'The Good Doctor' Beats 'The Big Bang Theory' as Highest-Rated Series
Viewership for "The Good Doctors" on ABC is increasing. It has beaten perennially high-rating series "The Big Bang Theory" following the freshman show' debut in September.
On Monday, Oct. 9, "The Good Doctor" received 18.2 million viewers on ABC's 10:00 p.m. EST slot. "The Big Bang Theory" on CBS, which airs every at 8:00 p.m. EST, had 17.9 million viewers.
While both shows are on different time schedules and genres, the numbers are still significant to a new series like "The Good Doctor." It toppled "The Big Bang Theory" as the highest-rated series for Monday when it used to rule that night for 10 seasons.
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It has also been awhile since a medical procedural earned double-digit ratings on television. The numbers for ABC's long-running doctor drama "Grey's Anatomy" have been stuck at an average of 8 million viewers weekly for the last six years.
"The Good Doctor" centers on Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) who is training to become a surgeon in spite of his autism. The show is based off a 2013 Korean drama series and also stars Richard Schiff (Dr. Glassman), Nicholas Gonzales (Dr. Melendes), Antonia Thomas (Dr. Browne), Chucky Modu (Dr. Kalu) and Hill Harper (Dr. Andrews).
"The Big Bang Theory," however, still won Monday night among the 18-49 demographic. It had 4.5 million of its targeted audience, while "The Good Doctor" had 4.2 million.
The comedy series might shoot back to the top spot when it moves on Thursday nights beginning Nov. 2. By then, "The Big Bang Theory" will pair up with its new spinoff "Young Sheldon," which also earned high ratings at 17.2 million viewers when its special preview aired last September.
ABC gave "The Good Doctor" a full season order for season 1 and the network will likely grant the show a second season as well. "The Big Bang Theory," on the other hand, has been renewed on CBS for up to season 12 for 2018-2019 and it might be its final run.
