TV Ratings: ‘How to Get Away with Murder,’ ‘The Blacklist’ Premieres Notch Triple-Digit L7 Gains

The ratings picture for the season premieres of ABC’s “How to Get Away with Murder” and NBC’s “The Blacklist” improved dramatically with a week of time-shifted viewing factored in.

“HTGAWM” rose 107% from its live-same-day mark to a 2.9 rating in adults 18-49 for its third season opener. “The Blacklist” climbed 112% to a 2.7 for its season four bow. Both shows are still down from their year-ago marks. But the lift in Nielsen’s L7 ratings for Sept. 22, which were released Saturday, is a welcome sign to the networks that viewers are still seeking out the dramas, albeit on their own timetables.

ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” not surprisingly, was also among the big gainers on the first Thursday of the 2016-17 season. The veteran hospital drama spiked 59% in adults 18-49 to a 4.0 demo rating. NBC’s “Chicago Med” improved a full ratings point, or 72%, to a 2.4 demo rating.

Fox’s much-praised new baseball drama “Pitch” had a bit of a bounce, growing 72% from a 1.0 rating to 1.8 rating, probably due to strong word of mouth. That was a better sign than the lack of lift for its 8 p.m. companion “Rosewood,” which only mustered a 1.2 in the demo coming off a 0.7 live-same-day rating.

In total viewers, the biggest premiere Thursday gainer was “Blacklist,” which grew 82% to 11.7 million viewers from 6.4 million. “HTGAWM” saw a 73% lift to 8.9 million. “Pitch” was up 56% to 6.6 million.

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