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Final 2009-10 Broadcast Primetime Show 18-49 Ratings

Categories: Broadcast TV,Fall 2009 TV Schedule

Written By

June 16th, 2010

Finally! We've got the 2009-10 season's ratings for broadcast primetime shows.

In a series of posts, I will post Live + Same Day adults 18-49 ratings, Live + Same Day viewership, plus Live + 7 day ratings. All of these posts will include measurements for only original episodes, not repeats, for all shows with at least 2 original telecasts.

If you’d like to see the same list of 2009-10 broadcast primetime shows ranked by average viewership click here.

2009-10 Broadcast Primetime Shows Ranked By Live + Same Day Adults 18-49 Ratings

Rank Show Net Day Time # Telecasts 18-49 Rating (Live+SD) Avg. Viewers (000s, Live+SD)
1 American Idol-TUESDAY FOX Tue 8:00 PM 20 8.3 22,974
2 American Idol-WEDNESDAY FOX Wed VAR 20 7.7 21,951
3 NBC Sunday Night Football NBC Sun VAR 14 7.2 18,738
4 FOX NFL SUNDAY-POST GUN 1 FOX Sun VAR 8 6.5 16,827
5 CBS NFL NATL POST GUN CBS Sun VAR 7 6.3 19,509
6 Undercover Boss CBS Sun VAR 8 6.1 17,807
7 Big Bang Theory, THE CBS Mon VAR 23 5.3 14,143
8 OT, THE FOX Sun VAR 7 5.0 12,820
9 HOUSE FOX Mon VAR 21 4.9 12,763
10 Two and a Half Men CBS Mon 9:00 PM 22 4.9 14,945
11 SUNDAY NIGHT NFL PRE-KICK NBC Sun 8:22 PM 14 4.9 13,852
12 GREY'S ANATOMY-THU 9PM ABC Thu 9:00 PM 22 4.8 13,259
13 LOST ABC Tue 9:00 PM 15 4.3 10,084
14 Desperate Housewives ABC Sun 9:00 PM 23 4.2 12,823
15 Dancing with the Stars ABC Mon 8:00 PM 20 4.2 19,125
16 NCIS CBS Tue 8:00 PM 24 4.1 19,327
17 OFFICE NBC Thu 9:00 PM 23 4.0 7,799
18 Glee FOX VAR VAR 17 4.0 9,335
19 BACHELOR, THE ABC Mon 8:00 PM 9 4.0 11,597
20 Family Guy FOX Sun VAR 19 3.9 7,611
21 SURVIVOR: HEROES-VILLAINS CBS Thu 8:00 PM 12 3.9 12,599
22 Modern Family ABC Wed 9:00 PM 24 3.8 9,389
23 SURVIVOR: SAMOA CBS Thu 8:00 PM 12 3.8 12,339
24 Biggest Loser 8 NBC Tue VAR 12 3.7 9,614
25 Criminal Minds CBS Wed 9:00 PM 23 3.6 13,695
26 CSI: MIAMI CBS Mon VAR 24 3.6 12,653
27 How I Met Your Mother CBS Mon 8:00 PM 24 3.5 8,729
28 NCIS: LOS ANGELES CBS Tue 9:00 PM 24 3.5 16,082
29 HELL'S KITCHEN FOX Tue 8:00 PM 4 3.5 7,385
30 FOOTBALL NT AMERICA PT 3 NBC Sun VAR 14 3.5 9,840
31 Mentalist, THE CBS Thu VAR 23 3.4 15,368
32 CSI CBS Thu VAR 23 3.4 14,918
33 V ABC Tue VAR 5 3.4 9,747
34 Biggest Loser 9 NBC Tue VAR 19 3.4 8,660
35 Simpsons FOX Sun VAR 23 3.4 7,092
