Fall 2025 has arrived, and with it comes a fresh batch of new TV shows. But as anyone in the industry knows, a show’s success isn’t just about the pilot buzz—it’s about the numbers. This year, we’re seeing some interesting trends: fewer new scripted series, changing viewer habits, and the ever‐critical 18-49 demo being more important than ever. According to a report by TV Insider, only eight new broadcast shows have premiered this fall, and just four of them are scripted.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the ratings of these new shows—from the lowest performing to the highest—explaining what the numbers mean, what they signal for the networks, and what viewers might want to keep an eye on going forward.
Why Ratings Still Matter in 2025
Live Viewership vs Streaming Shift
It might feel like streaming has taken over, and while that’s true to some degree, live broadcast ratings remain a major benchmark. Advertisers still watch the 18-49 demo like hawks. If a show struggles here, it could be on thin ice even if the total viewers are decent.
The 18-49 Demo and Its Weight
Networks care deeply about the 18-49 age group. It’s not just how many people watch—it’s which people. For instance, the premiere of Celebrity Weakest Link had 1.723 million viewers and a 0.21 in the 18-49 demo. That low demo means advertisers will pay less, putting the show’s future at risk.
A Slower Fall Season Than Usual
This Fall 2025 lineup is remarkably lean. With only eight new broadcast shows and only one being an original (non-spinoff) scripted series, the season is tighter than usual. That means each show’s performance is even more under the microscope.
The Ranking — From Lowest to Highest
Here’s how the new shows stack up, based on premiere viewership and 18-49 demo numbers reported by TV Insider.
1. ‘Celebrity Weakest Link’
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Viewers: ~1.723 million
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18-49 demo: ~0.21
This game show opened with the lowest numbers among the new batch. The modest viewership and low demo score make its future uncertain.
2. ‘On Brand With Jimmy Fallon’
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Viewers: ~2.042 million
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18-49 demo: ~0.22
A slight bump compared to the previous entry, but still under the network’s likely expectations for a big-name host show.
3. ‘99 to Beat’
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Viewers: ~3.117 million
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18-49 demo: ~0.76
Here we see a more respectable viewer count and demo. Game shows can be cheaper to produce, so this could be viewed as a relative success if sustained.
4. ‘The Road’
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Viewers: ~3.206 million
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18-49 demo: ~0.16
Despite a decent total audience, the demo is very weak. That raises red flags for long-term viability.
5. ‘9-1-1: Nashville’
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Viewers: ~3.752 million
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18-49 demo: ~0.29
A spinoff in the popular 9‑1‑1 franchise, this show is doing better than some newcomers—though it still has work to do in the critical demo.
6. ‘DMV’
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Viewers: ~3.930 million
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18-49 demo: ~0.30
An original scripted series (which is rare this fall) doing reasonably well—both total viewers and demo are stronger than some peers.
7. ‘Sheriff Country’
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Viewers: ~4.452 million
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18-49 demo: ~0.20
Despite higher total viewers, the demo is still modest. Large viewer numbers are good, but a weak demo can undermine value.
8. ‘Boston Blue’
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Viewers: ~4.736 million
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18-49 demo: ~0.22
Leading the pack in total viewers among the new shows, albeit still with a modest demo score. This makes it the strongest debut so far.
What the Numbers Suggest for Networks & Viewers
Scripts vs Spinoffs — What’s Working?
In this lineup, many of the strong-performing shows are spinoffs. For example, Boston Blue is a spinoff of Blue Bloods. Scripts that are original appear fewer and have varying success. Networks may lean more on known brands to mitigate risk.
Demo Weakness Means Risk
Even when total viewers are decent, a weak 18-49 rating is a warning. Shows with good demo numbers are more appealing to advertisers, meaning more revenue. Sustained low demo ratings can lead to cancellation. Reddit discussions around 9-1-1: Nashville underscore this concern.
Streaming & Delayed Viewing Not in These Figures
The data shown here cover live and same-day broadcast viewing, mostly. They don’t fully capture streaming, DVR, or delayed viewership—areas where many younger viewers are migrating. A show may perform poorly live but have strong delayed streaming numbers, which could save it behind the scenes.
A Competitive Landscape with Fewer New Slots
With fewer new scripted series entering the market this fall, each launch carries heavier weight. Viewers have more options than ever (streaming, cable, etc.), so capturing attention early is critical.
Spotlight Scenes & Case Studies
The Road — Strong Viewer Count, Weak Demo
Despite crossing 3.2 million viewers, The Road drew only a 0.16 in the 18-49 demographic. That suggests the audience skewed older and fewer of the “valuable” viewers were tuning in. That’s a risk for longevity.
9-1-1: Nashville — Franchise Power in Play
Premiering on October 9, 2025, the show drew roughly 3.75 million viewers. It benefits from the established 9-1-1 brand but still needs to up its demo numbers to secure future seasons. Interestingly, local media reports suggest positive economic impact in Nashville tied to the production.
Boston Blue — Leading in Viewers
At nearly 4.74 million viewers for its debut, Boston Blue leads the pack in terms of total audience. That suggests CBS’ gamble on a Blue Bloods spinoff is paying off—at least initially. The demo (0.22) is still modest though.
What You Should Watch Going Forward
Week-by-Week Trends Matter
Debut numbers are helpful, but momentum is key. A show that starts modestly but builds week to week can out‐perform one that starts strong but drops rapidly. Monitor drop-off rates and retention.
Demo Growth or Decline
Networks will keep a close eye on 18-49 numbers moving forward. If a show can grown its demo via social buzz, word of mouth or streaming, it may survive initial bumps.
Streaming + Multi‐Platform Capture
Even though many metrics focus on live broadcast, multi‐platform viewing (streaming, DVR) is increasingly important. Some shows may quietly build stronger performance off‐air.
Genre and Brand Flexibility
Spinoffs (like Boston Blue and 9-1-1: Nashville) benefit from built-in audiences. Originals (like DMV or The Road) face steeper climbs. If originality is paired with strong hook or niche appeal, it can succeed—watch for that.
Network Patience or Push
Networks might give more time to shows with promise (strong concept, good buzz) even if early numbers lag. But given tight budgets and fewer new series, the margin for error is narrowing.
Quick Takeaways
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This fall season is unusually lean, making each show’s performance more critical.
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Total viewers matter, but the 18-49 demo remains the gold standard for advertisers and network decision-making.
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Spinoffs are performing best in this batch; originals have more to prove.
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Streaming and delayed viewing are key, even if not fully captured in early live ratings.
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Week-to‐week trends will likely determine which series survive and which don’t.
Conclusion
Fall 2025’s new TV slate offers an intriguing snapshot of broadcast television in transition. While a few series are off to respectable starts, the demo numbers show there’s no guarantee of longevity. Shows like Boston Blue and 9-1-1: Nashville are in promising positions, but even they must maintain momentum. For originals like The Road, demo struggles signal a steeper climb ahead.
If you’re a viewer, now’s a good time to pick a few of these, give them a try, and watch how they evolve. If you’re a fan of television trends or work in the industry—these numbers are worth tracking closely. Because in a season this tight, every tenth of a point in the demo counts.
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Thank you for reading this deep dive into Fall 2025’s new TV show ratings. Let’s keep our eyes on how each series fares in the weeks to come.
