Episode 5.15 Ratings Posted February 3, 2012

Episode 5.15 Ratings

Last night's episode of The Big Bang Theory beat American Idol in the key adults 18-49 demographic for the third week running and was the night's most-watched scripted show. The preliminary ratings point to The Big Bang Theory hitting all time highs in the ratings.

"The Friendship Contraction" was watched by 16.38 million people, up by a quarter of a million from last week. In the important 18-49 demo, The Big Bang Theory scored a 5.4/15 rating, down marginally from last week's 5.5/15. Measured across the same half-hour period, Big Bang beat American Idol's 5.0 rating in the demo. For the hour as a whole, the shows are tied with both achieving a 5.4/15 rating. The Big Bang Theory finished first in households, total viewers and key demographics in the common half hour. American Idol was top for the hour as whole.

If the total viewers figure holds up in the final ratings, this episode would be the most-watched episode of The Big Bang Theory ever. The show had been setting Thursday-highs recently but had not yet managed to top two Season 3 episodes which aired following Two and a Half Men on Mondays. Episode 3.17 The Precious Fragmentation is the current most-watched episode of the show, receiving an audience of 16.32 million people.

More about the episode

The Friendship Contraction
Season 5, Episode 15 - Aired February 2, 2012

When Leonard grows tired of Sheldon's selfish demands, he terminates the roommate agreement and downgrades their friendship. Meanwhile, Wolowitz tries to pick his own astronaut nickname.

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