Normally, networks want to set records with their ratings, but in the case of the CW's new import The L.A. Complex, setting a record isn't such a good thing, as it's on the lower side of the numbers. The Canadian series made its network TV debut in the States last night and to say the ratings were low is probably an understatement.
The CW's ratings are typically on the lower end as it is, but according to Entertainment Weekly, CW's premiere of The L.A. Complex this week is the lowest-rated in-season broadcast drama debut of all time. At least, going back to the beginning of the current measurement system used to determine ratings. The series premiere of the Hollywood-based young-adult drama series earned a .3 rating with 656,000 viewers. As EW notes, Ringer's premiere ratings don't look so bad by comparison now. If comparing Ringer to The L.A. Complex, we could chalk Ringer's 40% higher ratings to Sarah Michelle Gellar's popularity drawing some viewers to the show. Sure, The L.A. Complex has Jewel Staite, who's likely to be more well known among fans of genre shows like Stargate and Firefly, but still has a devoted following nonetheless. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like that was enough to get the series much attention.
The L.A. Complex's premiere did have some competition, going up against The Voice on NBC and a new episode of New Girl on Fox. As for what was going on on the other networks, Private Practice took in 8.4 million viewers, while The Voice managed a 3.2 rating with 8.7 million viewers. Meanwhile, Glee's Whitney Houston tribute episode brought an increase to the series with 6.9 million viewers. And New Girl took in 5.2 million viewers.
