Primetime Ratings: Grammys Down 28% from Last Year's Record Audience

Awards show still draws second largest audience next to last year's record-setter

By Tim Baysinger -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/11/2013 11:09:29 AM

CBS' broadcast of the 55th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday fell 28% from last year to a 10.1 rating with adults 18-49, according to Nielsen overnight numbers. The annual telecast also declined 27% with total viewers with 28.37 million, though it was the second largest audience, next to last year's record-setter. Last year's show was boosted by numerous tributes to the late Whitney Houston, who passed away the night before the awards and was the show's best ratings since 1984.

CBS easily won the night with an overall 8.2 rating/20 share.

Fox came in a distant second with a 1.8/4, returning its lineup to losses after a week off. The Simpsons and Bob's Burgers each fell two tenths to a 2.1 and 1.8, respectively. Family Guy dropped 10% to a 2.6 and American Dad also was down two tenths to a 2.0. The Cleveland Show was up a tenth to a 1.3 at 7:30 p.m.

ABC was third with a 1.5/4. Once Upon a Time fell two tenths to a 2.2 and Revenge was down 18% to a 1.4. The special Revenge for Real drew a 0.8.

NBC rounded out the night with a 0.8/2. The special, SNL in the ‘80s: Lost and Found drew a 0.8 from 9-11 p.m., thought it actually ran until 11:08 p.m.