Monday Night TV Showdown: Premieres Shine Bright While Veterans Stumble – Is Network TV Losing Its Grip?
Picture this: It's Monday evening, October 13, 2025, and viewers are flipping channels, deciding between football thrills, comedy laughs, and dramatic twists. But the ratings tell a story of highs and heartbreaking lows – a solid debut here, a franchise flop there. If you're new to TV ratings, think of them as a popularity contest for shows, especially among the key 18-49 age group that advertisers chase like gold. These numbers? They can make or break a series. Stick around as we unpack the drama from last night's lineup, and I'll throw in some insights to help you see why certain shows are buzzing while others are buzzing out.
Let's kick things off with the full breakdown of the broadcast ratings. We're focusing on the 18-49 demographic rating (that's the percentage of viewers in that age range tuned in), the share (how much of the TV-watching pie the show grabbed), and total viewers in millions. Networks like CBS, NBC, Fox, and The CW are battling it out – who came out on top?
At 8:00 PM, the NFL game between the Bears and Commanders on ABC was still tallying up its numbers (TBA means 'to be announced,' so expect those soon – football nights often dominate). Over on CBS, The Neighborhood held steady in its previous slot with a 0.34 rating and 3.85 million viewers, proving it's a reliable starter for the night. NBC's The Voice pulled in a 0.32 rating and 4.83 million viewers, keeping its spot as a singing sensation favorite. Fox's Name That Tune was lighter at 0.14 rating and 0.93 million viewers, while The CW's TV We Love made its series premiere with numbers pending – fingers crossed for a warm welcome.
But here's where it gets interesting... Sliding into 8:30 PM, CBS launched DMV as a new series, and it delivered a sturdy premiere with a 0.30 rating and 3.93 million viewers. For beginners, a 'premiere' is like a show's big debut party – and DMV seems to have brought the right crowd. Solid start? Absolutely, but can it build from here in a crowded comedy field?
Moving to 9:00 PM, things took a turn. CBS's FBI, fresh off a previous episode, dipped to a 0.29 rating and 4.43 million viewers. And this is the part most people miss: It's now in a new time slot, which might explain the slide – or is it? Bold claim incoming – FBI, part of a powerhouse franchise, actually hit a series low here. Ouch. Could scheduling changes be the culprit, or are viewers just tuning out the procedural drama formula? Fox countered with Celebrity Weakest Link at 0.16 rating and 1.19 million viewers, a fun celebrity twist on the classic game show. The CW reran Scrabble with details still TBA.
Wrapping up at 10:00 PM, NBC's Brilliant Minds scored a 0.17 rating and 2.16 million viewers – a medical drama trying to find its pulse. But the real crater? CBS's Watson, post-premiere, nosedived to a 0.15 rating and 2.53 million viewers. 'Craters' isn't hyperbole; this one fell hard, raising eyebrows about its staying power. For context, if a show like Watson – likely a fresh procedural – can't hold viewers late night, it might signal bigger issues for CBS's strategy.
Now, for those cable junkies, the highlights are still brewing – details on top cable shows, their networks, 18-49 viewers, and total audience coming soon. Cable often sneaks in surprises, like niche hits that broadcast can't touch, so stay tuned.
Analysis to come, but let's chat: With FBI scraping a series low in its new slot, is the once-unbeatable crime procedural genre finally cracking under repetition? And Watson's plunge – bad luck or a sign that audiences crave something edgier? What about DMV's promising debut – underrated gem or just a flash in the pan? Drop your thoughts in the comments: Do you agree these shifts point to streaming stealing the spotlight, or is traditional TV evolving in ways we haven't noticed? I'd love to hear if you're Team Premiere Power or worried about the veterans!
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