Ratings: ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Premieres Up, ‘The Island’ Has So-So Memorial Day Debut

Tony Maglio
Ratings: ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Premieres Up, ‘The Island’ Has So-So Memorial Day Debut

NBC won Memorial Day primetime among viewers 18-49 — though it only really faced competition from ABC, which edged the Peacock out in total viewers.

For NBC, “American Ninja Warrior” premiered up 13 percent from last May’s season opener; “The Island With Bear Grylls” had a so-so debut after.

For ABC, “The Bachelorette” slipped 24 percent from last week’s season premiere. Quiz show “500 Questions” had a 1.1 rating/4 share in the main demo last night.

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NBC was first in ratings with a 1.6/5 in the advertiser-coveted demographic and second in total viewers with an average of 5.25 million, according to preliminary numbers. “American Ninja Warrior” at 8 p.m. got a 1.8/6 and 5.9 million viewers — both highs on the night. “The Island” at 10 debuted to a 1.2/4 and 4 million viewers. That rating is down 14 percent from last summer’s premiere of “Running Wild With Bear Grylls.”

ABC was second in ratings with a 1.4/5 and first in viewers with 5.29 million. At 8, “500 Questions” received the aforementioned ratings/share and had 5.2 million viewers. “The Bachelorette” at 9 posted a 1.6/5 and 5.3 million viewers.

CBS was third in ratings with a 0.8/3 and in viewers with 5.1 million, airing entirely repeats.

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Fox and Univision tied for fourth in ratings, both with a 0.7/2. Fox was fourth in total viewers with 2.3 million viewers, airing a rerun; Univision was fifth with 2 million viewers.

Telemundo was sixth in ratings with a 0.6/2 and in viewers with 1.3 million.

The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.3/1 and in viewers with 1.1 million, airing a movie.

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