This is not an official press release, but here are the ratings notes from FOX (worth it for the "Martin" reference alone!):
For the first time ever FOX’s Thursday Premiere night outperformed NBC’s Thursday Premiere night among Adults 18-49.
FOX delivered its highest rated Thursday night with an entire lineup of scripted programming in over three years among Adults 18-49 (since 5/18/06 with That ’70s Show/That ‘70s Show/The OC) and in 12 and a half years in Total Viewers (since 1/30/97 with Martin/Living Single/New York Undercover.)
FOX won the night among Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54 and ranked No. 2 in Adults 18-34 and Teens.
Last night was the first time in 17 years that FOX won a Thursday night among Adults 18-49 with an entire lineup of scripted programming (since 8/27/92 with Simpsons/Martin/Heights).
The season premiere of Bones posted a 3.0/9 among Adults 18-49 and matched its Thursday premiere last season in Adults 18-49 (3.0/8 on 1/22/09) and showed growth of +1% in Total Viewers (10.1 vs. 10.0 Mil.) In addition, Bones outperformed its Thursday average last season by +11% among Adults 18-49 (3.0/9 vs. 2.7/8), by +10% among Adults 18-34 (2.3/8 vs. 2.1/7) and by +7% among Total Viewers (10.1 vs. 9.4 Mil).
Compared to FOX's Fall'08 time period performance with regular programming, Bones is up +76% among Adults 18-49 (3.0/9 vs. 1.7/5), +35% among Adults 18-34 (2.3/8 vs. 1.7/5) and +153% among Total Viewers (10.1 vs. 4.0 Mil). In the 8p hour, the season premiere of Bones significantly out-delivered NBC's season premieres of SNL Update and Parks and Recreation by +43% among Adults 18-49 (3.0/9 vs. 2.1/6), +15% among Adults 18-34 (2.3/8 vs. 2.0/7)) and +91% among Total Viewers (10.1 vs. 5.3 Mil.).
Bones ranked No. 2 in the hour among Adults 18-49 and No. 1 in Adults 18-34 (tie).
FRINGE
The season premiere of FRINGE delivered a 2.9/8 among Adults 18-49 and ranked No. 2 in the 9p hour among Adults 18-49 and Adults 18-34 and No. 1 in Men 25-54. In the 9p hour FRINGE outperformed the NBC premiere block of The Office and Community by +1% in Total Viewers (8.0 vs. 7.9 Mil.)
FRINGE showed substantial gains compared to FOX’s regular programming in the time period last Fall, increasing +53% among Adults 18-49 (2.9/8 vs. 1.9/5) and +86% among Adults 18-34 (8.0 vs. 4.3 Mil.)
Competition
ABC ran repeats of Grey’s Anatomy (1.5/4) and Private Practice (1.0/3).
On CBS, Survivor: Samoa (3.5/11) delivered the show’s lowest opener ever, dropping -22% from last fall’s Survivor: Gabon premiere episode (4.5/12 on 9/25/08) and -20% below last spring’s Survivor: Tocantins debut (4.4/13 on 2/12/09). CSI (2.0/6) and The Mentalist (1.9/6) were repeats.
Following an SNL: Weekend Update In Primetime special (2.0/7) at 8p, the season two premiere of NBC comedy Parks & Recreation delivered a 2.1/6 at 830p, down -30% from its series launch last spring (3.0/9 on 4/9/09) and -34% from the series premiere of Kath & Kim in the time period last fall (3.2/9 on 10/9/08). The Office (4.0/11) started the 09/10 season with its lowest rated premiere in over four years (since its series debut on 3/29/05 posted a 2.7/6), dropping -18% from its season opener last year (4.9/12 on 9/25/08). At 930p, new series Community (3.7/10) fell -10% from 30 Rock’s 08/09 launch in the time period last fall (4.1/10 on 10/30/08), while at 10p, night four of The Jay Leno Show (2.7/8) posted its lowest rating to date, down -34% from its prior average this week (4.1/11).
The second episodes of the CW’s Vampire Diaries (1.6/5) and Supernatural (1.2/3) fell from their premieres last week, dropping -24% and -14%, respectively (2.1/7 & 1.4/4).
Though I am not a religious viewer of Bones (It’s on my tvondvd must list, which is unfortunately 50+ titles long) I must congratulate it on its consistent delivery through out the years. I do not recall specifically, but in year five it is doing just as well; if not better than year one. I must also congratulate FOX for sticking with this show and finding it an ideal time slot on it’s now formerly problem ridden Thursday night schedule. Kudos to Fox and the cast and crew of Bones.
P.S. Long live ANGEL! Well, more so may David Boreanaz have continued success in his career.
Boreanaz’ character is such a pale shadow of what it was on Angel (even on Angel’s bad episodes), that it is almost painful to watch Bones. The show is fine, but it is just an insanely unrealistic jokey procedural, and he could do so much better.
I knew Bones and Fringe would be a good combo on thursdays. Thursdays for FOX will be a lot better than recent years.
I think Bones is so much better than Angel. I loved Thursday night with Fox Bones and Fringe are a terrific combob.
Bones has been a very good and very solid show since it’s Pilot debuted and I’m so happy to see it reaping the rewards of it’s hard work. Congrats to all the cast and crew of Bones. I wish them all continued success.
I knew that Bones/Fringe would be OUTSTANDING for FOX!
Although I loved the character of Angel, there were so many times that I hated the show. Bones is overall a MUCH better vehicle for David Boreanaz and I’m glad to see his career blossoming now.
finally bones gets the credit it deserves:):):)
and D.B is much better as Booth than he was Angel:):)
and people should start looking over his old Angel character and look how great a character Booth is for D.B
Congratulations to Bones!! I begin watching during the summer catching it on TNT and was blown away, by the cast and stories. I loved the premiere. Loved Caroline scenes, she adds so much to the show in all of her scenes. Booth and Cam are such great friends and heat up the screen although they’re no longer a couple. I love seeing these two in any capacity. I’m looking forward to next weeks show.
congrats to bones,
\i love bones so much more than angel, i like realistic drama that appeals to adults. I feel in my bones that this season will be the best