The results for the broadcast premiere week are in, and the second season premiere of Fox’s juggernaut Empire now stands at the 
series’ highest rated episode. It added a 2.7 adults 18-49 rating from Live+Same Day to Live+7 (+40%) to hit a 9.4 demo rating, edging the 9 PM episode of the Season 1 finale. (Empire had already edged the two-hour finale, now it also has pulled ahead of the highly rated second part of the closer after trailing by a tenth in Live+3).
Empire and NBC freshman drama Blindspot kept their No.1 spots from the Live+3 rankings for biggest absolute 18-49 gains in L+7 (Empire, 2.7) and total viewers (Blindspot, 5.894 million, edging Empire‘s 5.829 million). Empire also widened its advantage over No.2 Sunday Night Football to 1.2 rating.
ABC’s Nashville (2.2) also kept its top L+3 position for percentage 18-49 gain among scripted series, tying CBS’ NCIS: Los Angeles (2.2) and ABC’s Castle at +83%. (The CW’s America’s Next Top Model, 0.8 in L+7, once again was No.1 overall off a very small base, +100%)
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Like in Live+3, CBS’ The Big Bang Theory (23.726 million, 6.8 in 18-49) was the most watched program of Premiere Week. Among adults 18-49, it was edged by ABC’s Modern Family (5.4 in L+7) for largest absolute gain for a comedy series (2.2 vs 2.1).
Notable freshman gainers: Fox’s Scream Queens (3.1 in L+7, up 1.4 rating, +82%), Fox’s Minority Report, which just got its order reduced (2.0 in L+7, up +0.9 rating, +82) and ABC’s Quantico (3.4, up 1.5 rating. +79%). Quantico also was the freshman series with the second largest total viewer lift behind Blindspot, 5 million.
Here are the ranking for all programs during premiere week (Sept. 21-27) in adults 18-49 and total viewers:
Adults 18-49
| Program | Net | Live+SD Rating | L+7 Rating | Lift | % Lift |
| EMPIRE | FOX | 6.7 | 9.4 | 2.7 | 40% |
| MODERN FAMILY | ABC | 3.2 | 5.4 | 2.2 | 69% |
| BIG BANG THEORY, THE | CBS | 4.7 | 6.8 | 2.1 | 45% |
| BLINDSPOT | NBC | 3.1 | 5.0 | 1.9 | 61% |
| SCANDAL | ABC | 3.3 | 5.1 | 1.8 | 55% |
| HOW TO GET AWAY W/MURDER | ABC | 2.6 | 4.3 | 1.7 | 65% |
| GREY’S ANATOMY | ABC | 2.8 | 4.4 | 1.6 | 57% |
| QUANTICO | ABC | 1.9 | 3.4 | 1.5 | 79% |
| BLACK-ISH | ABC | 2.4 | 3.8 | 1.4 | 58% |
| SCREAM QUEENS | FOX | 1.7 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 82% |
| HEROES REBORN | NBC | 2.0 | 3.4 | 1.4 | 70% |
| LIMITLESS | CBS | 1.9 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 68% |
| GOLDBERGS, THE | ABC | 2.4 | 3.6 | 1.2 | 50% |
| GOTHAM | FOX | 1.6 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 75% |
| LAW AND ORDER:SVU | NBC | 1.8 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 67% |
| ONCE UPON A TIME | ABC | 1.8 | 2.9 | 1.1 | 61% |
| MUPPETS, THE | ABC | 2.9 | 4.0 | 1.1 | 38% |
| SCORPION | CBS | 2.2 | 3.3 | 1.1 | 50% |
| NCIS | CBS | 2.5 | 3.6 | 1.1 | 44% |
| CASTLE | ABC | 1.2 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 83% |
| NASHVILLE | ABC | 1.2 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 83% |
| NCIS: LOS ANGELES | CBS | 1.2 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 83% |
| MIDDLE, THE | ABC | 2.1 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 43% |
| NCIS: NEW ORLEANS | CBS | 1.7 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 53% |
