Midseason Ratings Report Card: CBS’ Best and Worst Performing Shows
Now that your broadcast-TV favorites are on holiday break, TVLine is looking at how each network’s shows are stacking up thus far in the 2021-22 TV season — starting with well-watched CBS.
Listed below is the average DEMO RATING for each CBS series (including Live+7 DVR playback, since the networks do take that metric into consideration at renewal/cancellation time). Alongside that is the TOTAL AUDIENCE for each program, as well as any noteworthy PERFORMANCE NOTES.
Each program’s RANK represents what is perhaps the most critical measure — how it is faring in the coveted 18-49 demo compared to other shows on CBS, since come springtime heads must roll to make room for shiny-and-new pilots. (Any ties in the demo were “broken” by total viewership. #TVLineHouseRules)
THE TVLINE BOTTOM LINE: Survivor‘s return after a year-and-a-half break proved that absence does make the heart grow fonder, as the reality-TV vet matched Fox’s Masked Singer and 9-1-1 as the fall’s top-rated entertainment program…. CBS is rightly pleased with both the numbers and critical acclaim that Ghosts, a rare single-cam com for the network, scared up…. NCIS, like all of TV (there is no steady or up anymore), took a dip but did not let slip of its title as the tube’s most watched program…. On the drama front, NCIS, NCIS: Hawai’i, CSI: Vegas, Bull and S.W.A.T. all improved their time slots in one way or another, which is all a network can really hope for…. Tough as Nails remains a questionable utility player, frittering away so much of its Survivor lead-in.
Which ranking most surprises or pleases you?
Want scoop on any of the above shows? Email InsideLine@tvline.com and your question may be answered via Matt’s Inside Line!
Ghosts at number 8 makes me happy! I expected it to be much lower. I hope it lasts more than this season
If you have HBO Max you can watch 3 seasons of the UK version of Ghosts
B Positive won’t make it to a third season. The second season, with many talented and likable stars, just isn’t as quirky and different as the first season. I think the overhaul and storyline reset was too much, too soon. And anytime a main character suddenly inherits millions of dollars, you know the show has lost it’s original premise.
The show should be fine for a third season renewal I think.
Yes, B Positive is the show for which I had the highest expectations and which has let me down the most. That wonderfully talented cast of star character actors has not been used wisely, and the network just needs to find a new vehicle for the talented Annaleigh Ashford that’s worthy of her gifts. This show ain’t it.
B Positive is great even in Season 2
The dog is the real star!
You know they made the changes because of the uproar over Middleditch. I’m surprised he even wants to be part of the show any longer (not that he’s on that much). Sadly, this is the type of show now that many CBS viewers like to watch. How do you think “Two Broke Girls” lasted for 6 seasons?
You are correct. I was seriously expecting CBS to drop him and surprised they did not. I’m happy he remains though the producers should have found a better (more entertaining?) way of pushing him to the background. Let’s face it, his ongoing problems are why this happened.
Thank you, Matt, for this very helpful chart. Your inclusion of the L+7 ratings makes this a far better barometer of broadcast shows than what most other websites offer. I look forward to the posts on the other networks.
US of Al has really underperformed in its times lot inbetween YS and Ghosts.
Tough as,Nails squandered it Prime time slot. I think CSI Vegas could have done so much more in that spot.
Shouldn’t 60 Minutes get a performance note as tv’s most watched newsmagazine?
I really enjoy The Neighborhood, United States of Al, B Positive, and Ghosts.
and i think tar might have the same uptick because people we’ll be intrested in the first 4 legs which were shot pre-pandemic and then the last 9 legs which were post pandemic and there weren’t issues like of losing a passport as it was all shot after the pandemic in one geographic region of the uk
What about the new show La Brea it’s a new show
Tough As Nails is meant to be an 8PM show. Dumb to put it at any other slot.
It’s going to perform roughly the same in any slot. It doesn’t have the level of interest that Big brother, Survivor or The Amazing Race has on the network. It’ll be cancelled when Phil Keoghan an reliably film TAR again.
Blue Bloods 12 years in and still strong. Will it get season 13 renewal?
I don’t see why not.
Network TV is becoming more comfort food viewing as opposed to anything daring or controversial which is the domain of streamers. So long as things remain like this a show like Blue Bloods will survive for a very long time especially because it can thrive on a Friday night. In an environment like this a reboot of Criminal Minds would thrive.
At least CBS avoids reality and live events in favor of scripted shows that it can later syndicate and earn money from. After the Moonves I have expected a menu of new reality, fame shows, Young and the Restless goes prime time as a means of slashing costs.
Criminal Minds (Seasons 1-10 only) on NETFLIX often rates #1 in the most watched library title on the streamer! It’s also a top show (All seasons) for a library title on PARAMOUNT PLUS – they’ve been talking about brining it back – but it’s a slow – back burner thing.
Ghosts has (very deservedly) exceeded expectations. CBS has to be very pleased -I truly wouldn’t be surprised if it got an official renewal for Season 2 in the next couple months.
