Despite getting a beating from critics, Marvel’s Inhumans opened decently for ABC on Friday.
Now, let me explain. Standards for ratings are much lower on Friday nights. Networks are aware that most people are out and not in front of their TV’s so lower demo scores don’t necessarily mean a show is in danger.
Marvel’s Inhumans got off to a credible start (by Friday ratings standards) with 3.8 million viewers and a 0.9 rating in the 19-49 demographic. The Marvel fantasy vehicle actually narrowly topped the sophomore season premiere of CBS’ MacGyver (6.6 million viewers, 0.8 demo score) and was only narrowly beaten by Hawaii 5-0 (8.5 million viewers, 1.0 demo rating). Blue Bloods led all Friday shows with 9.8 million viewers and a 1.1 demo rating.
The news was bleaker for Fox unfortunately as the second season of The Exorcist opened to low numbers, even for Friday. The show hit 1.7 million viewers and a 0.6 demo rating.
In other ratings new, The Good Doctor got a solid lift in delayed viewing. The show already opened to solid ratings on Monday but added 5 million viewers to its already strong showing that was north of 12 million viewers. It also saw its demo score rise from a 2.2 demo rating to a 3.7 after delayed viewing.
Other shows to see a rise in delayed viewing were an 80% lift for last week’s The Orville (up to 7.4 million viewers and a 2.0 demo score) and last week’s season premiere of Gotham which rose 78% in total viewers (up to 5.7 million viewers) and 70% in the 18-49 demo (up from a 1.0 to a 1.7 demo rating).
Check back next Saturday to see how your Friday show hold up in week 2!
