The War of 18-49 began in summer 2010 with me digging up old articles and press releases to fill out the ratings history of TV shows whose pasts I was unfamilar with. Now it's this blog's biggest ongoing project. Except in a very few cases where the early data isn't available, I trace veteran primetime shows' adults 18-49 ratings history all the way back to the beginning and look at how the ratings have evolved.
ONGOING SHOWS:
911 (Fox/ABC, 2018-)
All American (CW, 2018-)
The Amazing Race (CBS, 2001-)
America's Got Talent (NBC, 2006-)
American Dad! (Fox/TBS, 2005-)
American Horror Story (FX, 2011-)
American Idol (Fox/ABC, 2002-)
American Ninja Warrior (NBC, 2012-)
Archer (FX/COMEDY CENTRAL/FXX, 2010-)
The Bachelor/The Bachelorette (ABC, 2002-)
Big Brother (CBS, 2000-)
The Blacklist (NBC, 2013-)
Blue Bloods (CBS, 2010-)
Bob's Burgers (Fox, 2011-)
Bob Hearts Abishola (CBS, 2019-)
Chicago Fire (NBC, 2012-)
Chicago Med (NBC, 2015-)
Chicago PD (NBC, 2014-)
The Conners (ABC, 2018-)
Dancing with the Stars (ABC, 2005-)
The Equalizer (CBS, 2021-) (NEW!)
Family Guy (Fox, 1999-)
FBI (CBS, 2018-)
FBI: Most Wanted (CBS, 2020-)
The Flash (CW, 2014-)
The Good Doctor (ABC, 2017-)
The Great North (Fox, 2021-) (NEW!)
Grey's Anatomy (ABC, 2005-)
Hell's Kitchen (Fox, 2005-)
Kitchen Nightmares (Fox, 2007-)
Law and Order (NBC, 1990-)
Law and Order: Organized Crime (NBC, 2021-) (NEW!)
Law and Order: SVU (NBC, 1999-)
Magnum P.I. (CBS/NBC, 2018-)
The Masked Singer (Fox, 2019-)
MasterChef/MasterChef Junior (Fox, 2010-)
NCIS (CBS, 2003-)
The Neighborhood (CBS, 2018-)
The Rookie (ABC, 2018-)
S.W.A.T. (CBS, 2017-)
Shark Tank (ABC, 2009-)
The Simpsons (Fox, 1989-)
So You Think You Can Dance (Fox, 2005-)
Station 19 (ABC, 2018-)
Survivor (CBS, 2000-)
The Voice (NBC, 2011-)
Walker (CW, 2021-) (NEW!)
The Walking Dead (AMC, 2010-)
Wipeout/Winter Wipeout (ABC/TBS/TEENNICK, 2008-)
Young Sheldon (CBS, 2017-)
ENDED SHOWS:
The 100 (CW, 2014-2020)
2 Broke Girls (CBS, 2011-2017)
24 (Fox, 2001-2014)
30 Rock (NBC, 2006-2013)
8 Simple Rules (ABC, 2002-2005)
90210 (CW, 2008-2013)
A Million Little Things (ABC, 2018-2023)
According to Jim (ABC, 2001-2009)
Agents of SHIELD (ABC, 2013-2020)
Alias (ABC, 2001-2006)
America's Next Top Model (UPN/CW/VH1, 2003-2018)
American Housewife (ABC, 2016-2021)
The Americans (FX, 2013-2018)
The Apprentice/Celebrity Apprentice (NBC, 2004-2017)
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (Fox, 2007-2015)
Army Wives (Lifetime, 2007-2013)
Arrow (CW, 2012-2020)
Bates Motel (A&E, 2013-2017)
Beauty and the Beast (CW, 2012-2016)
The Bernie Mac Show (Fox, 2001-2006)
Better Off Ted (ABC, 2009-2010)*
The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 2007-2019)
