RATINGS RECAP: 11/4/15

ABC
8:00 CMA Awards
Viewers: 13.6 million, 18-49 demo: 3.8

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 8.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 Code Black
Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

NBC
8:00 The Mysteries of Laura
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 Chicago PD
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

FOX
8:00 Rosewood
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Empire
Viewers: 11.7 million, 18-49 demo: 4.6

Wednesday night had the CMA Awards, but it wasn't as strong as it usually is. In fact, the demo tied its low from 2012. As always, award shows fluctuate and I'm not up enough on the country music scene to know what might not be as buzzy this year. The rest of the networks didn't get negatively affected. On CBS, Survivor was up three tenths in viewers and down a tenth in the demo, tying its series low. Things just get worse by the week for Criminal Minds. It was up two tenths in viewers but down a tenth in the demo for yet another series low. This has always struggled against the CMAs but its year-to-year trend has been just terrible. This show aged fast. Comparatively, Code Black had a better night as it was up four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. This show seems to be largely written off, but it's retention out of Criminal Minds is not that bad.

FOX had the return of its dramas after a week off. Rosewood was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo while Empire was down six tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. It's a season low for Empire, but I actually thought the drop could have been more severe. Finally on NBC, The Mysteries of Laura had a good night as it rose six tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. Every time I feel like this show is finally about to be past the point of no return, it has a rally week. At these numbers, a full season is certainly not out of the question as it continues to be part of NBC's most cohesive lineup on any night. At 9pm, Law & Order: SVU was up three tenths in viewers and even in the demo with its last airing two weeks ago. At 10pm, Chicago PD was up four tenths in viewers but down a tenth in the demo. Fun fact on Chicago PD: it has gotten a 1.4 or 1.5 demo for more than half of its episodes. Those aren't amazing numbers, but it is remarkably consistent.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: The Mysteries of Laura (NBC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Criminal Minds (CBS)