Ratings: ABC’s ‘Splash’ surprises, loses to only ‘NCIS,’ ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’

The moment we saw that ABC was unveiling a series that was really all about celebrity diving, we thought that this was going to go the way of the Betamax in about twelve hours. However, “Splash” actually turned out to make a splash on the viewing public, and the series ended up beating such popular shows as “Hell’s Kitchen” and “New Girl” in the 18-49 demographic.

While we don’t have any clue whether or not any of these same people are going to end up watching next week, a 2.6 is pretty phenomenal for a show with a very small budget, a modest roster of stars, and a sport that is not nearly as exciting to watch as ballroom dancing. Were Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Katherine Webb really this big of a drop? We expect the ratings to take a bit of a dive themselves next week, but ABC will probably be thrilled if this stays anywhere near a 2.0.

The only two shows that “Splash” lost two on the night in primetime where “NCIS” (3.1) and the “Los Angeles” counterpart (2.8), and this was with it being watched by almost eight million fewer people per show. However, this something else coming up that could cause the numbers here to belly-flop: the arrival of “The Voice” next week. This reality juggernaut tends to mow over the competition, and both “Splash” and “Hell’s Kitchen” are probably each in for a world of hurt with it around.

What did you think of the “Splash” premiere, and are you stunned in any way to see it getting the ratings that it did? If you want to also check out our review of the “Dancing with the Stars” premiere from earlier this week, you can do so over at the link here.

Photo: ABC