With strong viewing for CBS's summer adaption of a Stephen King novel, other networks are likely to take notice. They have wondered for years how to stem erosion during the summer, and this successful drama came along at just about the time the reality franchises they had been relying on were beginning to age.
NETWORK RATINGS ROUNDUP: JUNE 24-30
‘Under The Dome’ Could Drive TV’s Future
NEW YORK (AP) — The CBS drama “Under the Dome” has the potential to be a game-changer for network television.
An estimated 13.5 million people watched the debut a week ago Monday of the summer series based on a Stephen King book about an invisible dome landing over a small town, the Nielsen company said. It’s been 20 years since a new summertime drama opened so strongly.
An additional 3.2 million people watched “Under the Dome” either on their DVRs or by ordering it through an on-demand service, Nielsen said. CBS reran the premiere Sunday night, and 5.1 million people watched.
Numbers that big surely compel a response in television executive suites. Even before “Under the Dome,” Fox had talked about creating big event dramas with a limited run, including a return of “24.” Broadcast networks have wondered for years how to stem erosion during the summer, and a successful drama came along at just about the time the reality franchises they had been relying on were beginning to age.
The second episode of “Under the Dome” that aired this Monday was seen by 11.5 million viewers.
CBS said it will air 13 episodes before it ends in September. Its executives have talked about continuing the series beyond that, most likely next summer.
BRAND CONNECTIONS
CBS won the week in prime time, averaging 5.7 million viewers. NBC had 4.9 million viewers, ABC had 3.7 million, Univision had 3.6 million, Fox had 3.3 million, Telemundo had 1.8 million, Ion Television had 1.3 million and the CW had 710,000.
USA was the week’s most popular cable network, averaging 2.7 million viewers in prime time. TNT had 2.4 million, The Disney Channel had 2.3 million, History had 2.13 million and TBS had 2.05 million.
NBC’s “Nightly News” topped the evening newscasts with an average of 7.5 million viewers. ABC’s “World News” was second with 6.7 million and the “CBS Evening News” had 6.1 million viewers.
The Top 20
Primetime viewership numbers compiled by Nielsen for June 24-30. Listings include the week’s ranking and viewership.
1. Under the Dome, CBS, 13.53 million
2. America’s Got Talent (Tuesday), NBC, 10.23 million
3. NCIS, CBS, 8.37 million
4. NHL Stanley Cup Final, Game 6: Chicago vs. Boston, NBC, 8.16 million
5. The Big Bang Theory (Thursday, 8 p.m.), CBS, 8.15 million
6. The Big Bang Theory (Monday, 9:30 p.m.), CBS, 7.35 million
7. 60 Minutes, CBS, 7.17 million
8. The Big Bang Theory (Monday, 9 p.m.), CBS, 6.65 million
9. The Bachelorette, ABC, 6.56 million
10. Big Brother 15 (Wednesday), CBS, 6.51 million
11. Person of Interest, CBS, 6.49 million
12. Master Chef (Wednesday, 9 p.m.), Fox, 6.21 million
13. Two and a Half Men, CBS, 6.17 million
14. Dateline NBC, NBC, 6.1 million
15. Ann Curry Reports, NBC, 6.02 million
16. NCIS: Los Angeles, CBS, 5.96 million
17. Big Brother 15 (Sunday), CBS, 5.81 million
18. Criminal Minds (Wednesday, 10 p.m.), CBS, 5.68 million
19. Master Chef (Wednesday, 8 p.m.), Fox, 5.57 million
20. Hell’s Kitchen, 5.54 million, Fox
Comments (2)
Gregg Palermo says:
July 3, 2013 at 10:15 am
Shock: Fresh programming outperforms reruns. Not bad for a plot rip-off from the Simpsons Movie.
Robert Crookham says:
July 3, 2013 at 4:32 pm
Summer replacements? Who would have thought it? Oh, wait, someone already did. Back in radio days. And again in TV days–remember the Smothers Brothers? Now, some rocket scientist is taking credit for reinventing the wheel.