TV Ratings: Dolly Parton Beats ‘Empire’ in Total Viewers, but Cookie Wins in Demo
In the battle between Cookie and Dolly, Cookie wins, at least in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic. Fox’s “Empire” drew a series-low 2.8 rating in the 18-49 demo, but that was more than enough to beat out NBC’s “Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors” (1.7). The second of Dolly Parton’s Christmas-themed original movies attracted more total viewers, though, with an average audience of 11.5 million; “Empire” came in with 7.82 million. “Empire” lead-in “Lethal Weapon” garnered a 1.7 rating in the demo and 6.42 million viewers.
NBC’s annual telecast of the lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center drew a 1.7 in the demo and 10.51 million viewers. “Christmas of Many Colors” was down a tenth in the demo and about a million and a half total viewers from last year’s Parton pic, “Coat of Many Colors.”
The CW’s sprawling DC crossover continued to bring in a good-sized crowd. “Arrow” reeled in a 1.3 in the demo and 3.52 million total viewers for its 100th episode. “Frequency” didn’t benefit much, though, with a 0.3 in the demo and 1.08 million viewers.
On ABC, “The Goldbergs” pulled in a 1.7 and 5.9 million viewers. “Speechless” drew a low 1.5 and 4.93 million viewers. “Modern Family” came in with a 2.2 and 6.79 million viewers, while “Black-ish” ticked up to a 1.8 and 5.43 million viewers. “Designated Survivor” capped off the night with a slightly up 1.3 and 5.48 million viewers.
CBS’ “Survivor” nabbed a 1.9 in the demo and 8.77 million viewers. “Criminal Minds” weighed in with a 1.5 and 7.39 million viewers. “Code Black” ticked up to a 1.0 and 5.93 million viewers.
As a reminder, most of these shows will see lifts of 50% or more once viewing within three and seven days is counted. However, most of these gains won’t translate to the ratings networks guarantee advertisers.
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