| CSI – SPECIAL | CBS | 1.8 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 50% |
| MINORITY REPORT | FOX | 1.1 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 82% |
| LAST MAN ON EARTH | FOX | 1.4 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 64% |
| FAMILY GUY | FOX | 1.5 | 2.4 | 0.9 | 60% |
| VOICE | NBC | 3.5 | 4.4 | 0.9 | 26% |
| VOICE-TUE | NBC | 3.5 | 4.4 | 0.9 | 26% |
| SURVIVOR | CBS | 2.5 | 3.3 | 0.8 | 32% |
| AMAZING RACE | CBS | 1.2 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 67% |
| HAWAII FIVE-0 | CBS | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 80% |
| BLUE BLOODS | CBS | 1.3 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 62% |
| LIFE IN PIECES | CBS | 2.6 | 3.4 | 0.8 | 31% |
| BROOKLYN NINE-NINE | FOX | 1.5 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 53% |
| SHARK TANK | ABC | 1.7 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 41% |
| BLOOD & OIL | ABC | 1.4 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 50% |
| FRESH OFF THE BOAT | ABC | 1.9 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 37% |
| LAST MAN STANDING | ABC | 1.1 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 64% |
| PLAYER | NBC | 1.2 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 58% |
| ROSEWOOD | FOX | 2.4 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 25% |
| SIMPSONS | FOX | 1.5 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 40% |
| BIG BROTHER-WED | CBS | 2.2 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 23% |
| BEST TIME EVER WITH NPH | NBC | 2.1 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 24% |
| MYSTERIES OF LAURA | NBC | 1.2 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 42% |
| DANCING WITH THE STARS | ABC | 1.8 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 22% |
| DANCING W/STARS SP-9/22 | ABC | 1.5 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 27% |
| AMERICA’S TOP MODEL-16 | CW | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 100% |
| BOB’S BURGERS | FOX | 1.2 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 33% |
| DATELINE FRI | NBC | 1.0 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 40% |
| 20/20-FRI | ABC | 1.3 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 23% |
| 48 HOURS 9PM SPECIAL | CBS | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 38% |
| 48 HOURS | CBS | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 33% |
| MUPPETS SP-9/25, THE | ABC | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 25% |
| DARK SWAN RISES: FAN APPR | ABC | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 14% |
| CRIMETIME SATURDAY 8PM | CBS | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 14% |
| CBS+NFLN THU NT PRE-KICK | CBS | 3.3 | 3.4 | 0.1 | 3% |
| 60 MINUTES | CBS | 2.9 | 3.0 | 0.1 | 3% |
| PENN & TELLER:FOOL US | CW | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 33% |
| SCREAM QUEENS-SP 9/24 | FOX | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 14% |
| MINORITY REPORT-SP 9/25 | FOX | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 14% |
| ROSEWOOD-SP 9/25 9P | FOX | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 20% |
| NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL | NBC | 8.1 | 8.2 | 0.1 | 1% |