Just started watching this show — it is a really fun show! Funny, Funny, Funny! Great characters!
no idea why so many people watch Young Sheldon, the show is just unfunny, very boring family melodrama spiced with a couple of jokes per episode
Never got into this show. Seems pleasant enough, though but not particularly interesting to me.
Well, to each his/her own. I think Young Sheldon is by far the best sitcom on TV today. Brilliant writing and great family relationships. No other sitcoms even comes close.
Bob ❤️ Abishola
Surprised it’s that low.
Let us know when NCIS Hawaii improves so I can watch it.
Yeah, I wouldn’t be holding my breath LOL
Survivor is crap now.
Not according to most people, it seems.
I love a positive I really think it should get a better rating! I look forward to watching
I am so proud of Survivor for Tieing for the #1 rated show on broadcast television. 41 season later thats amazing.
Any word on how CBS or other nets are taking into account any data they have from their owned & operated streaming platforms? Do any of the metrics include Paramount+ data? V curious to see if Nielsen numbers will continue to drive decision making in the same way.
Networks are definitely taking into account data from their own streaming platforms as well as other revenue sources such as leasing to other platforms.One can see how the reputable media sites have been shifting their reporting away from strictly focusing on Live + overnights to take in other factors.
Don’t forget CBS’s own website has the 5 most recent episodes of EVERY show on the network FOR FREE with ads…people seem to forget that!
Blame ViacomCBS pushing Paramount Plus and trying to move the free CBS on line viewers over to the pay P+.
why do people continue to watch ncis, a show clearly past it’s prime? and i don’t get the fascination with young sheldon, a show that is literally relying on the same tropes and punchlines as BBT…
Thank you TVLine for publishing this chart/list. The Los Angeles Times used to publish the weekly Neilson chart (Tuesday or Wednesday). I really wish TVLine would do the same. It is always nice to see how shows rank amongst themselves.
I remember when USA Today would publish an extensively detailed Nielsen report on Wednesdays and I wish that continued. 😔
I’m constantly amazed at how people over 49 are simply dismissed as being so thoroughly unimportant with regards to what we watch on tv. For some reason some corporate behind the scenes individual decided only those between the ages of 18 to 49 buy products which drives how program popularity is judged. Since I fall outside of the favored group I’m ok with that since I prefer any available programming without commercials.
I totally agree! I buy things even though I’m a decrepit 61 years old! Why am I not important? So silly! Everyone who buys things should be considered.
It’s because research shows that brand loyalty is determined before 49. Usually before 30. In other words, if you are steered towards Coca-Cola before 30, odds are thats the brand you will always prefer. Thats why the age group is so attractive to advertisers. Its not just selling you stuff, its setting up a lifetime of brand loyalty.
The 18-49 Ratings are important for a show’s success because that’s the standard advertisers use to set the premium price they’ll pay per minute –and ad revenue is still the #1 single source for networks. However, it is not true that viewers over 49 have no impact. It gives a good indicator that a show will keep an audience in future Seasons. A household could include minors that watch the show that then turn 18 years old and still fans .As less people watch TV live = overnight the % of non-ad sources rise such as streaming,subscriptions etc which are not dependent on ratings.
I just realized I don’t watch much on CBS. I absolutely think Survivor is awful.
Good to see NCIS LA @ 12, S.W.A.T @ 13 but surprised that Magnum is @ 16 while bland NCIS Hawaii is @ 15. CBS cancelled NCIS NOLA for that? It seems to me that NCIS LA & S.W.A.T will make it to another season and so will Magnum. NCIS Hawaii is a sure thing .CBS is committed to that show and will probably give it at least 7 seasons same as NCIS NOLA. Bull though will probably be axed its time for that show to go. Considering all the interuptions on Sunday night NCIS LA is doing great and hopefully moving S.W.A.T to 10 on Sunday will not create a drop in the ratings. NCIS looks solid for season 20 and maybe 21. This way the story can be wrapped up and the show reach that 20 year milestone.
I cannot imagine CBS canceling Bull. The move to Thursdays improved the timeslot. Also, pairing it with Young Sheldon @8pm and Ghosts @9pm, the network has solid anchors to premiere new comedies in the :30pm timeslots though I’m hoping United States of AL and B Positive remain there for a few more seasons.
You may not be able to imagine CBS cancelling Bull–but I certainly can (not to say it will/or won’t be ) Bull is consistently the LOWEST rated of all CBS scripted shows on the current roster.Since it is the final hour timeslot it has no lead-in anchor position.
I love dancing with the stars but, Tira Banks needs to
go. She acts as if she is the main star instead of the
pros and celebs.
CBS shows I continue to watch and support are Survivor (although I was not impressed by its changes), FBI, FBI Most Wanted, FBI International, SWAT, and CSI: Vegas. I have not chosen to watch Ghosts but will when it returns. Daytime Young and the Restless.
I like the CBS comedy lineup on Thursday. Wish the two newer Chuck Lorre shows did better, as United States of AL seems to be finding its voice and B Positive wisely chose to alter the focus to the leading lady. She has great talent and steering the show around her seems have grounded things a bit. Looking forward to seeing what the new year brings to these two series.