Ratings: Voice Returns Up; Blacklist Destroys Hostages

NBC topped the first official night of the new season, led byThe Voice and The Blacklist.
Fresh off its Emmy win, The Voice, Monday to 14.7 million viewers and a 4.9 in the adults 18-to-49 demographic, improving 17 percent from last fall's debut.

James Spader's new drama The Blacklist, one of TVGuide.com users' most anticipated new dramas, followed with 12.6 million and a 3.8, easily dominating the 10 o'clockhour and crushing Castle's sixth season premiere (11.5 million, 2.2), which was up vs. last year, and CBS' new drama, Hostages, which debuted to only 7.5 million viewers and a 1.8, tying Hawaii Five-0's performance in the slot last year. The Blacklist was down 7 percent in the demo vs. Revolution's premiere last year, but it pulled in more viewers.

Fall TV Popularity Contest: What did you think of Mom, The Blacklist and Hostages?

CBS' other series premiere for the night, Mom, drew 7.9 million and a 2.5, down six tenths from Mike & Molly's season opener last year. How I Met Your Mother's one-hour premiere (9.2 million, 3.6) held steady and 2 Broke Girls (8.8 million, 2.8) fell 24 percent.On Fox, Bones (6.7 million, 1.9) and Sleepy Hollow (8.6 million, 3.1) both dipped four tenths, while ABC's Dancing with the Stars (13.4 million, 2.3) slipped eight tenths from last week.8 p.m.
CBS: How I Met Your Mother 9.2 million viewers (3.6 demo rating) [8-9 p.m.]ABC: Dancing with the Stars 13.4 million (2.3) [8-10 p.m.]Fox: Bones 6.7 million (1.9)NBC: The Voice 14.7 million (4.9) [8-10 p.m.]9 p.m.
CBS: 2 Broke Girls 8.8 million (2.8); Mom 7.9 million (2.5)Fox: Sleepy Hollow 8.6 million (3.1)10 p.m.
CBS: Hostages 7.5 million (1.8)ABC: Castle 11.5 million (2.2)NBC: The Blacklist 12.6 million (3.8)