RATINGS RECAP: 2/9/12

ABC
8:00 Wipeout
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Grey's Anatomy
Viewers: 10.3 million, 18-49 demo: 4.0
10:00 Private Practice
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory
Viewers: 16.2 million, 18-49 demo: 5.6
8:30 Rob
Viewers: 10.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.3
9:00 Person of Interest
Viewers: 15.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.3
10:00 The Mentalist
Viewers: 14.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.0

NBC
8:00 30 Rock
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
9:00 The Office
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
9:30 Up All Night
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 The Voice (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 18.1 million, 18-49 demo: 5.8
9:00 The Finder
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2

On Thursday night, CBS got another huge night from The Big Bang Theory. Though it was down three tenths in viewers from last week's series high, it was up a tenth in the demo for an all time Thursday high in the demo. It also eclipsed Modern Family's 5.5 to be the top scripted demo once again this week. This show is a monster. At 8:30pm, Rob was down four tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Though it would be hard for any show to have great retention out of Big Bang, this show keeps slowly slipping as Big Bang continues to ascend. It would probably do very little if it had to stand on its own. At 9pm, Person of Interest was dead even in viewers and the demo while The Mentalist was stronger than usual as it was up eight tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. The viewer total was a season high for this fourth year drama.

Over on ABC, Wipeout started out the night down eight tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo for a season low. ABC really ran this show into the ground in the last couple years and its ratings would seem to reflect viewer fatigue. At 9pm though the news was better as Grey's Anatomy was up six tenths in viewers and a strong four tenths in the demo for its Valentine's episode. It easily won the demo crown for the hour. Despite its drops from recent years, no drama besides NCIS has gotten a better demo this week. It's not going anywhere for awhile. At 10pm, Private Practice was down a tenth in viewers and the demo despite the lead-in being up. This feels like Brothers & Sisters this year - time for an underperforming veteran to be let go.

On FOX, American Idol started off the night up seven tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo as it appears to have stabilized after some early drops. Depending on where The Voice ends up, it may be able to remain TV's top demo for the year. At 9pm, The Finder was down seven tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo despite the lead-in being up. This show is definitely not a long term player for FOX as its now dropping after a couple rises.  

On NBC, the news was not good as usual for Thursday night. At 8pm, a one hour episode of 30 Rock was up seven tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo from last week's series low. Having the 8:30pm half hour probably helped its ratings a bit but it's still so low. At 9pm, The Office was down a tenth in viewers and three tenths in the demo for its lowest numbers since season one. This show is sinking fast and NBC needs to put it out of its misery. Nothing has worked without Steve Carell. At 9:30pm, Up All Night was even in viewers and down a tenth in the demo. Maybe this show should have stayed on Wednesdays? At 10pm, an encore of The Voice delivered a better demo than The Firm or Prime Suspect could.