NBC’s ‘This Is Us’ defeats ‘Empire’ for the first time in live+3 ratings

Do we have a new #1 in terms of scripted dramas on network TV? It may be a little bit early to make this sort of proclamation entirely, but it does feel like we’re starting to get there when it comes to NBC’s “This Is Us.”

According to a new press release issued Monday night, Tuesday night’s new episode of the series starring Mandy Moore and Milo Ventimiglia ended up drawing a 4.2 rating in the 18-49 demographic when you factor in the live+3 data that comes from streams and DVR viewing. This is a very impressive increase from the 2.7 rating that the show drew in the live+same day figures. This managed to top “Empire,” which went from a 2.9 to a 4.0 rating, for the first time since premiering on TV.

To us, we’re not going to be reading to hand over the #1 Network Drama crown to “This Is Us” until it actually manages to topple “Empire” in the live data, given that this is the most profitable measure for the majority of networks out there since they want all of that ad revenue. We do feel like the changing of the guard could be coming for several different reasons, with one of the biggest ones being the mere fact that “This Is Us” seems to be either staying consistent or rising while “Empire” is on more of the way down.

In general, “This Is Us” still has a long way to go in order to take the title of #1 scripted show on the air, largely because of the fact that “The Walking Dead,” while on the way down, is still generating ratings above a 5.0. Meanwhile, you still have “The Big Bang Theory” as a huge threat in terms of becoming the #1 scripted show on all TV.

Want to get some other news when it comes to “This Is Us”? Then we suggest that you head over to this link, since that is where you can see some of the latest casting news when it comes to the show. (Photo: NBC.)