RATINGS RECAP: 5/5/14

ABC
8:00 Dancing with the Stars
Viewers: 13.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
10:00 Castle
Viewers: 9.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

CBS
8:00 2 Broke Girls
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
8:30 Friends with Better Lives
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
9:00 Mike & Molly
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:30 Mom (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
10:00 NCIS: Los Angeles (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7 

NBC 
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 11.0 million, 18-49 demo: 3.0
10:00 The Blacklist
Viewers: 10.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7

FOX
8:00 24: Live Another Day
Viewers: 8.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6 

Monday night had the highly anticipated return of 24 in the new 24: Live Another Day on FOX. The return of Jack Bauer after four years away delivered great numbers for FOX even if it was slightly below expectations. It was on par with numbers it was getting during its final season (2009-10), which is good because it was four years ago. We'll have to see where things shake out but even a drop into the low 2s in the demo would make it a top FOX drama and top summer option. It held fairly steady across the two hour premiere. NBC was completely unaffected by the 24 premiere and that was great news for them. The Voice was down six tenths in viewers and even in the demo while The Blacklist was down four tenths in viewers and even in the demo. I suspect The Blacklist will rise next week for its season finale. 

The other two networks were not nearly as lucky. On ABC, Dancing with the Stars came crashing back from last week's high as it tumbled 2.8 million viewers and seven tenths in the demo. At first it seems like an odd effect but remember that both 24 and Dancing with the Stars were favorites of conservative audiences, so maybe there's more crossover than we think. At 10pm, Castle was down 1.4 million viewers and four tenths in the demo to tie a series low. On CBS, the season finale of 2 Broke Girls was down 1.3 million viewers and three tenths in the demo. It managed to escape this season without dropping into the 1s for the demo. The news was not good for bubble comedy Friends with Better Lives as it dropped 1.2 million viewers and three tenths in the demo in what seems like it was a pivotal week for decisions. At 9pm, Mike & Molly was down 1.1 million viewers and a rough half a demo point for a series low. Will this show return to an anchor slot next year?