CBS had reasons to celebrate last night as their Thursday night lineup saw some increases from its last outing before the winter hiatus.
The Big Bang Theory (3.1, 15.99 million viewers) was up half a point vs. its last episode, with its best showing since week 2 of the season. Young Sheldon grew by even more — 0.8 — to a 2.6 in the demo and 14.67 million viewers, tying its second-best rating of the season. Mom (1.7, +0.3, 9.95 million viewers), Life in Pieces (1.3, +0.2, 7.41 million viewers) and SWAT (1.1, +0.1, 6.17 million viewers) improved as well. SWAT, which looked so-so in the beginning, is actually performing consistently in a timeslot that has been very difficult for CBS. This could secure its renewal for next season.
At NBC, Superstore (1.1, 3.92 million viewers) and Chicago Fire (1.1, 5.89 million viewers) rose a tenth apiece vs. their last episodes in early November. The Good Place returned steady at a 1.0 demo score and 3.08 million viewers, but Will & Grace (1.4, -0.2, 4.89 million viewers) was down. Despite this, the series was still the top NBC show for the night. Great News (0.6, 2.48 million viewers) improved on its late-December numbers but was off a tenth from the last time it had a Will & Grace lead-in.
The CW aired reruns for the night. Also, airing reruns, with the exception of a documentary about the raid in Waco, Texas, was ABC. FOX didn’t air scripted content but they did premiere their new singing competition, The Four, which hit a 1.2 demo rating and 3.73 million viewers. It was an improvement from its usual Thursday performance with Gotham and The Orville, which ranged from a 0.9-1.0 but it’s a far cry from the heyday of American Idol.
