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[01/21/21 - 08:01 AM]
Wednesday's Broadcast Ratings: NBC Tops Inauguration Day
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

Primetime Preliminary Fast National Nielsen Data
(includes all DVR playback through 3:00 am)

Here are the highlights of the 14 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night (1/20/21):

NBC (3.468 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T1) was the most-watched network in Inauguration Day with its lineup of "NBC News Special: The Inauguration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr." (3.872 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.7, #3), "Celebrating America" (3.855 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T1) and a repeat of "Chicago PD" (2.686 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T9).

A close second was ABC (3.447 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T1) with its "ABC News Special: The Inauguration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr." (4.275 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T1), "Celebrating America" (3.647 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T4), "The Conners" (3.099 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T4) and "Call Your Mother" (2.368 million viewers, #11; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T9).

Next up was FOX (2.725 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T1) with its duo of "The Masked Dancer" (2.775 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T4) and "Name That Tune" (2.674 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T4).

Meanwhile, CBS (2.785 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.4, #4) offered up its mix of "One Nation: Indivisible" (3.691 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.5, #8), "Celebrating America" (3.055 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T9) and a repeat "Magnum P.I." (1.927 million viewers, #12; adults 18-49: 0.2, #T12).

And finally, The CW (0.573 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.1, #5) wrapped the evening with the season premieres of "Riverdale" (0.655 million viewers, #13; adults 18-49: 0.2, #T12) and "Nancy Drew" (0.491 million viewers, #14; adults 18-49: 0.1, #14).

Week-to-week changes (adults 18-49):
0.00% - The Conners
-14.29% - The Masked Dancer
-14.29% - Name That Tune
-20.00% - Call Your Mother

Year-to-year changes (adults 18-49):
+50.00% - The Conners (vs. Stumptown)
+50.00% - The Masked Dancer (vs. 9-1-1: Lone Star (Repeat))
+50.00% - Name That Tune (vs. 9-1-1: Lone Star (Repeat))
0.00% - Call Your Mother (vs. Stumptown)
0.00% - Riverdale
0.00% - Nancy Drew


Here are the highlights of the 15 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (1/22/20):

NBC (7.808 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.0, #1) maintained its top spot on Wednesday with its trio of "Chicago Med" (8.367 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.1, #T1), "Chicago Fire" (8.128 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.1, #T1) and "Chicago PD" (6.927 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.0, #3).

Second place went to CBS (4.103 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T2) and its mix of "Undercover Boss" (4.435 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T6), "Criminal Minds" (4.458 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T6) and "SWAT" (3.418 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.5, #10).

Next up was ABC (2.965 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T2) with originals from "The Goldbergs" (4.050 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T4), "Schooled" (2.982 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T6), "Modern Family" (3.509 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T4), "Single Parents" (2.486 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 0.6, #9) and "Stumptown" (2.381 million viewers, #11; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T11).

Meanwhile, FOX (1.999 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.4, #4) opted for encores of "9-1-1: Lone Star" (2.135 million viewers, #12; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T11) and a second "9-1-1: Lone Star" (1.862 million viewers, #13; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T11).

And finally, the return of "Riverdale" (0.824 million viewers, #14; adults 18-49: 0.2, #14) and a new "Nancy Drew" (0.553 million viewers, #15; adults 18-49: 0.1, #15) rounded out the night on The CW (0.689 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.2, #5).

Week-to-week changes (adults 18-49):
+16.67% - Schooled
+14.29% - The Goldbergs
0.00% - Riverdale (vs. 12/11/19)
0.00% - Criminal Minds
0.00% - Undercover Boss
0.00% - Single Parents
0.00% - Stumptown
0.00% - Nancy Drew
-8.33% - Chicago Med
-8.33% - Chicago Fire
-9.09% - Chicago PD
-11.11% - Modern Family
-16.67% - SWAT

Year-to-year changes (adults 18-49):
-8.33% - Chicago Fire
-9.09% - Chicago PD
-12.50% - Criminal Minds (vs. SEAL Team)
-14.29% - Single Parents
-15.38% - Chicago Med
-20.00% - Stumptown (vs. Match Game)
-33.33% - The Goldbergs
-33.33% - Modern Family
-36.36% - Schooled
-36.36% - Undercover Boss (vs. Celebrity Big Brother)
-37.50% - SWAT (vs. Criminal Minds)
-50.00% - Riverdale
-50.00% - Nancy Drew (vs. All American)

Source: Nielsen Media Research





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