36 Amazing Race 15 CBS Sun VAR 11 3.4 11,137
37 Private Practice ABC Thu VAR 21 3.3 9,154
38 Amazing Race 16 CBS Sun VAR 11 3.2 10,404
39 CLEVELAND FOX Sun VAR 19 3.1 6,384
40 DANCING W/STARS RESULTS ABC Tue VAR 18 3.1 14,811
41 CSI: NY CBS Wed VAR 23 3.0 12,662
42 Rules of Engagement CBS Mon VAR 13 3.0 7,915
43 Cougar Town ABC Wed 9:30 PM 24 2.9 7,011
44 Bones FOX Thu 8:00 PM 21 2.9 10,018
45 24 FOX VAR VAR 20 2.9 9,308
46 BROTHERS & Sisters ABC Sun VAR 23 2.9 9,067
47 American Dad FOX Sun VAR 17 2.9 5,940
48 ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE CBS VAR VAR 18 2.9 7,821
49 30 Rock NBC Thu VAR 20 2.8 5,880
50 APPRENTICE 9 NBC Sun 9:00 PM 11 2.8 7,372
51 Law And Order:SVU NBC Wed VAR 22 2.7 8,807
52 Lie To Me FOX Mon VAR 10 2.7 7,386
53 Good Wife, THE CBS Tue VAR 23 2.7 13,123
54 Extreme Makeover:HM ED-8P ABC Sun VAR 24 2.7 9,255
55 Parenthood NBC Tue 10:00 PM 13 2.6 6,393
56 CASTLE ABC Mon VAR 24 2.6 10,254
57 MARRIAGE REF NBC VAR VAR 12 2.4 5,860
58 Human Target FOX VAR VAR 11 2.4 8,225
59 SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-WED FOX Wed 8:00 PM 11 2.4 6,347
60 SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-TUE FOX Tue VAR 10 2.4 5,933
61 ROMANTICALLY CHALLENGED ABC Mon 9:32 PM 4 2.4 9,270
62 60 Minutes CBS Sun VAR 31 2.4 13,075
63 FRINGE FOX Thu 9:00 PM 21 2.3 6,252
64 V-TUE ABC Tue 10:02 PM 8 2.3 5,718
65 HEROES NBC Mon VAR 17 2.3 5,206
66 MIDDLE, THE ABC Wed 8:30 PM 23 2.3 6,899
67 FLASHFORWARD ABC Thu 8:00 PM 20 2.2 7,255
68 COLD CASE CBS Sun VAR 20 2.2 9,550
69 GARY UNMARRIED CBS Wed 8:30 PM 17 2.2 6,648
70 COMMUNITY NBC Thu VAR 24 2.1 4,990
71 Chuck NBC Mon 8:00 PM 16 2.1 5,991
72 Parks and Recreation NBC Thu 8:30 PM 23 2.1 4,599
73 OLD CHRISTINE CBS Wed 8:00 PM 21 2.0 6,741
74 AMER FUNN HOME VIDEOS ABC Sun VAR 23 2.0 7,678
75 SONS OF TUCSON FOX Sun VAR 3 2.0 4,117
76 COPS 2 FOX Sat VAR 2 2.0 5,938
77 JAY LENO SHOW-TUE NBC Tue 10:01 PM 18 2.0 6,032
78 GHOST WHISPERER CBS Fri 8:00 PM 22 1.9 7,766
79 SAT NIGHT FOOTBALL ABC Sat VAR 9 1.9 6,270
80 Minute To Win It NBC Sun 8:00 PM 9 1.9 5,754
81 MEDIUM CBS Fri VAR 22 1.8 7,789
82 NUMB3RS CBS Fri VAR 16 1.8 8,274
83 FORGOTTEN, THE ABC Tue VAR 15 1.8 6,490
84 SNL WKND UPDATE-PRIME NBC Thu 8:00 PM 2 1.8 4,800
85 THREE RIVERS CBS Sun VAR 8 1.8 7,961
86 PRIMETIME:WHAT WOULD U DO ABC Fri 9:00 PM 3 1.8 5,684
87 FOOTBALL NT AMERICA PT 2 NBC Sun 7:30 PM 15 1.8 4,898
88 Vampire Diaries CW Thu 8:00 PM 20 1.7 3,600
