Nielsens: CMA Awards hit record low

by Gary Levin, USA TODAY

Posted November 6, 2012

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Some 9.1 million viewers followed Reba McEntire to 'Malibu Country.' (Credit: Karen Neal, ABC)

Country time: ABC's Country Music Association Awards notched 13.7 million viewers Thursday, a record low that's down 17% from last year's ceremony, which aired on a Wednesday. BET's Black Girls Rock rocked 2.1 million Sunday.

Reba rises: Reba McEntire lured a strong opening Friday for ABC comedy Malibu Country (9.1 million viewers) behind the season premiere of Tim Allen's Last Man Standing (8.1 million). Against both, CBS' Undercover Boss returned with 8 million. And at 9 ET/PT, Shark Tank (7.4 million) hit a series high in its new slot.

Political storm: Election coverage and Hurricane Sandy boosted evening newscasts and helped Fox News lead all cable networks for a third consecutive week, with a prime-time average of 3.1 million viewers. The Weather Channel captivated 3.1 million Monday night as Sandy made landfall.