18-49 demo! Great show.

  12. Jack says:

    The Office owns the 18-49 demo! Great show.

  13. Jack says:

    The Office owns the 18-49 demo! Great show.

  14. Jon V says:

    Two things I noticed about last night…

    For some unknown reason, people switched off 30 Rock (the best of the 4 NBC sitcoms, in my opinion, now that Scrubs is winding down) in droves (to do what, he asked?), and…

    Eli Stone held an amazing 96% of the DesHW rerun lead-in (with a so-so episode – against two established dramas) which bodes well when it switches to following the NEW DHWs starting this Sunday.

    NBC must be scratching their heads (happen to know they like 30 Rock best of the four).

    And ABC is really trying to give Eli it’s best chance to renew because it looks like multiple Emmy nominations if it continues on.

    Another night of not knowing which way is up for me.

  15. Jon V says:

    Two things I noticed about last night…

    For some unknown reason, people switched off 30 Rock (the best of the 4 NBC sitcoms, in my opinion, now that Scrubs is winding down) in droves (to do what, he asked?), and…

    Eli Stone held an amazing 96% of the DesHW rerun lead-in (with a so-so episode – against two established dramas) which bodes well when it switches to following the NEW DHWs starting this Sunday.

    NBC must be scratching their heads (happen to know they like 30 Rock best of the four).

    And ABC is really trying to give Eli it's best chance to renew because it looks like multiple Emmy nominations if it continues on.

    Another night of not knowing which way is up for me.

  16. Jon V says:

    Two things I noticed about last night…

    For some unknown reason, people switched off 30 Rock (the best of the 4 NBC sitcoms, in my opinion, now that Scrubs is winding down) in droves (to do what, he asked?), and…

    Eli Stone held an amazing 96% of the DesHW rerun lead-in (with a so-so episode – against two established dramas) which bodes well when it switches to following the NEW DHWs starting this Sunday.

    NBC must be scratching their heads (happen to know they like 30 Rock best of the four).

    And ABC is really trying to give Eli it's best chance to renew because it looks like multiple Emmy nominations if it continues on.

    Another night of not knowing which way is up for me.

  17. Draco777 says:

    OMG CSI ended up beating American Idol!! Wow…AI is really starting to lose its viewers. I’m afraid for season 8.

  18. Draco777 says:

    OMG CSI ended up beating American Idol!! Wow…AI is really starting to lose its viewers. I'm afraid for season 8.

  19. Draco777 says:

    OMG CSI ended up beating American Idol!! Wow…AI is really starting to lose its viewers. I'm afraid for season 8.

  20. Jure says:

    So-so! Eli Stone is a great show

  21. Jure says:

    So-so! Eli Stone is a great show

  22. Jure says:

    So-so! Eli Stone is a great show

  23. @JonV, I’m trying to figure out if you’re being sarcastic about Eli or not. I meant to write about that in the morning update and completely forgot. I’m guessing Eli fares better after the return of DHW (though not “hold 95% of lead-in” better).

  24. @JonV, I'm trying to figure out if you're being sarcastic about Eli or not. I meant to write about that in the morning update and completely forgot. I'm guessing Eli fares better after the return of DHW (though not “hold 95% of lead-in” better).

  25. @JonV, I'm trying to figure out if you're being sarcastic about Eli or not. I meant to write about that in the morning update and completely forgot. I'm guessing Eli fares better after the return of DHW (though not “hold 95% of lead-in” better).

  26. tom says:

    i’m impressed (if you are not being sarcastic) that you can praise 5.9 million and a 1.9.

  27. tom says:

    i'm impressed (if you are not being sarcastic) that you can praise 5.9 million and a 1.9.

  28. tom says:

    i'm impressed (if you are not being sarcastic) that you can praise 5.9 million and a 1.9.

  29. Jon V says:

    I LOVE Eli Stone… meant a so-so episode (gay monkeys not the best topic for a show on the bubble).

    Up against return of established ER and WOT… really not bad numbers. Bad slot.

    This Sunday should be the breakthrough with a NEW Eathquake ep following a NEW ep of the Teri Hatcher Show (DWH).

    Looking for Eli to go forward (and seeing that ABC is giving it it’s No.1 hit as a lead-in) makes me think it will be back as one of those sleeper hits that really comes into its own in season 2.

    It’s already there for me

  30. Jon V says:

    I LOVE Eli Stone… meant a so-so episode (gay monkeys not the best topic for a show on the bubble).

