Episode 5.14 Ratings: Bigger than American Idol Posted January 27, 2012

Episode 5.14 Ratings: Bigger than American Idol

Last night's episode of The Big Bang Theory finished ahead of American Idol in the ratings for the same half-hour period. The Big Bang Theory was the night's highest-rated and most-watched scripted show.

"The Beta Test Initiation" was watched by 15.96 million people, up from 15.83m last week, and scored a 9.6/15 rating in households. The Big Bang Theory scored a 5.4/14 rating in the key adults 18-49 demographic, up by one tenth of a ratings point from last week. The Big Bang Theory also scored a 6.8/17 among adults 25-54 and a 4.0/13 rating in the 18-34 demo.

When compared to American Idol in the common half-hour (8:00-8:30), The Big Bang Theory finished first in total viewers, adults 25-54, adults 18-49 and adults 18-34. Idol's ratings for that time-period were 15.46m viewers, 4.8/14 in the 18-49 demo, 5.9/15 among adults 25-54 and 3.4/11 in  the 18-34 demo. When measured across the hour as a whole, American Idol finishes first in total viewers with 16.99m audience and ties Big Bang in the 18-49 demo.

The Big Bang Theory matched its Thursday-highs in the adults 18-49 and adults 18-34 ratings and matched its second-best Thursday ratings among adults 25-54.

More about the episode

The Beta Test Initiation
Season 5, Episode 14 - Aired January 26, 2012

Leonard and Penny develop a way to build a stronger relationship after they get back together. Meanwhile, Raj forms a strange relationship with his phone's virtual assistant.

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