FOX had a strong night overall but the return of The X-Files, while not terrible, was way lower from its return two years ago.
The X-Files scored a 1.4 rating in adults 18-49 & 5.19 million viewers, less than half of its 3.2 average in 2016 (and 0.7 below its weakest outing). It’s still a strong showing for what FOX currently averages but I’m guessing they expected a stronger start. They had better luck with Ryan Murphy’s 9-1-1, which improved on its lead-in and drew a 1.8 demo rating and 6.81 million viewers — the third-best drama series premiere this season behind The Orville (which had an NFL assist for its first episode) and The Good Doctor.
On CBS, SEAL Team (0.9, 5.87 million viewers) was down 0.2 from its last episode before its winter break, while Criminal Minds held steady at a 0.9 demo rating and 5.38 million viewers.
On ABC, The Goldbergs (1.5,5.84 million viewers ) and Speechless (1.1, 4.33 million viewers) were each off a tenth of a point vs. their last episodes before the break, while Modern Family (1.7, 5.90 million viewers) and American Housewife (1.3, 4.77 million viewers) held steady.
On NBC, The Blacklist’s 1.0 demo score and 6.01 million viewers was up a tenth from its last episode in mid-November while Law & Order: SVU (1.4, 6.29 million viewers) & Chicago PD (1.3, 6.78 million viewers) each rose a tenth as well.
The CW aired reruns for the night.
