CW scores an upset with "90210" premiere

The CW scored its highest ratings ever with the two-hour premiere of 90210 Tuesday night, the anticipated sequel to Beverly Hills 90210, which ran on Fox for ten seasons (1990-2000.) Courtesy of PIFeedback.com, here are the results:

- Households (3.9/6, #3); Adults 18-34 (3.0/9, #1); Women 18-34 (4.3/12, #1); Adults 18-49 (2.6/7, #1); Women 18-49 (3.6/9, #1); persons 12-34 (2.7/8, #1); females 12-34 (3.7/11, #1); Teens (1.7/6, #1), Female Teens (2.1/7, #1)

90210 also built in the second hour in all key demos.

And it was also the highest-rated premiere in history among its core audience of adults 18-34.

Now, here are the metered overnight market household ratings and shares (excluding Chicago, which I will get to in a minute:)

- New York (WPIX, 5.4/8, #1); Los Angeles (KTLA, 4.2/7, #2 among English-language programs); Philadelphia (WPSG, 3.8/6, #3); Dallas (KDAF, 2.2/4, #5); San Francisco/Oakland (KBCW, 3.3/6, #2); Boston (WLVI, 4.2/6, #2); Atlanta (WUPA, 5.1/8, #1 for the 1st hour, #2 for the second hour); Washington, D.C. (WDCW, 3.5/5, #4); and Houston (KIAH, 3.4/5, #4).

- Detroit (WKBD, 4.3/7, # 3); Phoenix (KASW, 3.5/5, #4); Tampa-St. Petersburg (WTOG, 3.3/5, #5); Seattle (KSTW, 4.0/7, #3); Minneapolis-St. Paul (WUCW, 2.0/3, #5); Miami (WBZL, 2.4/3, #5 among English-language programs); Cleveland (WBNX, 3.9/6, #5); Denver (KWGN, 1.7/3, #4 first hour, #5 second hour); Orlando (WKCF, 4.2/6, tied at #4), Sacramento (KQCA, 3.8/6, #4); and Indianapolis (WTTV, 3.9/6, #4).

Here in Chicago, 90210 was originally set for 10:30 p.m. because of the Astros-Cubs game, but didn't air until 12:02 a.m. Locally, it finished first with a 2.4 household rating and a 9 share. However, the Astros-Cubs game netted a 9.6/17 in prime-time, far and away the market's number one show for the evening.

In Tampa, the Yankees-Rays game beat 90210 with a 6.0/9 on WXPX-TV (ION), but finished second to America's Got Talent. The Rays are Major League Baseball's surprise team this year, current atop the American League East.

90210 won its time period in New York, Chicago, and Atlanta, but generally finished either fourth or fifth in its time period in most metered markets. Its weakest numbers seemed to be in Minneapolis and Denver (special thanks to Douglas at PIFeedback.com for the numbers.)

Overall, a positive start for 90210, but keep in mind - one episode does not make a hit.

The CW held back an advance screening of the show to television critics, and this is what they had to say about it after they watched it last night... Reviews generally ranged from "unremarkable" to "wholesome".

If you missed the premiere of 90210 (and I know a lot of you Chicagoans did - including myself), you can catch it again Thursday night at 7 p.m. (Central Time.)