Summer Ratings Kickoff Underwhelms

Worried about low network ratings during the regular season? Well, say hello to summertime network numbers.

On Memorial Day -- the usual start of summertime viewing -- two networks barely cleared the 2 rating hurdle for the sought-after 18-49 TV advertising viewer group.

CBS won the night with a Nielsen preliminary 2.1 rating/9 share, while ABC earned a 2.0/6. The other four major networks were not only below the 2 rating mark, but all networks were under the 2 ratings for those younger 18-34 viewers.

As is the case in the regular season, CBS monetized its efforts with an all-repeat lineup of its comedies. The best results came from a rerun of its "Two and a Half Men" and its 2.7 rating/7 share among 18-49 viewers.

ABC went with a two-hour "Bachelorette," which peaked in the 9:30 to 10 p.m. half-hour with a 2.3/6. This tied a "Rules of Engagement" repeat on CBS.

Among the new summertime shows, ABC offered up a companion reality effort at 10 p.m. called "Here Come The Newlyweds," which took a 1.9/5 for the night for its premiere.

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ABC says its overall Memorial Day numbers are better than a year ago.

NBC scored well -- comparably speaking -- with its soon-to-be-departed drama "Medium" taking a 2.0/5 on the night and winning the 10 p.m. time period. (The show is moving to CBS.) CBS' "CSI: Miami" repeat took a 1.9/5.

NBC came in at third place for the night with a 1.8/5; Fox earned a 1.6/4; Univision, a 1.4/4; and the CW a 0.4/1. ABC won the night among 18-34 viewers with a 1.7/5, and Univision took second place at a 1.4/4.

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