Raw last night averaged 1.78 million viewers and drew a 0.54 rating in 18-49.
The number in a sense would be disappointing if only because SmackDown's ratings for night one of the WWE Draft were so high, and Raw's number was down from the past few weeks.
Raw went against two NBA playoff games, the first two hours against the Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics (4,741,000/1.64) and third hour against the Phoenix Suns-Denver Nuggets (4,542,000/1.62). In addition the New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils did 2.05 million/0.69) on ESPN.
Raw ended up fifth for the night, behind the three playoff games and Inside the NBA playoffs on TNT.
Raw was fifth in women 18-49, fifth in men 18-49, fifth in people 18-34, fifth in women 12-34, and fifth in men 12-34. In total viewers, it was ninth behind four sports shows and four news shows.
Going forward, Raw will be much higher in total viewer standings on Mondays than in the past due to the collapse of Fox News, which did 1.60 million/0.07 as compared with 2.55 million/0.17 two weeks ago in the three hours head-to-head.
Raw was down two percent in viewers, down three percent in 18-49, and the same in 18-34 from last week.
From one year ago, it was up 12 percent in viewers, up 43 percent in 18-49, and up 82 percent in 18-34. That's not even figuring in the decline of cable homes.
Aside from the NBA and NHL, Raw beat everything else on television but American Idol on ABC, which did a 0.58 in 18-49, but a network has such a huge advantage that it would have to be considered a win for Raw. In 18-34, Raw handily beat everything on network television and everything but the NHL and NBA playoffs head-to-head.
The show had normal declines with viewers above the age of 35, but under 35, viewers stayed with the show at a stronger than usual level, in particular teenage boys.
The three hours were:
- 8 p.m. 1.84 million viewers
- 9 p.m. 1.87 million viewers
- 10 p.m. 1.62 million viewers
