TV ratings: CBS comedies win, with ‘Millers’ and ‘Crazy Ones’ up

CBS’ comedy lineup won Thursday night again, and it wasn’t just “The Big Bang Theory” pulling its weight.

The network, which posted gains from its new series “The Millers” and “The Crazy Ones,” drew an average of 10.7 million viewers and a rating of 2.6 in the key 18-49 age demographic, according to early numbers from Nielsen.

The nerd sitcom “Big Bang Theory” was the highest-rated show of the night, with 17.2 million viewers and a 4.9 demographic rating, down 4% from last week. Will Arnett’s “The Millers” rose 7% to a 3.2 and Robin Williams’ “The Crazy Ones” rose 4% to a 2.5, helping to offset declines from “Two and a Half Men” and “Elementary.”

PHOTOS: Cable versus broadcast ratings

ABC’s “Scandal,” the drama that stars Kerry Washington as a professional PR crisis “fixer,” is pulling in more big numbers -- 9.5 million viewers and a 3.3 rating. That’s 6% better in the demo than last week, which is more impressive, considering “Scandal” is up more than 70% compared with last season.

However, ABC’s “Once Upon a Time in Wonderland” fell 29% from last week’s premiere, to a 1.2. The “Once Upon a Time” spinoff attracted an audience of 4.5 million, while “Grey’s Anatomy” was down 7% to a 2.6.

NBC’s Thursday comedy lineup, which has struggled so far this season, rose in the ratings this week. “Parks & Recreation,” starring Amy Poehler, who will host the Golden Globes for the next two years with Tina Fey, increased its 18-49 rating 8% to a 1.3.

ON LOCATION: Where the cameras roll

“Welcome to the Family,” a new comedy that suffered a drop last week, increased 13% to a 0.9, while another freshman comedy, “Sean Saves the World,” rose 10% to a 1.1. “The Michael J. Fox Show” was flat with last week’s 1.2, and “Parenthood” rose to a 1.3.

Competing with the series was Fox’s coverage of the MLB playoffs. Wednesday night was Game Five of the American League Championship Series, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Detroit Tigers, 4-3, giving them a 3-2 advantage in the series. According to the early Nielsens, which are subject to change because they aren’t adjusted for time zones, the telecast brought in 8.39 million viewers and a 2.4 in prime time.

On the CW, “Vampire Diaries” grew 30% in 18-49 to a 1.3, beating ABC and NBC in the advertiser-desired demographic from 8 p.m.-9 p.m. “Reign’’ posted a 0.8 rating in 18-49.

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