Primetime Ratings: ‘Malibu Country' Gets Solid Start

Reba McEntire sitcom drives ‘Shark Tank' to series high as ABC wins Friday

By Andrea Morabito -- Broadcasting & Cable, 11/3/2012 2:37:01 PM

The debut of ABC's new Reba McEntire sitcom Malibu Country got off to a strong start on Friday, drawing a 2.2 rating with adults 18-49 and 8.9 million viewers at 8:30 p.m., according to Nielsen fast nationals.

Malibu built on its lead-in, the season premiere of Last Man Standing, which predictably fell in its move to Friday, down 47% from its Tuesday series premiere last fall to a 1.9. The Tim Allen vehicle did improve on year-ago occupant Extreme Makeover: Home Edition by 73%, however.

Buoyed by Malibu Country's solid performance, Shark Tank hit a series-high 2.3 rating in its time period premiere at 9 p.m. while 20/20 was up a tenth from last week to a 1.5.

ABC was first for the night with a 2.0 rating/6 share, followed by CBS and NBC, which tied for second with a 1.4 each.

The season premiere of CBS' Undercover Boss dropped 38% from its Friday premiere last February to a 1.5. CSI: NY grew a tenth to a 1.5 while Blue Bloods dipped a tenth to a 1.3.

NBC's benefit telethon Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together hosted by Matt Lauer delivered a 1.5 rating and 6.3 million viewers at 8 p.m. with Grimm down a tenth to a 1.8. Dateline fell 27% to a 1.1.

Fox was fourth with a 1.0/3, with the second part of Kitchen Nightmares' season premiere and Fringe each up a tenth from last week.

The CW trailed with a 0.4/1 for a steady America's Next Top Model and Nikita, which improved 50% week-over-week.