Season Premiere Ratings Down 25 Percent

Hey All,
I wish I had good news to report to you this morning about Heroes' Season Premiere's ratings, but unfortunately I don't.

Last night's premiere was down 25% from Season 2's Premiere episode and the second episode dropped even further. Less than 10 Million people tuned in and it seems like the show took a much bigger hit than expected from a poor second season and the writer's strike.

Of course before we say this is the beginning of the end, there are few things that must be noted. Ratings for MOST shows has been on a steady decline for the last couple of seasons and all have lost viewers to DVR and Internet Downloading.

Additionally, last night's premiere was up against some stiff competition and with so many shows now on TV, Heroes like LOST is one of the most watched "Time Shifted" (DVR/Tivo) shows on today.

Also, Fringe Fox's new SciFi hit also received a similar rating and the critics are calling it the best new show on TV. So don't jump ship yet. Go out and tell your friends to make sure they watch!

Here is the official report:

The two-hour premiere of NBC's top drama "Heroes" was down 25% compared with last year's one-hour opener, taking an expected hit following a creatively middling second season and an extended nine-month hiatus prompted by the writers strike.

The "Heroes" debut (9.9 million viewers, 4.9 preliminary adults 18-49 rating and a 12 share) ranked second in the 9 p.m. hour after ABC's "Dancing With the Stars' " return, and second at 10 p.m. following CBS' "CSI: Miami" debut. ("Heroes" was actually down even more, 33%, if you include NBC's heavily protested move to push Nielsen last fall to roll its Saturday repeat rating into its premiere). Clip show lead-in "Heroes: Countdown to the Premiere" (6 million, 2.6/7) placed third in the hour.

NBC's weaker standings gave CBS a clear opening to lead the night, and the network took it: CBS won its first premiere week Monday since 2002.

Source: Hollywood Reporter