TV Ratings: Revolution is Off to a Strong Start

NBC’s Revolution, which debuted on September 17th, 2012, got better ratings for its premiere than Terra Nova and Alcatraz did last season. Both of those shows failed to make it to a second season due to subsequent ratings declines during their first seasons.

Its debut Adult 18-49 rating was closest to the rating for ABC’s Once Upon a Time. That show survived to make it to a second season. It skewed a more female than Revolution did, though. As it was, Revolution came in at 45% Male/55% Female.

Revolution did have the benefit of three things. First, it got tons of promotion during the Olympics. Second, it had a strong lead in from The Voice, which generated a 4.7 rating last night. Third, it debuted a week before the “official” start of the season. Castle wasn’t on and Hawaii Five-0 was a repeat. They will have their season premieres next week. Last year, Castle had a 3.2 and H5O a 3.4 for their premieres. Next week, Castle will be coming off a season ending “cliffhanger” where Castle and Beckett finally “did it”. So, it could have a strong debut next week for the “morning after”.

Revolution may see its ratings decline in the coming weeks, but this is a good number to start with and leaves more room for possible declines. Personally, I liked the show and I want to see where it goes from here.

Incidentally, 89% of Revolution's viewers watched live.

Fox’s Mob Doctor didn’t even get interest for its first episode. It had a dismal 1.5 A18-49 rating.