The Biggest Loser (NBC, 2004-2016)
Black-ish (ABC, 2014-2022)
Black Lightning (CW, 2018-2021)
Blindspot (NBC, 2015-2020)
Boardwalk Empire (HBO, 2010-2014)
Bones (Fox, 2005-2017)
Boston Legal (ABC, 2004-2008)
Breaking Bad (AMC, 2008-2013)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox/NBC, 2013-2021)
Brothers and Sisters (ABC, 2006-2011)
Bull (CBS, 2016-2022)
Burn Notice (USA, 2007-2013)
Castle (ABC, 2009-2016)
Charmed (CW, 1999-2022)
Chuck (NBC, 2007-2012)
The Cleveland Show (Fox, 2009-2013)
Cold Case (CBS, 2003-2010)
Community (NBC, 2009-2014)
Cougar Town (ABC/TBS, 2009-2015)
Covert Affairs (USA, 2010-2014)
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (CW, 2015-2019)
Criminal Minds (CBS, 2005-2020)
CSI (CBS, 2000-2015)
CSI: Miami (CBS, 2002-2012)
CSI: NY (CBS, 2004-2013)
Deal or No Deal (NBC/CNBC, 2005-2019)
Desperate Housewives (ABC, 2004-2012)
Dollhouse (Fox, 2009-2010)*
Drop Dead Diva (Lifetime, 2009-2014)
Dynasty (CW, 2017-2022)
Elementary (CBS, 2012-2019)
Empire (Fox, 2015-2020)
ER (NBC, 1994-2009)
Everwood (CW, 2002-2006)
Everybody Hates Chris (UPN/CW, 2005-2009)
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC, 2003-2012)
Falling Skies (TNT, 2011-2015)
Flashpoint (CBS, 2008-2011)
Fresh Off the Boat (ABC, 2015-2020)
Friday Night Lights (NBC, 2006-2011)
Friends (NBC, 1994-2004)*
Fringe (Fox, 2008-2013)
The Game (CW/BET, 2006-2015)
Game of Thrones (HBO/HBO PRIME, 2011-2019)
Ghost Whisperer (CBS, 2005-2010)
The Glades (A&E, 2010-2013)
Glee (Fox, 2009-2015)
The Goldbergs (ABC, 2013-2023)
Good Girls (NBC, 2018-2021)
The Good Place (NBC, 2016-2020)
The Good Wife (CBS, 2009-2016)
Gossip Girl (CW, 2007-2012)
Gotham (Fox, 2014-2019)
Grimm (NBC, 2011-2017)
Hart of Dixie (CW, 2011-2015)
Hawaii Five-0 (CBS, 2010-2020)
Hell on Wheels (AMC, 2011-2016)
Heroes (NBC, 2006-2010)
Homeland (Showtime, 2011-2020)
House (Fox, 2004-2012)
How I Met Your Mother (CBS, 2005-2014)
How to Get Away with Murder (ABC, 2014-2020)
iZombie (CW, 2015-2019)
Jane the Virgin (CW, 2014-2019)
Jericho (CBS, 2006-2008)*
Jersey Shore (MTV, 2009-2012)
Justified (FX, 2010-2015)
Last Comic Standing (NBC, 2003-2015)
The Last Man on Earth (Fox, 2015-2018)
Last Man Standing (ABC/Fox, 2011-2021)
Law and Order: CI (NBC/USA, 2001-2011)
Legacies (CW, 2018-2022)
Legends of Tomorrow (CW, 2016-2022)
Leverage (TNT, 2008-2012)
Lie to Me (Fox, 2009-2011)*
Life (NBC, 2007-2009)*
Life in Pieces (CBS, 2015-2019)
Lost (ABC, 2004-2010)
MacGyver (CBS, 2016-2021)
Madam Secretary (CBS, 2014-2019)
Man with a Plan (CBS, 2016-2020)
Medium (NBC/CBS, 2005-2011)
The Mentalist (CBS, 2008-2015)
The Middle (ABC, 2009-2018)
