NBC�s new reality series Average Joe got off to a above-average start last night, improving by 45 percent on the network�s Adults 18-49 average in the time period so far this season. It�s NBC�s highest in-season rating with regular programming in that hour since May 2002 and the highest Adults 18-49 result for a new reality-show series premiere on any network since January 2003.
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Despite finishing third overall in its timeslot and airing at 10 PM ET, a time when viewership levels are traditionally lower than at the earlier 8 PM or 9 PM hours where most reality series air, according to updated in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, the 10-11 PM ET premiere of Average Joe (5.8 rating, 15 share among Adults 18-49, 11.2 million viewers overall) grabbed the highest Adults 18-49 rating for a new reality series (ie. not counting returning series such as CBS's Survivor or ABC's The Bachelor) premiere since Fox�s Joe Millionare premiered on January 6, 2003.
Last night�s Average Joe achieved NBC�s highest rating in that time period this season and highest for regular in-season programming since May 13, 2002 (Crossing Jordan season finale). Average Joe won the highly competitive hour among Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34. From its first half-hour to its second, Average Joe built its 18-49 rating by 0.7 of a point (to a 6.2/16 from a 5.5/14).
The 5.8 rating for Average Joe is a big gain over both NBC�s average 4.0 in the hour this season and 4.5 last season.
The only two new series to premiere this fall with higher Adults 18-49 ratings than last night�s Average Joe were shows that benefitted from much higher lead-ins, NBC�s Coupling and CBS� Two and a Half Men.