| SNFTBL NISSAN PRE-GAME | ABC | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0% |
| SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL | ABC | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0% |
| CBS+NFLN THU NT KICK-OFF2 | CBS | 2.2 | 2.2 | 0.0 | 0% |
| CBS NFL NATL POST GUN | CBS | 6.4 | 6.4 | 0.0 | 0% |
| CBS NFL NATL POST GAME | CBS | 4.4 | 4.4 | 0.0 | 0% |
| CBS+NFLN THU NT FOOTBALL | CBS | 6.0 | 6.0 | 0.0 | 0% |
| FLASH | CW | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0% |
| FLASH-9/22 | CW | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0% |
| FLASH-9/24 | CW | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0% |
| ARROW | CW | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0% |
| SIGNIFICANT MOTHER | CW | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0% |
| WICKED OFFER | CW | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0% |
| MASTERS OF ILLUSION | CW | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0% |
| PENN & TELLER:FOOL US-ENC | CW | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0% |
| WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY | CW | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0% |
| WHOSE LINE IS IT-ENC | CW | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0% |
| FOX COLLEGE FOOTBALL | FOX | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0% |
| FAMILY GUY-SP 9/27 7P | FOX | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0% |
| BEST TIME EVER NPH 9/25 | NBC | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0% |
| CARMICHAEL SHOW 9/26 | NBC | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0% |
| FOOTBALL NT AMERICA PT 2 | NBC | 3.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0% |
| FOOTBALL NT AMERICA PT 3 | NBC | 4.4 | 4.4 | 0.0 | 0% |
| SUNDAY NIGHT NFL PRE-KICK | NBC | 5.5 | 5.5 | 0.0 | 0% |
| NBC PBC BOXING-PRIME | NBC | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0% |
Total viewers:
| Program | Net | Viewers (000) | Vieiwers (000) | Lift |
| BLINDSPOT | NBC | 10,605 | 16,589 | 5,984 |
| EMPIRE | FOX | 16,184 | 22,113 | 5,929 |
| BIG BANG THEORY, THE | CBS | 18,203 | 23,726 | 5,523 |
| QUANTICO | ABC | 7,142 | 12,153 | 5,011 |
| MODERN FAMILY | ABC | 9,463 | 14,277 | 4,814 |
| HOW TO GET AWAY W/MURDER | ABC | 8,378 | 12,994 | 4,616 |
| SCANDAL | ABC | 10,247 | 14,734 | 4,487 |
| LIMITLESS | CBS | 9,857 | 14,258 | 4,401 |
| NCIS | CBS | 18,191 | 22,469 | 4,278 |
| BLUE BLOODS | CBS | 10,082 | 14,339 | 4,257 |
| CASTLE | ABC | 6,840 | 10,920 | 4,080 |
| SCORPION | CBS | 11,087 | 15,130 | 4,043 |
| NCIS: LOS ANGELES | CBS | 7,981 | 11,857 | 3,876 |
| NCIS: NEW ORLEANS | CBS | 12,616 | 16,445 | 3,829 |
| CSI – SPECIAL | CBS | 12,222 | 15,808 | 3,586 |
| GREY’S ANATOMY | ABC | 9,549 | 12,907 | 3,358 |
| BLACK-ISH | ABC | 7,303 | 10,592 | 3,289 |
| HEROES REBORN | NBC | 6,090 | 9,221 | 3,131 |
| HAWAII FIVE-0 | CBS | 8,299 | 11,414 | 3,115 |
| LAW AND ORDER:SVU | NBC | 8,274 | 11,383 | 3,109 |
| SCREAM QUEENS | FOX | 4,038 | 7,057 | 3,019 |
| GOTHAM | FOX | 4,569 | 7,487 | 2,918 |
| MUPPETS, THE | ABC | 9,005 | 11,688 | 2,683 |
| NASHVILLE | ABC | 4,910 | 7,541 | 2,631 |
| BLOOD & OIL | ABC | 6,363 | 8,989 | 2,626 |
| PLAYER | NBC | 4,858 | 7,451 | 2,593 |
