Debut Ratings Of "X-Files" and "Lucifer" Give Fox A Powerful Monday Night Lineup

Fox's

"The X-Files" picked up right where it left off Sunday night and kept the momentum going into its new Monday night timeslot. Initial numbers from the re-launch of the iconic Emmy winning series showed "The X- Files" gained from early data in both viewers and the 18-49 demo, topping off at 16.2 million and 6.1 rating. The good news for Fox and its investors continued the follow night as 9.6 million viewers came back for the second half of its two-night premiere. The series, which will run in the network's Monday's at 8pm timeslot for the next four weeks, also scored a demo rating of 3.2. Compared to the slot's usual inhabitant "Gotham," that's a sizable increase. The only time "Gotham's" out-performed those 18- 49 metrics was its premiere where it registered a 3.3. "Gotham" will return from its extended winter break next month. Fox's also saw good news for the launch of its latest drama "Lucifer," which trounced former timeslot holder "Minority Report." As it stands "Lucifer," is tied with breakout hit "Rosewood" as Fox's best-performing rookie show of the season. "Lucifer" tempted 7.2 million viewers and scored a demo rating of a 2.4. That's a 74% retention rate from its strategically placed "X-Files" lead-in. By comparison "Minority Report," opened to a 1.0 rating which almost instantly rendered it DOA. "Lucifer" also out-performed "Sleepy Hollow" and "The Following," which held that slot over the past few years. Investors will notice that for the second straight year, after a sub-par fall, Fox is seeing higher levels of success in its back-half of the season. While nothing looks to match the runaway success "Empire," had when it bowed this time last year, the combination of "Rosewood," "X-Files" and "Lucifer," should give shareholders something to cheer.