ABC emerged victorious on the final night of the 2018-19 season with a stellar performance by “Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s All in the Family and The Jeffersons.” The live re-staging of these classic sitcoms, spearheaded by Jimmy Kimmel, captivated audiences and dominated primetime ratings.
From 8:00 to 9:30 PM ET, ABC’s ambitious project averaged 10.36 million viewers and a robust 1.7 demo rating, marking a significant achievement. This performance not only surpassed all other broadcast primetime competition but also delivered ABC’s highest ratings in the Wednesday time slot in six months, excluding award shows, and its largest audience since the start of the TV season.
The success continued into the 10:00 PM hour, where the finale of “Whiskey Cavalier” held onto a commendable 0.7 demo rating and 3.80 million viewers, leveraging the strong lead-in from Nightline’s documentary on Norman Lear, which garnered a 1.4 demo rating and 7.93 million viewers.
NBC’s “Chicago P.D.” claimed the top spot at 10:00 PM with a 0.9 demo rating and 6.55 million viewers, while NBC’s other Chicago-based dramas, “Med” and “Fire,” maintained their demo data from the previous week despite facing competition from the Norman Lear specials.
CBS followed with “SEAL Team” and “The Amazing Race,” while Fox and CW trailed behind in the ratings race.
Overall, ABC celebrated its most-watched season-closing Wednesday since May 23, 2007, securing a commanding lead with 7.77 million viewers and a 1.3 demo rating. NBC closely followed with 7.15 million viewers and a 1.0 demo rating, demonstrating the enduring appeal of live television and nostalgic reboots.
Jimmy Kimmel’s passion project not only paid homage to television classics but also delivered a ratings triumph for ABC, showcasing the enduring popularity of Norman Lear’s iconic sitcoms and the power of live performances in today’s broadcast landscape.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights as ABC continues to set the pace in primetime television.
