The CW should be happy with the performance of Black Lightning. Despite its lead-in, The Flash, dwindling some in the 18-49 demo, Black Lightning proved it was not lead-in dependent and has been steady as a rock in recent weeks. The season finale, which aired last night, continued that steady streak for the freshman superhero drama.
On The CW, Black Lightning drew a 0.5 rating among adults 18-49 and 1.69 million viewers, even with last week (and the seven episodes before that). The Flash was also steady at a 0.6 demo rating and 1.87 million viewers. The concerning thing about The Flash is that it was only a tenth above Black Lightning in the demo and while that’s still respectable for The CW, the demo drop for The Flash in recent weeks has been quite alarming.
On ABC, Roseanne was still easily the top show of the night and scored a 3.4 demo rating and 13.01 million viewers, even with last week’s fast nationals (it adjusted up in the finals). Alex, Inc. followed with a 1.2 demo rating and 4.85 million viewers, up from its last Wednesday airing (0.9) bet well behind the 1.9 demo rating for The Middle in the spot last week. The softer lead-in also drove down Black-ish (1.1, -0.2, 4.14 million viewers) and Splitting Up Together (1.0, -0.2, 3.62 million viewers). For the People held steady at a 0.6 demo rating and 2.10 million viewers.
On NBC, The Voice (1.5, 8.21 million viewers) fell three-tenths of a point vs. its last regular airing two weeks ago (last week was a clip show). Rise stayed steady at a 0.8 demo rating and 4.31 million viewers. Chicago Med ended the night and rose a tenth to a 1.2 demo rating and 6.21 million viewers.
On CBS, NCIS hit a series low 1.1 demo score and 11.27 million viewers while Bull (1.1, 19.69 million viewers) and NCIS: New Orleans (0.8, 8.39 million viewers) were each down a tenth from their last episodes.
On FOX, Lethal Weapon (0.7, 3.51 million viewers), LA to Vegas (0.6, 2.04 million viewers) and New Girl (0.6, 1.72 million viewers) all dipped a tenth vs. last week.
