Betty White’s Off Their Rockers: Premiere Ratings

In a time when TV networks are obsessed with young viewer ratings, who would have thought that NBC would order a show starring 90-year-old Betty White and other senior citizens? I guess they’re hoping that Betty White’s Off Their Rockers will attract audiences of all ages.

Per the fast affiliate ratings, the debut of Betty White’s Off Their Rockers did very well for NBC. It attracted a 2.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 12.23 million total viewers.

Compared with last week’s edition of Fear Factor, the network was up by 13% in the demo and a whopping 121% in total viewers. Looking at the numbers from one year earlier, NBC was up by 44% in the demo and 97% in viewership. Cancelled drama The Cape drew just a 1.8 in the demo and 6.22 million.

The premiere of Off Their Rockers was surely helped by having the 90-minute Betty White’s 90th Birthday: A Tribute to America’s Golden Girl special as a lead-in. It registered a 2.7 demo rating and 13.86 million viewers. Any way you cut it, Off Their Rockers got a positive start and stands as NBC’s second-highest rated non-scripted show and also their second-highest rated half hour series of the season.

Betty White’s Off Their Rockers isn’t currently on the schedule and NBC has 11 episodes left. Given these numbers, it seems likely that they may be looking for a place for it.

What do you think? Did you watch Betty White’s new show? Would you watch it again?