Mike and Molly (CBS, 2010-2016)
Mistresses (ABC, 2013-2016)
Modern Family (ABC, 2009-2020)
Mom (CBS, 2013-2021)
Moonlight (CBS, 2007-2008)*
My Name is Earl (NBC, 2005-2009)
Nashville (ABC/CMT, 2012-2018)
NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS, 2009-2023)
NCIS: New Orleans (CBS, 2014-2021)
The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS, 2006-2010)
New Amsterdam (NBC, 2018-2023)
New Girl (Fox, 2011-2018)
The Night Shift (NBC, 2014-2017)
Nikita (CW, 2010-2013)
Numb3rs (CBS, 2005-2010)
The OC (Fox, 2003-2007)
The Office (NBC, 2005-2013)
Once Upon a Time (ABC, 2011-2018)
One Tree Hill (CW, 2003-2012)
The Originals (CW, 2013-2018)
Parenthood (NBC, 2010-2015)
Parks and Recreation (NBC, 2009-2015)
Person of Interest (CBS, 2011-2016)
Pretty Little Liars (Freeform/FREEFORM, 2010-2017)
Prison Break (Fox, 2005-2017)
Private Practice (ABC, 2007-2013)
Pushing Daisies (ABC, 2007-2009)*
Raising Hope (Fox, 2010-2014)
Ray Donovan (Showtime/SHOWTIME PRIME, 2013-2020)
Reaper (CW, 2007-2009)*
Reba (CW, 2001-2007)
Reign (CW, 2013-2017)
The Resident (Fox, 2018-2023)
Revenge (ABC, 2011-2015)
Riverdale (CW, 2017-2023)
Rizzoli and Isles (TNT/TURNER NETWORK TELEVISION, 2010-2016)
Rookie Blue (ABC, 2010-2015)
Royal Pains (USA, 2009-2016)
Rules of Engagement (CBS, 2007-2013)
Scandal (ABC, 2012-2018)
Scorpion (CBS, 2014-2018)
Scrubs (NBC/ABC, 2001-2010)
SEAL Team (CBS, 2017-2021)
The Secret Life of the American Teenager (Freeform, 2008-2013)
Shameless (Showtime, 2011-2021)
Silicon Valley (HBO/HBO PRIME, 2014-2019)
Sleepy Hollow (Fox, 2013-2017)
Smallville (CW, 2001-2011)
Sons of Anarchy (FX, 2008-2014)
Southland (NBC/TNT, 2009-2013)
Suits (USA, 2011-2019)
Supergirl (CBS/CW, 2015-2021)
Supernanny (ABC/LIFETIME TELEVISION, 2005-2020)
Supernatural (CW, 2005-2020)
Superstore (NBC, 2015-2021)
Swingtown (CBS, 2008-2008)*
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (Fox, 2008-2009)*
This Is Us (NBC, 2016-2022)
Til Death (Fox, 2006-2010)
True Blood (HBO, 2008-2014)
Two and a Half Men (CBS, 2003-2015)
Ugly Betty (ABC, 2006-2010)
Undercover Boss (CBS, 2010-2022)
Unforgettable (CBS/A&E, 2011-2016)
The Unit (CBS, 2006-2009)
The Vampire Diaries (CW, 2009-2017)
Veronica Mars (UPN/CW, 2004-2007)
Vikings (History/HISTORY, 2013-2020)
Warehouse 13 (Syfy, 2009-2014)
White Collar (USA, 2009-2014)
Wife Swap/Celebrity Wife Swap (ABC/LIFETIME TELEVISION/PARAMOUNT, 2004-2020)
Without a Trace (CBS, 2002-2009)
The X Factor (Fox, 2011-2013)
*- denotes 'flashback' post for shows with shorter runs/incomplete info
Can't find your show? It might be on one of these pages:
(NEW!) Post-2020 Scripted Series: ABC | CBS | NBC | Fox | CW
News & Sports Series (NEW!)
