NBC may have had the right idea in staging a two-hour premiere “event” for the debut of their new legal drama The Firm, however competition was steep last night, and that likely played a factor in the series premieres’ soft ratings.
NBC premiered the Josh Lucas starring The Firm last night, after which the series is set to move to Thursday nights to follow the two-hour comedy block, taking over for Prime Suspect in the ten o’clock spot. TV Line posted the ratings for last night’s television and things didn’t do so well for NBC’s new series. The Firm averaged 6.3 million total viewers, placing last among the 18-49 demo in its first hour and tying with Pan Am for last place during the 10:00 p.m. hour. While 6.3 million viewers doesn't exactly qualify as a dismal failure, it’s not the best start. The Firm may have done better had it premiered last Sunday night when the other networks were airing reruns, however that would have conflicted with NBC's airing of the (hugely rated) Giants/Cowboys game.
In the meantime, ABC’s Once Upon a Time has cause to celebrate. The fantasy-drama series took in 10.33 million total viewers, earning a 3.7 demo rating. Desperate Housewives was also up with 8.8 million. And the previously mentioned Pan Am dipped to a series-low demo rating with 4 million and 1.3.