89 EASTWICK ABC Wed VAR 11 1.7 4,952
90 J. OLIVER'S FOOD REVOLUTN ABC Fri 9:00 PM 5 1.7 4,924
91 TRAUMA NBC Mon 9:00 PM 18 1.7 5,247
92 20/20-FRI ABC Fri 10:00 PM 32 1.7 6,274
93 FIND MY FAMILY ABC Mon VAR 5 1.7 6,438
94 AMW: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK FOX Sat VAR 27 1.7 5,172
95 Law And Order NBC VAR VAR 20 1.6 6,992
96 MERCY NBC Wed VAR 22 1.6 6,329
97 Kitchen Nightmares FOX Fri VAR 9 1.6 3,816
98 SCRUBS ABC Tue 9:00 PM 7 1.6 3,791
99 COPS FOX Sat 8:00 PM 23 1.6 4,831
100 HANK ABC Wed 8:00 PM 5 1.6 6,364
101 AMERICA'S Top Model-8 CW Wed 8:00 PM 11 1.5 3,288
102 AMERICA'S Top Model 7 CW Wed 8:00 PM 9 1.5 3,279
103 Shark Tank ABC VAR VAR 8 1.5 4,814
104 Who Do You Think You Are NBC Fri 8:00 PM 7 1.5 6,348
105 Dateline FRI NBC Fri VAR 25 1.5 6,913
106 JAY LENO SHOW-THU NBC Thu 10:01 PM 18 1.5 4,763
107 JAY LENO SHOW-WED NBC Wed 10:01 PM 18 1.5 5,176
108 UGLY BETTY ABC VAR VAR 18 1.4 4,482
109 DEEP END, THE ABC Thu 8:00 PM 6 1.4 5,351
110 48 Hours Mystery CBS Sat VAR 28 1.4 6,130
111 JAY LENO SHOW-MON NBC Mon 10:01 PM 20 1.4 4,668
112 HAPPY TOWN ABC Wed 10:01 PM 3 1.3 4,037
113 SCRUBS-TUE 8PM ABC Tue 8:00 PM 2 1.3 3,490
114 MIAMI MEDICAL CBS Fri 10:00 PM 8 1.3 6,604
115 JAY LENO SHOW-FRI NBC Fri 10:01 PM 16 1.3 5,152
116 Supernanny ABC Fri 8:00 PM 12 1.3 4,617
117 PAST LIFE FOX Thu 9:00 PM 2 1.3 4,409
118 SUPERNATURAL CW Thu 9:00 PM 20 1.2 2,641
119 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS NBC Fri 8:00 PM 3 1.2 3,848
120 WIFE SWAP ABC Fri 8:00 PM 6 1.2 3,675
121 ABC SATURDAY MOVIE ABC Sat 8:00 PM 2 1.2 3,545
122 Gossip Girl-MON CW Mon 9:00 PM 21 1.1 2,018
123 BETTER OFF TED ABC Tue 9:30 PM 7 1.1 2,928
124 One Tree Hill-MON CW Mon 8:00 PM 21 1.1 2,278
125 SAT NIGHT FTBL PRE-GAME ABC Sat 8:00 PM 9 1.1 4,284
126 Smallville CW Fri 8:00 PM 21 1.0 2,375
127 BETTER OFF TED-TUE 8:30PM ABC Tue 8:30 PM 3 1.0 2,554
128 TIL DEATH-SUN 7:30P FOX Sun VAR 8 1.0 2,619
129 Dateline SUN-7PM NBC Sun VAR 11 1.0 4,700
130 90210 CW Tue 8:00 PM 20 0.9 1,820
131 Life Unexpected CW Mon VAR 13 0.9 2,012
132 FOOTBALL NT AMERICA P1SUS NBC Sun 7:00 PM 15 0.9 3,230
133 BROTHERS FOX Fri 8:00 PM 4 0.9 2,397
134 DOLLHOUSE FOX Fri VAR 9 0.8 2,172
135 TIL DEATH-SUN 7P FOX Sun VAR 15 0.8 2,157
136 BROTHERS-SUN 7P FOX Sun VAR 7 0.8 2,066
137 MELROSE PLACE CW Tue 9:00 PM 16 0.7 1,292
138 TIL DEATH FOX Fri 8:31 PM 3 0.7 2,153
139 FLY GIRLS CW Wed 9:00 PM 7 0.4 1,022
140 HIGH SOCIETY CW Wed 9:30 PM 8 0.4 883

