ABC’s broadcast of the 43rd Annual CMA Awards was the most-watched program in primetime Wednesday, dominating in every key ratings demo, according to preliminary Nielsen numbers. Per the Alphabet, it was also the most-watched CMA Awards telecast in four years, with its highest Adult 18-34 rating in five years and best Women 18-34 rating in six years.
CBS’ continued CSI crossover earned CSI:NY the evening’s No. 2 spot.
| Time | Show | Viewers (in millions) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 p.m. | The 43rd Annual CMA Awards (ABC) The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS) Mercy (NBC) So You Think You Can Dance (Fox) America’s Next Top Model (The CW) |
16.8 7.6 6.8 5.5 3.2 |
| 8:30 p.m. | Gary Unmarried (CBS) | 7.7 |
| 9 p.m. | Criminal Minds (CBS) Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) Glee (Fox) The Vampire Diaries (The CW) |
12.3 8.8 7.3 1.2 (repeat) |
| 10 p.m. | CSI: NY (CBS) The Jay Leno Show (NBC) |
13.9 4.6 |
Read more:
Ken Tucker on the CMA Awards’ best and worst moments
Whitney Pastorek’s CMA Awards live blog
Glee recap: Rolling Right Along
So You Think You Can Dance recap: Finally tapped out
America’s Next Top Model recap: The sea was angry that day
Comments (1-15) of 27 Add your comment
UGH….now everyone will say that it was thanks to Taylor Swift’s presence, which will keep perpetuating the erroneous notion that she has talent, which will extend her 15 minutes.
But it is partly because of her presence. She has a lot of non-country fans who probably watched because of her. That being said, the girl is in desperate need of vocal lessons. She is a talented songwriter for her age but cannot carry a tune live. For the sake of my ears, she should be allowed to lip-sync.
I completely agree with you….she definitely had part in the ratings… Believe me…I can’t stand her…any time her songs come on, I turn it off within the first 5 seconds.
She IS a talented songwriter… (I have unfortunately heard an entire song or two)… but girl CANNOT sing well!
And I also must say that I was happy that she won…she seemed extremely surprised and happy!
She’s a better singer than most out there (Madonna to name one) singing live, but Madonna doesn’t get all bad rap like Swift gets for singing…give her a break, she’s not that horrible or any worst than like Courtney Love, Madonna, Sheryl Crow, Kate Perry (live) to name a few! Trust me, there are worst live performers than Swift.
Completely aggree with you trelly. How the hell did she beat Carrie Underwood in vocals..VOCALS!?
Hahaha, say what you want about her, but she definitely isn’t experiencing 15 minutes of fame. Her album with 5X platinum.. I would say she is more than a flash in the pan.
I am not likely to buy a Taylor album, but I find her talented and completely refreshing.
I find Taylor Swift talented and very refreshing. It’s nice to see a nineteen year old jump up and down with excitement. Just be gracious, folks, she is going to be around for quite a while.
I have to admit that I love seeing people mad that an American Idol winner was beaten. Don’t get me wrong, I think awarding Swift a vocalist trophy over Carrie Underwood is insane too, but it’s funny seeing a reality show winner being looked at as the veteran.
I guess people like their counry music, is it me or are you surprised Christine and Gary Unmarried are pulling over 7.5mil viewers?
I cannot believe how popular crappy Country Music is!! How pathetic. How about some real music called CLASSIC ROCK. Where I come from, country music is for the uneducated. Tells you a lot about people watching TV. Country music is pathetic.
I listen to country music and I am far from uneducated. I have two Bachelor’s Degrees as well as a Master’s Degree. You have every right to dislike country music; however, you do not have the right to call people who listen to country music pathetic and uneducated.
I don’t care for country music either, but that remark is presumptuous and ignorant. I’ve held conversations with people that do love it, and they’re every bit as engaging and intelligent as anyone else I’ve interacted with. Speaking as a Nashville native, I can honestly say that’s the case.
Next year I am sure Taylor Swift will awarded a Lifetime Acheievement Award
cant believe she beat out carrie underwood dont get me wrong taylor is good but carrie has an awesome voice
SVU was weird last night. Too much going on at once.
Not surprised at Christine and Gary’s numbers at all. We watch those two shows every week. Love ‘em.
Do not understand the fascination with country music though, but to each his own.. Hope Wynona Juggs didn’t win anything..
Taylor completely deserved all the awards she received, but especially the Entertainer of the Year award. Country music definitely owes Taylor, and whether you like it or not she is country. She sings about her life and other people’s lives and that is what country music is all about. Taylor could very well be one of the greatest people alive.
I don’t know if I’d agree about her being country just b/c she sings about her life. Plenty of people do that and they’re rock, rap, and pop.
Why don’t we be honest here, this is not, I repeat, not country music. Why didn’t they just bring out the Stones or Aerosmith.
I think that Taylor Swift’s huge success this year made more people watch. She’s had strong crossover success. Also, the Brad Paisley/Carrie Underwood co-hosting was solid. They were funnier this year than last. They should do a variety show with comedy skits and music soon.
One performance that was my favorite of the CMA Awards Wednesday night was Keith Urban’s Till Summer Comes Along. Very adventurous song, entirely different from the typical Nashville country fare playing that night. It had a ’70s soft rock vibe with a country lilt to it. Even though it’s 5:31 on the album, at least he cut it down to 4 minutes for the TV performance. Because of that, I’m getting his album after a few months of trying.
Because of Taylor and Keith country is going rock. In my opinion neither of them are any good. Taylor can’t carry a tune in a bucket.Carrie and Martina are two of the greatest singers ever.