As many networks tend to do, NBC has been working to build up its repertoire of high-rated hits for the fall season. As the ratings battles are already heating up, the network can proudly affirm two of its new shows not only made notable bows with their series premieres, but also blazed trails in Live+3 delayed viewing stats. In particular, the Lost-lite thriller Manifest has broken a ratings record, and it is not the only one winning over late-coming viewers, as the medical drama New Amsterdam is also scoring big in Live+3.
Following the addition of Live+3 day calculations, NBC's mysterious new drama Manifest handily landed above the 16 million-viewer mark with its current totals topping out at 16.13 million. Manifest made NBC history with its debut episode, which brought in the biggest delayed-viewing TV audience for any premiere in the network's history, with more than 5.7 million viewers. As well, that total ranks third among all Live+3 gains in all of the broadcast and cable debuts on record, and is fourth overall among every single telecast where Live+3 stats were measured.
With its overall viewership totals, Manifest also delivered NBC's most-watched series premiere in six years, following Live+3 calculations being tallied. The actual record was set by The Blacklist in 2013. And speaking of that crime drama, its series alum Ryan Eggold's new series that also got off to a strong start for NBC.
Likely benefitting from the lead-in audience provided by This Is Us, NBC's new medical drama New Amsterdam scored solid premiere numbers that saw another 3.9 million viewers added in Live+3 day totals. Bringing those that have watched the series' debut from 8.4 million to 12.3 million. Following Live+3 day tabulation, the tearjerker This Is Us added 4 million viewers for its Season 3 premiere, per Deadline, putting its current total at 14.6 million viewers. That means New Amsterdam came just shy of matching the number of total viewers added by one of the biggest shows on TV,
So, it is safe to say that NBC got some excellent news with its ratings report. Given the later time slots for both Manifest and New Amsterdam, it makes sense that some people would have to put off the excitement of watching them until the next day. Both Manifest and New Amsterdam air at 10 p.m. ET on their respective nights.
NBC's slate of new programming was not the only one to do well in delayed viewing. The much-anticipated Season 3 premiere of Fox's Lethal Weapon also made quite an impression, seeing a 63% increase in total viewers following Live+3 day numbers, going from 3.4 million to 5.6 million. Not bad at all. And consistent DVR winners like The Big Bang Theory and others are also keeping even with previous years. Overall, network television got off to a big start with a heavy week of new content.
You can tune in for the next chapter of the ratings hits, with wew episodes of Manifest airing Mondays on NBC at 10 p.m. ET. New Amsterdam airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET, also on NBC. All of the NBC dramas join a slew of series making their returns and premieres this fall on NBC and other networks.
