In New York City, the Season 25 premiere of NBC’s “Law & Order: SVU” emerged as the most-watched program on Jan. 18th. The long-standing police procedural drama not only secured the top spot for the night but also dominated the coveted 18-49 age demographic. The show returned after an eight-month hiatus, resulting in a surge in audience viewership and a steady performance in the ratings.
The “Law & Order” franchise had a triumphant comeback, with all three shows experiencing an increase in viewership. The original “Law & Order” series garnered 5.2 million total viewers and a 0.5 rating. The spin-off series, “SVU,” attracted 5.6 million viewers and a 0.6 rating. Meanwhile, “Law & Order: Organized Crime” drew in 3.9 million viewers with a 0.4 rating. The audience reception, as determined by TVLine reader grades, ranged from “B-” to “B+.”
On ABC, “Press Your Luck” maintained a steady viewership of 3 million with a 0.4 rating. Over at FOX, both “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Gordon Ramsay’s Road Trip” maintained their viewership, with the former drawing in 2.3 million viewers and the latter attracting 1 million viewers, both with respective 0.4 and 0.2 ratings.
The CW’s “Son of a Critch” signaled a growth in viewership as their season finale added to their viewership numbers. However, repeats of “The Conners” saw a decline in viewership, with the two episodes attracting 274K and 331K viewers, respectively. Additionally, “Children Ruin Everything” also experienced a decline in viewership, drawing in 249K viewers.
It is important to note that the Live+Same Day numbers reported here do not fully capture a show’s overall performance due to the increased use of delayed playback via DVR and streaming platforms, as well as out-of-home viewing. Nonetheless, these numbers provide valuable insights into the current television landscape.
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As the television industry continues to evolve, the popularity of established shows like “Law & Order: SVU” serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of their storytelling and characters. With viewers eagerly tuning in to discover the latest twists and turns, the franchise maintains its status as a beloved staple in the television landscape.