TV Ratings: 'A Gifted Man' debuts well, 'Nikita' matches series low

Fast National ratings for Friday, Sept. 23, 2011

The first Friday of the new TV season made for moderate debuts, at best, for returning series. CBS's freshman drama "A Gifted Man" was a success with 9.3 million viewers.

While FOX had its best fall premiere Friday in six years, the "Fringe" season premiere was down 21% from last year's season opener -- which, of course, was on a Thursday. It was up from last year's finale, though, which is good news, because the FOX execs have made it clear that they don't expect the "Fringe" audience to grow.

The CW's openers were lackluster. The premiere of "Nikita," moved from Thursday, tied its series low. "Supernatural," while on par with its Season 6 finale, was down 25% from its Season 6 premiere.


In average viewers, CBS won with 10.6 million viewers and a 6.9 rating/12 share in households. With only reruns and "Dateline," NBC took second place at 5.7 million (4.0/7). ABC (3.7 million, 2.6/4) and FOX (3.6 million, 2.3/4) were quite close, with The CW trailing with 1.9 million and a 1.2/2 share.

In the adults 18-49 demographic, CBS won with a 1.7. FOX and NBC tied at 1.6, with ABC pulling a 1.0. The CW averaged 0.7. 

Wednesday hour by hour:

8 p.m.
CBS: "A Gifted Man" series premiere (9.31 million, 6.2/11)
ABC: "Modern Family" rerun (3.9 million, 2.6/5)
FOX: "Kitchen Nightmares" season premiere (3.84 million viewers, 2.2/4 households)
NBC: "Up All Night" rerun (3.1 million, 2.3/4)/"Whitney" rerun (3.0 million, 2.2/4)
The CW: "Nikita" Season premiere (1.8 million, 1.3/2)

18-49 leader: "Kitchen Nightmares" (1.6)

9 p.m.

CBS: "CSI: NY" season premiere (10.6 million, 6.8/12)
NBC: "Dateline" (3.1 million, 2.2/4)
ABC: "Revenge" repeat (4.1 million, 2.8/5)
FOX: "Fringe" season premiere (3.5 million, 2.1/4)
The CW: "Supernatural" season premiere (1.9 million, 1.2/2)

18-49 leader: "CSI: NY" (1.8)

10 p.m.

CBS: "Blue Bloods" season premiere (11.8 million, 7.7/13)
NBC: "Dateline" (7.8 million, 5.3/9)
ABC: "20/20" (3.3 million, 2.3/4)

18-49 leader: "Dateline" (2.2)

Ratings information includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change. Source: The Nielsen Company.

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