-
VAR = various timeslots

Time Shifted Viewing – Program ratings for national sources are produced in three streams of data – Live, Live+Same Day (Live+SD) and Live+7 Day. Time shifted figures account for incremental viewing that takes place with DVRs. Live+Same Day(Live+SD) include viewing during the same broadcast day as the original telecast, with a cut-off of 3:00AM local time when meters transmit daily viewing to Nielsen for processing. Live+7 Day ratings include incremental viewing that takes place during the 7 days following a telecast.

Nielsen TV Ratings: ©2010 The Nielsen Company. All Rights Reserved.

(20) Comments - Add Yours!

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  1. rob60990

    LOl Chuck at #72.

  2. WalthamDan

    Ugly Betty @ #108 sad

    the two Survivor shows really stayed flat between this rating as well as the volume of viewers

  3. cath

    Maybe a network should come up with a football competition with actual NFL teams where teams square off, play football and after each touchdown you have opposing team members sing a song with the viewers determining the best singer within 5 minutes and that would determine if the team gets the point after. That should be right there at the top.

  4. themurph2000

    Chuck down at #72 is bad, until you look and see NBC has only two scripted programs in the Top 50…and 30 Rock is #49.

  5. themurph2000

    Gotta like The Big Bang Theory's finish. If I were the cast, I'd send Don Cheadle in as Fender Rhodes and have him say to Les Moonves: “You know what Chuck Berry always used to say before going 1,2,3,4? PAY ME MY MONEY!”

  6. Salacious Crumb

    SNF had 17 games (the thursday opener counts):

    12.8 20.909 Titans/Steelers 9/10
    12.6 21.102 Bears/Packers 9/13
    15.1 24.817 Giants/Cowboys 9/20
    10.7 17.469 Colts/Cardinals 9/27
    11.0 18.416 Chargers/Steelers 10/4
    9.7 16.017 Colts/Titans 10/11
    10.9 18.170 Bears/Falcons 10/18
    9.1 14.975 Cardinals/Giants 10/25
    13.1 21.883 Cowboys/Eagles 11/8
    13.7 22.392 Patriots/Colts 11/15
    10.6 17.330 Eagles/Bears 11/22
    11.5 19.210 Steelers/Ravens 11/29
    12.5 20.889 Vikings/Cardinals 12/6
    12.7 20.882 Eagles/Giants 12/13
    11.0 18.187 Vikings/Panthers 12/20
    10.9 19.042 Cowboys/Redskins 12/27
    10.0 16.333 Bengals/Jets 1/3

  7. SJ

    Let me relish in this for just a second:

    The Good Wife – 2.7
    Parenthood – 2.6

    I know it's largely due to TGW's advantage of airing in the fall, but I'll still enjoy it for now.

    Troubling: Parks and Rec is the lowest-rated renewed non-Friday show. Also troubling: B&S is 0.4 below competitor PP. But even if B&S had averaged at 4.0 it would still be dunzo next year – order cut, 3

  8. Julia

    P&R and Community tie with Chuck for lowest rated non-Friday renewals. The thing is, P&R and Community are both high up on the $100k+ A18-49 index, so that probably helps a lot.