    Up against return of established ER and WOT… really not bad numbers. Bad slot.

    This Sunday should be the breakthrough with a NEW Eathquake ep following a NEW ep of the Teri Hatcher Show (DWH).

    Looking for Eli to go forward (and seeing that ABC is giving it it's No.1 hit as a lead-in) makes me think it will be back as one of those sleeper hits that really comes into its own in season 2.

    It's already there for me

  31. Jon V says:

    I LOVE Eli Stone… meant a so-so episode (gay monkeys not the best topic for a show on the bubble).

    Up against return of established ER and WOT… really not bad numbers. Bad slot.

    This Sunday should be the breakthrough with a NEW Eathquake ep following a NEW ep of the Teri Hatcher Show (DWH).

    Looking for Eli to go forward (and seeing that ABC is giving it it's No.1 hit as a lead-in) makes me think it will be back as one of those sleeper hits that really comes into its own in season 2.

    It's already there for me

  32. Daniel C says:

    I LIKE Eli Stone. Some cute fantasy scenes against a Kelley-esque courtroom drama. I think it would fair well with the Pushing Daisies crowd (a much better show).

    ABC is obviously trying very hard to find an audience for this show and I hope it does…but I’m not holding my breath.

    Meanwhile NBC fans are again getting desperate if they see The Office as a “huge” success while finishing 3rd overall and 2nd in the demo to a true hit in CSI. For NBC, demos are enough to cheer for their only prime time success.

  33. Daniel C says:

    I LIKE Eli Stone. Some cute fantasy scenes against a Kelley-esque courtroom drama. I think it would fair well with the Pushing Daisies crowd (a much better show).

    ABC is obviously trying very hard to find an audience for this show and I hope it does…but I'm not holding my breath.

    Meanwhile NBC fans are again getting desperate if they see The Office as a “huge” success while finishing 3rd overall and 2nd in the demo to a true hit in CSI. For NBC, demos are enough to cheer for their only prime time success.

  34. Daniel C says:

    I LIKE Eli Stone. Some cute fantasy scenes against a Kelley-esque courtroom drama. I think it would fair well with the Pushing Daisies crowd (a much better show).

    ABC is obviously trying very hard to find an audience for this show and I hope it does…but I'm not holding my breath.

    Meanwhile NBC fans are again getting desperate if they see The Office as a “huge” success while finishing 3rd overall and 2nd in the demo to a true hit in CSI. For NBC, demos are enough to cheer for their only prime time success.

  35. Daniel, The Office *is* a huge success, the people who don’t understand this are…simply people who don’t understand it. I forgive you.

    Think of it this way, even though CSI had MORE THAN 100% more viewers overall (116% more viewers, if you want to get technical) in the 18-49 demographic, which really, really is important no matter how much Les Moonves wishes it wasn’t. 14% of all 18-49 year olds watching TV were tuned into CSI and 12% of all of them were tuned into The Office, to make the 18-49 spread so very close with 116% less viewers is pretty HUGE.

    Said another way, although The Office trailed CSI in total viewers by 116%, it only trailed in the demo by 18.8%. It’s not just huge, but amazing really.

  36. Daniel, The Office *is* a huge success, the people who don't understand this are…simply people who don't understand it. I forgive you.

    Think of it this way, even though CSI had MORE THAN 100% more viewers overall (116% more viewers, if you want to get technical) in the 18-49 demographic, which really, really is important no matter how much Les Moonves wishes it wasn't. 14% of all 18-49 year olds watching TV were tuned into CSI and 12% of all of them were tuned into The Office, to make the 18-49 spread so very close with 116% less viewers is pretty HUGE.

    Said another way, although The Office trailed CSI in total viewers by 116%, it only trailed in the demo by 18.8%. It's not just huge, but amazing really.

  37. Daniel, The Office *is* a huge success, the people who don't understand this are…simply people who don't understand it. I forgive you.

    Think of it this way, even though CSI had MORE THAN 100% more viewers overall (116% more viewers, if you want to get technical) in the 18-49 demographic, which really, really is important no matter how much Les Moonves wishes it wasn't. 14% of all 18-49 year olds watching TV were tuned into CSI and 12% of all of them were tuned into The Office, to make the 18-49 spread so very close with 116% less viewers is pretty HUGE.

    Said another way, although The Office trailed CSI in total viewers by 116%, it only trailed in the demo by 18.8%. It's not just huge, but amazing really.

  38. Jon V says:

    And Robert, one of your other little favorite handicapping tools (or is it one of mine)… Office is a LOT cheaper to make.

