ABC Tops Monday With ‘The Bachelorette’ S17, ‘The Good Doctor’ Finale – Deadline
The Bachelorette returned to ABC without long-time host Chris Harrison and topped Monday ratings.
Though the season 17 premiere bowed to 3.59M viewers and a 0.9 rating in the 18-49 demographic, per early Nielsen Live+Same day numbers, it marked the lowest premiere in the series’ history. The top-rating program in the 8 to 10 p.m. time slot, The Bachelorette premiere fell from its previous bow in October 2020 (4.76M, 1.3) by 24% in viewers and four tenths in rating.
The Bachelorette saw Katie Thurston in the spotlight and alums Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe taking up hosting duties in Harrison’s absence. Harrison, who caught heat for defending The Bachelor contestant Rachel Kirkconnell amid her photo controversy, stepped down from hosting duties in March.
Hours after the latest installment premiered, Deadline learned that Harrison exited The Bachelor franchise after his 19-year run as host.
Following The Bachelorette‘s two-hour season premiere, The Good Doctor season four ender (3.91M, 0.5) kept ABC at the top Monday evening. The episode, which bid goodbye to Antonia Thomas’ Dr. Claire Browne, also saw Lea’s (Paige Spara) marriage proposal to Shaun (Freddie Highmore).
The Good Doctor finale was up against reruns of Bull on both CBS and NBC. Like other recent finales, The Good Doctor saw a drop in ratings and viewers from its previous season ender (1.1, 7.58M).
From 8 to 10 p.m., going up against The Bachelorette season premiere, NBC’s American Ninja Warrior held its own racking in 3.07M viewers and a 0.5 rating. Fox’s Monday evening consisted of new Hell’s Kitchen (2.42M, 0.6), Housebroken (.97M, 0.3) and Duncanville (.70M, 0.2). The CW showed reruns of All American and Penn & Teller: Fool Us.
