Monday TV Ratings 2/9/26: The Rookie Drops to Series Low Against Declining Winter Olympics, American Idol and Memory of a Killer Also Slip
Monday night delivered a mixed — and in some cases troubling — ratings picture across the broadcast networks. While the Winter Olympics continued to dominate overall viewership, its audience has begun to taper off. Even so, the competition proved tough enough to push several scripted and unscripted series downward — including The Rookie, which hit a new series low.
The Rookie Hits a Series Low
ABC’s The Rookie saw a noticeable dip in the key demo, marking its lowest-rated episode to date. Although the show has long relied on strong delayed and streaming numbers to bolster its performance, live ratings still matter — particularly in a competitive Monday landscape.
The episode faced off against Olympic coverage on NBC, which, while declining week-to-week, still commands a sizable audience. Historically, the Olympics disrupt regular programming patterns, and this season appears no different. Even as Olympic ratings soften compared to opening week, the event remains a powerful lead-in competitor.
That said, a series low doesn’t necessarily spell danger. Many veteran dramas experience gradual erosion over time, especially in an era where live viewing continues to decline across the board.
Olympics Slide, But Still Lead the Night
NBC’s Winter Olympics broadcast dipped again compared to the previous Monday but still topped the night in total viewers and key demos. Large-scale sporting events often front-load their biggest audiences during opening ceremonies and marquee competitions, with natural audience drop-off as the games continue.
Despite that decline, the Olympics still created enough audience fragmentation to impact scripted programming across other networks.
American Idol Also Slips
ABC’s American Idol saw a modest ratings decline as well. The long-running competition series has demonstrated stability in recent seasons, but like most entertainment programming, it felt the ripple effects of Olympic competition and seasonal viewing fatigue.
While not a dramatic drop, the downward tick reflects the broader trend of audience dilution on high-competition nights.
Memory of a Killer Trends Down
Fox’s Memory of a Killer also experienced a ratings dip. As a newer entry in the schedule, the series may be more vulnerable to external competition. Fresh dramas often rely heavily on consistent sampling during their early episodes, and interruptions from major events like the Olympics can slow momentum.
The Bigger Picture
The overall Monday ratings story isn’t about a single show underperforming — it’s about fragmentation. Live television continues to face steady erosion, particularly when stacked against large-scale live events and streaming alternatives.
For shows like The Rookie, delayed viewing and digital performance will play a critical role in evaluating long-term health. A live series low is notable, but it exists within a broader industry trend where even strong performers face gradual linear declines.
As the Winter Olympics wind down, the coming weeks will offer a clearer picture of whether these dips represent temporary disruption — or deeper trajectory shifts.
