Which Broadcast Net Had Two Shows Record Historic Ratings Lows in Sunday Prime? The Same Net That Won the Night

On a tepid Sunday night for the broadcast networks, the net that won the prime-time ratings battle also saw two of its series sink to all-time low numbers, based on Nielsen overnights for the key 18-49 demo. That network was ABC, which won the demo for the night even with both "Resurrection" and "Revenge" setting new low marks.

TVbytheNumbers.com reports that ABC's "Resurrection" fell 10% from its most recent original episode to an all-time low of 1.9 in viewers 18-49, while "Revenge" slipped 8% to a series-low 1.2 average. But "America's Funniest Home Videos" posted a 23% improvement, registering a 1.6, while "Once Upon a Time" surged 24% from the series low it set a week ago to post a 2.1 as ABC topped its rivals with a 1.7 overall rating for prime time.

CBS and Fox finished in a tie for second place in adults 18-49, but CBS won the night by a comfortable margin in total viewers.

CBS had a series low of its own, with "The Mentalist" falling 14% from a week ago to tie its low mark with a 1.2 average in 18-49. "The Good Wife" equaled the 1.3 it had a week earlier, while "60 Minutes" and "The Amazing Race" both posted improved numbers. "60 Minutes" was up 27% with a 1.4 and "Race" ticked up 12% to a 1.9.

Fox's Sunday lineup had mixed results, with "Bob's Burgers" surging 83% from a week ago to a 1.1 in the 18-49 demo and "American Dad" drifting up 9% from its most recent original to a 1.2, while "The Simpsons" lost 12% from its most recent installment to settle for a 1.5. "Family Guy" held steady with its most recent installment, delivering a 2.1, and "Cosmos" equaled its 1.4 from a week earlier.

NBC was pre-empted in Portland for the NBA playoffs, meaning its numbers may be inflated and are subject to more than the usual adjustments. In preliminary returns, the prime-time lineup was up across the board in the 18-49 demo: "American Dream Builders" rose 40% from its all-time low a week ago to a 0.7 average; "Dateline" surged 38% to a 1.1; "Believe" climbed 9% to a 1.1; and "Crisis" rose 11% to a 1.0.

For prime time overall, ABC led the way in the 18-49 demo with a 1.7 average, followed by Fox and CBS (both with 1.5 averages), NBC (1.0) and Univision (0.8). CBS won total viewers, averaging 9.2 million to lead ABC (6.4 million), NBC (4.3 million), Fox (3.3 million) and Univision (2.2 million).

SRC: tvweek.com/