| VOICE-TUE | NBC | 12,348 | 14,921 | 2,573 |
| VOICE | NBC | 12,371 | 14,935 | 2,564 |
| ONCE UPON A TIME | ABC | 5,925 | 8,366 | 2,441 |
| GOLDBERGS, THE | ABC | 7,619 | 10,049 | 2,430 |
| MINORITY REPORT | FOX | 3,097 | 5,489 | 2,392 |
| AMAZING RACE | CBS | 5,824 | 8,115 | 2,291 |
| SURVIVOR | CBS | 9,700 | 11,926 | 2,226 |
| LIFE IN PIECES | CBS | 11,276 | 13,499 | 2,223 |
| MIDDLE, THE | ABC | 8,205 | 10,337 | 2,132 |
| ROSEWOOD | FOX | 7,544 | 9,656 | 2,112 |
| DANCING W/STARS SP-9/22 | ABC | 9,579 | 11,563 | 1,984 |
| MYSTERIES OF LAURA | NBC | 7,109 | 9,073 | 1,964 |
| LAST MAN STANDING | ABC | 6,265 | 8,151 | 1,886 |
| SHARK TANK | ABC | 6,085 | 7,911 | 1,826 |
| LAST MAN ON EARTH | FOX | 3,136 | 4,943 | 1,807 |
| DANCING WITH THE STARS | ABC | 11,509 | 13,144 | 1,635 |
| FRESH OFF THE BOAT | ABC | 6,054 | 7,564 | 1,510 |
| BROOKLYN NINE-NINE | FOX | 3,140 | 4,608 | 1,468 |
| FAMILY GUY | FOX | 2,866 | 4,317 | 1,451 |
| BIG BROTHER-WED | CBS | 6,537 | 7,917 | 1,380 |
| DATELINE FRI | NBC | 5,080 | 6,233 | 1,153 |
| 20/20-FRI | ABC | 5,385 | 6,500 | 1,115 |
| BEST TIME EVER WITH NPH | NBC | 5,907 | 7,009 | 1,102 |
| SIMPSONS | FOX | 3,279 | 4,335 | 1,056 |
| AMERICA’S TOP MODEL-16 | CW | 1,346 | 2,017 | 671 |
| 48 HOURS 9PM SPECIAL | CBS | 4,159 | 4,803 | 644 |
| 48 HOURS | CBS | 5,247 | 5,886 | 639 |
| 60 MINUTES | CBS | 15,044 | 15,599 | 555 |
| BOB’S BURGERS | FOX | 2,510 | 3,053 | 543 |
| MUPPETS SP-9/25, THE | ABC | 3,589 | 4,048 | 459 |
| CRIMETIME SATURDAY 8PM | CBS | 3,393 | 3,743 | 350 |
| PENN & TELLER:FOOL US | CW | 1,213 | 1,547 | 334 |
| ROSEWOOD-SP 9/25 9P | FOX | 2,126 | 2,448 | 322 |
| DARK SWAN RISES: FAN APPR | ABC | 3,199 | 3,505 | 306 |
| SCREAM QUEENS-SP 9/24 | FOX | 2,009 | 2,279 | 270 |
| MINORITY REPORT-SP 9/25 | FOX | 2,274 | 2,534 | 260 |
| FLASH-9/22 | CW | 1,122 | 1,282 | 160 |
| BEST TIME EVER NPH 9/25 | NBC | 3,034 | 3,157 | 123 |
| CBS+NFLN THU NT FOOTBALL | CBS | 16,882 | 16,985 | 103 |
| FLASH-9/24 | CW | 1,121 | 1,218 | 97 |
| FLASH | CW | 1,207 | 1,298 | 91 |
| NBC PBC BOXING-PRIME | NBC | 2,179 | 2,264 | 85 |
| NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL | NBC | 22,072 | 22,156 | 84 |
| PENN & TELLER:FOOL US-ENC | CW | 1,270 | 1,346 | 76 |
| WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY | CW | 995 | 1,071 | 76 |
| MASTERS OF ILLUSION | CW | 1,354 | 1,427 | 73 |
| SIGNIFICANT MOTHER | CW | 502 | 560 | 58 |
| CBS+NFLN THU NT PRE-KICK | CBS | 10,611 | 10,666 | 55 |
| SUNDAY NIGHT NFL PRE-KICK | NBC | 15,616 | 15,666 | 50 |
| WHOSE LINE IS IT-ENC | CW | 1,239 | 1,288 | 49 |
| CARMICHAEL SHOW 9/26 | NBC | 1,161 | 1,199 | 38 |
| ARROW | CW | 778 | 810 | 32 |
| CBS NFL NATL POST GUN | CBS | 18,869 | 18,892 | 23 |
| FOOTBALL NT AMERICA PT 3 | NBC | 11,905 | 11,925 | 20 |
| CBS+NFLN THU NT KICK-OFF2 | CBS | 7,546 | 7,563 | 17 |
| WICKED OFFER | CW | 500 | 516 | 16 |
| FOOTBALL NT AMERICA PT 2 | NBC | 8,302 | 8,316 | 14 |
| SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL | ABC | 2,386 | 2,399 | 13 |
| FOX COLLEGE FOOTBALL | FOX | 2,975 | 2,988 | 13 |
| FAMILY GUY-SP 9/27 7P | FOX | 2,054 | 2,066 | 12 |
| CBS NFL NATL POST GAME | CBS | 13,031 | 13,037 | 6 |
| SNFTBL NISSAN PRE-GAME | ABC | 2,444 | 2,449 | 5 |
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