  9. AZ Bob

    Does the Survivor numbers include each season's two hour finale on Sunday? From the number of episodes indicated it looks as if it doesn't.

  10. forg

    I thought CW's highest ranking show was #101 with ANTM but I didn't notice Vampire Diaries is higher at #88, well CW really found a hit there.

    Modern Family at #22, woot! And The Office is still a top 20 show, nice!

    I was surprised Survivor didn't hit the top 20 too.

    And yay for Big Bang! I really hope it won't drop that hard with the schedule change

  11. WalthamDan

    Ugly Betty @ #108 sad

    the two Survivor shows really stayed flat between this rating as well as the volume of viewers

  12. cath

    Maybe a network should come up with a football competition with actual NFL teams where teams square off, play football and after each touchdown you have opposing team members sing a song with the viewers determining the best singer within 5 minutes and that would determine if the team gets the point after. That should be right there at the top.

  13. themurph2000

    Chuck down at #71 is bad, until you look and see NBC has only two scripted programs in the Top 50…and 30 Rock is #49.

  14. themurph2000

    Gotta like The Big Bang Theory's finish. If I were the cast, I'd send Don Cheadle in as Fender Rhodes and have him say to Les Moonves: “You know what Chuck Berry always used to say before going 1,2,3,4? PAY ME MY MONEY!”

  15. Salacious Crumb

    SNF had 17 games (the thursday opener counts):

    12.8 20.909 Titans/Steelers 9/10
    12.6 21.102 Bears/Packers 9/13
    15.1 24.817 Giants/Cowboys 9/20
    10.7 17.469 Colts/Cardinals 9/27
    11.0 18.416 Chargers/Steelers 10/4
    9.7 16.017 Colts/Titans 10/11
    10.9 18.170 Bears/Falcons 10/18
    9.1 14.975 Cardinals/Giants 10/25
    13.1 21.883 Cowboys/Eagles 11/8
    13.7 22.392 Patriots/Colts 11/15
    10.6 17.330 Eagles/Bears 11/22
    11.5 19.210 Steelers/Ravens 11/29
    12.5 20.889 Vikings/Cardinals 12/6
    12.7 20.882 Eagles/Giants 12/13
    11.0 18.187 Vikings/Panthers 12/20
    10.9 19.042 Cowboys/Redskins 12/27
    10.0 16.333 Bengals/Jets 1/3

  16. SJ

    Let me relish in this for just a second:

    The Good Wife – 2.7
    Parenthood – 2.6

    I know it's largely due to TGW's advantage of airing in the fall, but I'll still enjoy it for now.

    Troubling: Parks and Rec is the lowest-rated renewed non-Friday show. Also troubling: B&S is 0.4 below competitor PP. But even if B&S had averaged at 4.0 it would still be dunzo next year – order cut, 3 actors not returning and many others in talk to get their episode order cut even shorter…

  17. Julia

    P&R and Community tie with Chuck for lowest rated non-Friday renewals. The thing is, P&R and Community are both high up on the $100k+ A18-49 index, so that probably helps a lot.

  18. AZ Bob

    Does the Survivor numbers include each season's two hour finale on Sunday? From the number of episodes indicated it looks as if it doesn't.

  19. forg

    I thought CW's highest ranking show was #101 with ANTM but I didn't notice Vampire Diaries is higher at #88, well CW really found a hit there.

    Modern Family at #22, woot! And The Office is still a top 20 show, nice!

    I was surprised Survivor didn't hit the top 20 too.

    And yay for Big Bang! I really hope it won't drop that hard with the schedule change

  20. JR35

    Why would ABC include the “V” clips show with the first four episodes tally? Yes, it covered those, but it also aired nearly four months after the show went on hiatus. It didn't separate “FlashForward's” two runs- bcause it was i nthe same timeslot?

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