The ratings race really started heating up at 10pm last night. Chicago Fire premiered opposite ABC’s critically-acclaimed Nashville and venerable CSI on CBS. How did NBC’s new drama fare?
Chicago Fire follows the lives of the firefighters and paramedics working at the Chicago Fire Department at the firehouse of Engine 51, Truck 81, Squad 3, Medic 61, and Battalion 25. The TV show’s cast includes Jesse Spencer, Taylor Kinney, Lauren German, Monica Raymund, Charlie Barnett, Teri Reeves, David Eigenberg and Eamonn Walker.
The first episode attracted a 1.9 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 6.4 million total viewers. It was last in its timeslot in both categories.
Year-to-year, compared to Law & Order: SVU’s season premiere in the same timeslot, the network was down by 21% in the demo (vs a 2.4 rating) and down by 16% in viewership (vs 7.63 million). This certainly wasn’t a great start for this new series. With this kind of weak start, one has to wonder how bad week two will look.
On the positive side, almost everyone who started watching the pilot episode stuck with it until the end. That’s kinda rare these days, particularly for a 10pm show.
What do you think? Did you watch Chicago Fire last night? Will you be watching next week? Live, via DVR, on-demand or online?
I’m addicted to Chicago fire! I cannot stop watching! Wow! Amazing cast & story lines!
I enjoyed the first episode of Chicago Fire. When I was watching I remember being on the edge of my seat. I DVRed this show and hope it does well. I’m super excited about watching the second episode tonight.
Didn’t really care for Chicago Fire. Both my husband and I watched the pilot show and it dragged. Liked Rescue Me the year before more. Didn’t watch Nashville, didn’t interest me.
I DVR’d both Nashville and Chicago Fire and I liked Chicago Fire a little more than Nashville (that could be because I’m not a big country music fan – but do love Connie Britton from when she was on Friday Night Lights and American Horror Story). I can’t wait until next week on both shows, which captured my attention and kept me very interested to see what was coming next. I just think Chicago Fire, for me, was a little more interesting. I also LOVED the cameo appearance of the mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel – it was a pleasant… Read more »
I watched Chicago Fire and really enjoyed it. Can’t wait for next weeks episode of Chicago Fire. Watched Nashville and it was alright to me, will watch another episode before giving a final verdict.
Another show (like Nashville) whose previews didn’t get my interest. No burning desire to watch this show either.
Watched my first (and last) episode. Chicago Fire is like a mix of Backdraft and Emergency, with worse writing. Has all the excitement of soggy cereal.
My husband and I both watched Chicago Fire, and neither one of us really could get into it, just didnt hold our attention, I watched Nashville though, and loved it, will definately be watching it again, not so with Chicago Fire,