THE NUMBERS

On Thursday, February 29, the series launch of “Elsbeth,” a spinoff of “The Good Wife” and “The Good Fight,” managed to top the combined audience of its timeslot competition on ABC and NBC, Nielsen reports.

Averaging 4.48 million viewers in Live+Same Day, “Elsbeth” won its timeslot, which included ABC’s repeat airing of “Will Trent” and NBC’s airing of an all-new “Law & Order: Organized Crime” (4.48 million for CBS vs. 4.43 million for ABC/NBC), and retained nearly 100% of its “So Help Me Todd” lead-in. The series was also up +45% over the fall premiere week time period occupant and up +38% from the 2022-2023 time period average. It’s estimated that when adding in Nielsen’s Most Current data, including L+7 multiplatform viewing figures, the first episode of “Elsbeth” will grow to 6.1 million viewers.

Outside of the “Elsbeth” premiere, CBS saw its Thursday audience grow week-to-week, with “Young Sheldon” (6.98 million), “Ghosts” (6.05 million) and “So Help Me Todd” (4.53 million) each up week to week among Total Viewers. In fact, “So Help Me Todd” was up 9% overall week-to-week.

When adding in streaming, CBS’ shows saw double-digit gains from their year ago audiences on an AMA basis, including “Young Sheldon,” up +30% from the third episode last season, and “Ghosts” was up +23% from its third episode last season. Meanwhile, “So Help Me Todd” was up +23% from last season’s third episode and up +6% from last week’s second episode. 

Compared to the year ago premiere of “CSI: Vegas,” “Elsbeth” is up +42%.

“Elsbeth” stars Emmy Award winner Carrie Preston as Elsbeth Tascioni, an astute but unconventional attorney who utilizes her singular point of view to make unique observations and corner brilliant criminals alongside the NYPD. After leaving her successful legal career in Chicago to tackle a new investigative role in New York City, Elsbeth finds herself jockeying with the toast of the NYPD, Captain C.W. Wagner (Wendell Pierce), a charismatic and revered leader. Working alongside Elsbeth is Officer Kaya Blanke (Carra Patterson), a stoic and ethical officer who quickly develops an appreciation for Elsbeth’s insightful and offbeat ways.

The series airs Thursdays at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. You can also stream the show Live and On Demand on Paramount+.