Episode 5.18 Ratings: 'Bang' beats Idol outright Posted February 24, 2012

Episode 5.18 Ratings: 'Bang' beats Idol outright

Last night's episode of The Big Bang Theory topped its time slot, beat American Idol outright for the first time and ranked as the night's most-watched and highest-rated program.

"The Werewolf Transformation" was watched by 16.11 million people, up by 460,000 viewers from last week, and scored a 9.7/16 rating in households. The Big Bang Theory scored a 5.2/15 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic, a 6.6/7 rating among adults 25-54 and a 3.9/13 among adults 18-34. The show was up by 2% in the adults 18-49 demo from last week. The Big Bang Theory finished first in its time slot and for the night as a whole in total viewers, households, adults 18-49 and adults 25-54.

Although The Big Bang Theory has topped American Idol in the ratings for the past five weeks, this was only when compared to American Idol's performance in the same half-hour period as The Big Bang Theory. Yesterday's episode of The Big Bang Theory rated higher than Idol's entire hour-long broadcast. The Big Bang Theory also beat American Idol in the shared half-hour by the largest margins yet.

More about the episode

The Werewolf Transformation
Season 5, Episode 18 - Aired February 23, 2012

Sheldon is thrown for a loop when his regular barber gets sick. No longer able to stick to his routine, Sheldon embraces the chaos. Meanwhile, Wolowitz struggles with his astronaut training.

Similar Stories

Title Date Posted
Weekly Ratings Roundup (Week 34) May 19, 2014

For a round-up of how The Big Bang Theory has performed in various ratings over the last week, head over to our forums to read the weekly update from Rick K.

Fifth Season Finale Ratings May 11, 2012

The fifth season finale of The Big Bang Theory ranked first in its time period and was the night's #1 program in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54.

Episode 5.23 Ratings May 4, 2012

The May 3, 2012 episode of The Big Bang Theory, the penultimate episode of the current season, finished first in the ratings for its time slot and was the night's number #1 program in the key demographics.

Episode 5.22 Ratings April 27, 2012

The April 26, 2012 episode of The Big Bang Theory topped American Idol in key adults 18-49 demographic, despite falling to a season low in the ratings.

Episode 5.21 Ratings April 6, 2012

The April 5, 2012 episode of The Big Bang Theory, featuring guest star Stephen Hawking, beat American Idol and was the night's top program in the key adults 18-49 demographic despite falling to season lows.