Preliminary Analysis: An incredibly rough year for new scripted programming didn't get any better last night as the series debut of new comedy 'Connecting...' (0.3) began in anemic territory. This goes a tenth below last year's 'Sunnyside' (0.4) and spring's 'Indebted' (0.4). This may be a sign that viewers are growing increasingly tired of Zoom-based and Covid-themed programming but NBC has also had very little luck in the comedy department in recent years. After the premiere came an even weaker 'Closer Look Thursday' (0.2) and a steady 'Dateline' (0.4). On ABC, 'Celebrity Family Feud' (0.7), 'Press Your Luck' (0.5), and 'Match Game' (0.3) all shed a tenth from last week. This marks a new low for the latter.
Fox finally had some relief from low ratings as they swapped out repeats for 'Thursday Night Football' (3.0). The Buccaneers v Bears game trailed the preliminary 3.9 rating that football posted for its 2019 Thursday debut but was still in the same vicinity. At the very least, the decline was far from the levels that the NBA has fallen this year. CBS's 'Big Brother' (0.9) and 'Star Trek: Discovery' (0.2) were both on the decline when compared to last week. Sandwiched in-between were repeats of 'Young Sheldon' (0.3) and 'Mom' (0.2). The CW finally managed to garner a competitive number for once as they hosted the final season premiere of 'Supernatural' (0.4). It was on-par with its October 2019 premiere and led into a much weaker 'The Outpost' (0.1).
Finals Update: Thursday Night Football (4.5, +1.5) adjusted up on Fox alongside 'Big Brother' (1.0, +0.1) on CBS and 'Match Game' (0.4, +0.1) on ABC.
Key:
(R) = repeat
(P) = premiere
(S) = special
