RATINGS RECAP: 2/23/12

ABC
8:00 Wipeout
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Grey's Anatomy
Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1
10:00 Private Practice
Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory
Viewers: 16.2 million, 18-49 demo: 5.3
8:30 Rob
Viewers: 10.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.9
9:00 Person of Interest
Viewers: 14.6 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1
10:00 The Mentalist
Viewers: 13.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6

NBC
8:00 30 Rock
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
8:30 Parks and Recreation
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 The Office
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
9:30 Up All Night
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 Grimm (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 15.6 million, 18-49 demo: 4.5
9:00 The Finder
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0

On Thursday night, CBS saw a rebound from The Big Bang Theory which was up half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo as it trounced American Idol for the night. At 8:30pm, Rob was down four tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo for a series low. The retention has gotten worse and worse for this show which does not bode well for the future with its season finale next week. At 9pm, Person of Interest was up a nice 1.4 million viewers and three tenths in the demo, tying Grey's Anatomy for the demo win for the first time. Not bad for a show that started the season fourth in the demo. At 10pm, The Mentalist was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo despite the lead-in being up. 

Over on ABC, Wipeout started out the night down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. Grey's Anatomy followed up eight tenths in viewers but down another tenth in the demo for a season low. This is surprising since FOX was much weaker this week but it's still getting above a 3, which is good. ABC needs to fix 8pm on this night and that may help Grey's. At 10pm, Private Practice was down a big eight tenths in viewers and half a demo point as it was up last week due to a crossover with Grey's Anatomy.  

NBC saw some rebounds for the 9pm shows but nothing spectacular. At 8pm, 30 Rock was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo while Parks and Recreation was down a tenth and even in the demo. At 9pm, The Office was up six tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo, avoiding its downward spiral for now. Up All Night followed up four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. FOX did not have a positive night as American Idol was down 1.1 million viewers and six tenths in the demo. A 4.5 is good for most shows but low for the once unstoppable Idol. It was beaten by The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, and The Voice in the demo this week. At this point, Idol is now just one of the top shows and not on an island all on its own. It's year-to-year losses are scary. At 9pm, The Finder was even in viewers but down two tenths in the demo. This show will not be getting a second season.