  39. Jon V says:

    And Robert, one of your other little favorite handicapping tools (or is it one of mine)… Office is a LOT cheaper to make.

  40. Jon V says:

    And Robert, one of your other little favorite handicapping tools (or is it one of mine)… Office is a LOT cheaper to make.

  41. Daniel C says:

    Yes, yes Robert, we all know how you feel about CBS. I forgive you your narrow minded view of The Office.

    While the Office puts in a decent half hour once a week, CSI puts in twice that on Thursdays so CBS can sell its “slightly” higher demo for twice as long.

    Furthermore, while The Peacock tries to toss in a few “extended” Office hours throughout the season, CSI has franchised 2 additional hours each week which also rake in the bucks.

    While there is no denying that the 18-49s are the most important advertising, total eyes aren’t chopped liver. The Office would have to get like a 20 in the demo to match the CSIs each week.

    A hollow victory, indeed.

  42. Daniel C says:

    Yes, yes Robert, we all know how you feel about CBS. I forgive you your narrow minded view of The Office.

    While the Office puts in a decent half hour once a week, CSI puts in twice that on Thursdays so CBS can sell its “slightly” higher demo for twice as long.

    Furthermore, while The Peacock tries to toss in a few “extended” Office hours throughout the season, CSI has franchised 2 additional hours each week which also rake in the bucks.

    While there is no denying that the 18-49s are the most important advertising, total eyes aren't chopped liver. The Office would have to get like a 20 in the demo to match the CSIs each week.

    A hollow victory, indeed.

  43. Daniel C says:

    Yes, yes Robert, we all know how you feel about CBS. I forgive you your narrow minded view of The Office.

    While the Office puts in a decent half hour once a week, CSI puts in twice that on Thursdays so CBS can sell its “slightly” higher demo for twice as long.

    Furthermore, while The Peacock tries to toss in a few “extended” Office hours throughout the season, CSI has franchised 2 additional hours each week which also rake in the bucks.

    While there is no denying that the 18-49s are the most important advertising, total eyes aren't chopped liver. The Office would have to get like a 20 in the demo to match the CSIs each week.

    A hollow victory, indeed.

  44. Mark says:

    I think just the fact that we’re comparing The Office to CSI proves what a success The Office is. Once DVR numbers are factored in, The Office will probably get another boost. And it’s even more impressive considering this is a show that had no business even getting renewed for a 2nd season. (It was pulling a 2.5 in the demo, and about 5 million viewers overall in the first season, excluding the pilot.)

  45. Mark says:

    I think just the fact that we're comparing The Office to CSI proves what a success The Office is. Once DVR numbers are factored in, The Office will probably get another boost. And it's even more impressive considering this is a show that had no business even getting renewed for a 2nd season. (It was pulling a 2.5 in the demo, and about 5 million viewers overall in the first season, excluding the pilot.)

  46. Mark says:

    I think just the fact that we're comparing The Office to CSI proves what a success The Office is. Once DVR numbers are factored in, The Office will probably get another boost. And it's even more impressive considering this is a show that had no business even getting renewed for a 2nd season. (It was pulling a 2.5 in the demo, and about 5 million viewers overall in the first season, excluding the pilot.)

  47. Akira says:

    After getting far from the UK-version plot, The Office is much much better. I love CSI but I never watch any episodes twice. When it’s done it’s done. The Office, I never watch any episode less than twice. I think that’s the difference.

  48. Akira says:

    After getting far from the UK-version plot, The Office is much much better. I love CSI but I never watch any episodes twice. When it's done it's done. The Office, I never watch any episode less than twice. I think that's the difference.

  49. Akira says:

    After getting far from the UK-version plot, The Office is much much better. I love CSI but I never watch any episodes twice. When it's done it's done. The Office, I never watch any episode less than twice. I think that's the difference.

  50. rather than write an 800 word comment, I just did a post instead, including the final Thursday numbers.

    Off to watch BSG on the DVR…

  51. rather than write an 800 word comment, I just did a post instead, including the final Thursday numbers.

    Off to watch BSG on the DVR…

  52. rather than write an 800 word comment, I just did a post instead, including the final Thursday numbers.

    Off to watch BSG on the DVR…

  53. mjo says:

    HA HA HA HA HA… I love you, TheTruthHurts.

  54. mjo says:

    HA HA HA HA HA… I love you, TheTruthHurts.

  55. mjo says:

    HA HA HA HA HA… I love you, TheTruthHurts.


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