Pre-2001 Comedies
Pre-2001 Dramas
YEARLY INDICES:
2023-24 | 2022-23 | 2021-22 | 2020-21 | 2019-20 | 2018-19 | 2017-18 | 2016-17 | 2015-16 | 2014-15 | 2013-14 | 2012-13 | 2011-12 | 2010-11 | 2009-10 | 2008-09 | 2007-08 | 2006-07 | 2005-06 | 2004-05
BUREAUCRATIC:
Summer 2010 Intro 1
Summer 2010 Intro 2
Summer 2010 Post-mortem
Winter 2010 Intro
Summer 2011 Intro
Summer 2013 Intro (introducing 'Now')
Summer 2014 Intro (introducing separate raw/Plus tables)
The Breakdown Grading Rubric (explanation of grades)
Saturday, August 28, 2010
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19 comments:
It's possible to get the ratings [adults 18-49] of Friends?
Wow. This is amazing. I've always wanted to know the 18-49 series high's for shows like CSI and Idol. Thankyou!
I have one question. What's the highest 18-49 you have recorded (Excluding sports). Survivors 22.8 may be the highest I've seen so far.
Thanks for the kind words! I believe the highest rating out of the War of 18-49 shows is a 25.8 for the season 4 finale of ER. I know Friends got a 28.2 after the Super Bowl.
Could you possibly do a post on Friends!? I know that show used to pull HUGE numbers.
I might try to do something on Friends at some point, although I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to find the 18-49 ratings on a consistent basis beyond the last season or two.
That would be great! Do you know what Friends' highest rating was for a regularly scheduled episode? (ie. not including the 28.2 for the Super Bowl and the 24.9 for the series finale).
Now that it's got a year under its belt, could you include "Person of Interest" (full ratings for last season) on your list? I think it's going to be around for awhile. Great site! Thanks.
Still researching, but I'm pretty sure the answer here is "The One Where Rachel Has a Baby," the season 8 finale (17.0 on 5/16/02)
I don't do full-fledged War of 18-49 posts till the show has aired four seasons, but you can get all the PoI ratings here: http://www.spottedratings.com/2012/09/spotvault-person-of-interest-cbs-2012.html
I don't know where to ask this, so I'll post it around!
I have two questions:
1. In September 2005, as you know, Desperate Housewives premiered to an 8.9 adults 18–49 rating. What would that equate to in terms of today's ratings? I wonder the same thing about Grey's Anatomy, which premiered to a 7.2 adults 18–49 rating in March 2005. I understand you may only be able to come up with a ballpark estimate, but I'd be pleased with just that.
2. I know that Super Bowl XLVI in February 2012 stands as the most-viewed telecast in television history, but what is the highest-rated (adults 18–49) telecast in television history?
I'd be thrilled if you can answer these questions!
The following shows will have aired four seasons by the end of the 2012-13 season:
Shark Tank
Modern Family
The Middle
Cougar Town
NCIS: Los Angeles
The Good Wife
Undercover Boss
The Vampire Diaries
The Cleveland Show
Glee
The Voice
Community
Will you be doing War of 18-49 posts for these shows? I'm sure there's more on cable, but these are all I can think of.
Yes
Okay, good! :-)
I recently came across an Ad Age article that says the 1993 Cheers series finale got a 42.6/76 A18-49 rating and the 1998 Seinfeld series finale got a 38.7/72 A18-49 rating. Are these whopping numbers accurate? That 42.6 is the highest A18-49 rating I've ever seen!
I'm flattered that you would ask me to verify numbers in Ad Age! :) If they're there, they are almost certainly correct. I don't have any other info dating that far back.
Just to let you know: the So You Think You Can Dance link is wrong I think, it links to the ratings archives page, not the war 18-49 page.
Thanks!
Can we expect a War 18-49 post for Scandal once it has ended its fourth season run?
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