RATINGS RECAP: 3/5/15

ABC
8:00 Grey's Anatomy
Viewers: 8.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
9:00 Scandal
Viewers: 9.6 million, 18-49 demo: 3.0
10:00 American Crime
Viewers: 8.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory
Viewers: 18.2 million, 18-49 demo: 4.8
8:30 The Odd Couple
Viewers: 12.4 million, 18-49 demo: 3.0
9:00 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat)
Viewers: 10.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
9:30 Mom
Viewers: 9.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
10:00 Elementary
Viewers: 7.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

NBC
8:00 The Slap
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 The Blacklist
Viewers: 8.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
10:00 Allegiance
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 9.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 Backstrom
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

Thursday night had a series premiere on ABC, but it didn't really fit the TGIT mold and the ratings showed that as it had an entirely different skew. First up, Grey's Anatomy was up half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo. At 9pm, Scandal was even in viewers but down three tenths in the demo from its last airing two weeks ago. At 10pm was the premiere of the new American Crime. While the total viewer count was similar to How to Get Away with Murder in recent weeks, the demo was only a 2.0. It skewed much older with a very different audience. Even in this time-shifted viewing age, compatibility still matters with scheduling.

Over on CBS, The Big Bang Theory started things off up 1.5 million viewers and three tenths in the demo for a Thursday high. Hard to believe Big Bang can do this well and still be a full demo point behind Empire this week. That's how far Empire has grown. At 8:30pm, The Odd Couple took advantage of its better lead-in as it was up 1.3 million viewers and two tenths in the demo. Its renewal chances are looking pretty good at the moment. It was another good week for Mom too as it was up 1.4 million viewers and a tenth in the demo in its second week in the 9:30 slot. This has been quite a sophomore success story for CBS. At 10pm, Elementary was the only down note as it fell half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo from its last airing.

NBC put The Blacklist on an island at 9pm again and it was up two tenths in viewers and down a tenth in the demo. It was bookended by a pair of 0.8 demo performances from The Slap and Allegiance. NBC finally made a move today by cancelling Allegiance and moving The Slap to 10pm in favor of Dateline specials at 8pm starting next week. Finally on FOX, American Idol was dead even with last week (and above its Wednesday performance) while Backstrom was up a tenth in viewers and the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Allegiance (NBC)