Thursday night delivered one of the most competitive primetime lineups of the season, blending high-stakes culinary battles, nostalgic game show revivals, broadcast drama staples, and a growing wave of Olympic anticipation. From the adrenaline of Next Level Chef to the procedural reliability of 9-1-1, the quirky charm of Elsbeth, and the retro return of Scrabble, audiences had no shortage of options. Meanwhile, early promotional momentum for the 2026 Winter Olympics — officially known as the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo — is already influencing primetime scheduling strategies.
Here’s a full breakdown of how Thursday night played out across broadcast television.
FOX: Reality Competition vs. Scripted Strength
Next Level Chef Continues Its Solid Run
Next Level Chef has quietly become one of FOX’s most dependable unscripted performers. The Gordon Ramsay–fronted culinary competition consistently pulls in a strong share among adults 18–49, proving that food-based reality shows still have plenty of heat left.
Thursday’s episode maintained its core demo audience with minimal week-to-week erosion — an increasingly rare feat in today’s fragmented TV landscape. While total viewers may fluctuate slightly depending on competition, the series benefits from:
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A recognizable star in Gordon Ramsay
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A dynamic, visually layered set design
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Multi-platform streaming support
The show’s ability to hold audience attention mid-season suggests long-term franchise potential.
9-1-1 Remains a Procedural Powerhouse
Over in scripted territory, 9-1-1 continues to anchor its time slot with remarkable consistency. The first-responder drama has built a loyal audience over the years, and even amid shifting network strategies, it remains a steady performer in both linear and delayed viewing.
While ratings may not spike dramatically week-to-week, stability is the real victory. Procedurals traditionally age well, and 9-1-1 demonstrates how appointment viewing still exists when audiences feel invested in characters.
CBS: Smart Drama and Classic Wordplay
Elsbeth Builds on Its Growing Reputation
CBS continues to lean into smart, character-driven storytelling, and Elsbeth is emerging as one of its strongest newer additions. A spinoff rooted in legal intrigue and offbeat humor, the series has attracted a dedicated fan base.
Thursday’s performance reinforced its upward trajectory, particularly among older viewers who traditionally gravitate toward CBS’s crime and legal programming. What sets Elsbeth apart is tone: it balances wit with mystery, offering a lighter alternative to darker procedurals.
Its ratings success isn’t explosive — it’s sustainable. And in 2026 television economics, sustainability wins.
Scrabble Taps Into Nostalgia
Meanwhile, the revival of Scrabble taps directly into multi-generational nostalgia. Game show revivals often face the challenge of modernizing without losing identity, but early ratings suggest that audiences are curious — and engaged.
The show’s appeal lies in simplicity. In a crowded entertainment ecosystem dominated by high-concept reality formats, a straightforward word game offers comfort and accessibility. Whether it can maintain momentum over multiple weeks remains to be seen, but its initial sampling numbers are encouraging.
The Olympic Factor: Milan Cortina 2026 Looms
With the 2026 Winter Olympics on the horizon, networks are already strategizing. Major sporting events reshape television patterns, and promotional efforts are gradually entering primetime inventory.
The Milan-Cortina Games mark a return to Italy for the Winter Olympics for the first time since 2006. The dual-city hosting model — pairing the metropolitan energy of Milan with the alpine tradition of Cortina d’Ampezzo — provides strong marketing imagery.
Historically, Olympic cycles can:
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Boost network cross-promotion
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Shift advertiser investment
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Impact February scheduling patterns
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Temporarily suppress competing programming
Even in early promotional phases, Olympic branding subtly reinforces network identity and audience loyalty.
What the Ratings Really Tell Us
Thursday’s ratings landscape reveals several broader industry trends:
1. Consistency Beats Flash
Programs like 9-1-1 and Elsbeth aren’t necessarily delivering viral moments each week — but they don’t need to. Reliable viewership is more valuable than short-lived spikes.
2. Nostalgia Still Works
From word games like Scrabble to competition formats built on familiar tropes, audiences continue to embrace content that feels recognizable.
3. Reality Competition Remains Durable
Next Level Chef reinforces that competitive formats with charismatic hosts continue to resonate, especially when paired with social media engagement.
4. Sports Cast Long Shadows
Even before the Olympic flame is lit, anticipation for Milan-Cortina 2026 influences scheduling decisions and advertising strategies.
Streaming and Delayed Viewing Impact
It’s impossible to discuss ratings without acknowledging multiplatform viewing. Same-day linear ratings represent only part of the story. Shows like Elsbeth and 9-1-1 often see substantial lifts in:
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DVR playback
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Network streaming apps
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Next-day on-demand platforms
As a result, overnight ratings alone no longer determine a show’s survival. Networks now analyze cumulative audience data across multiple windows.
The Bottom Line
Thursday night demonstrated the resilience of traditional broadcast television — even in an era dominated by streaming giants. While audiences have more viewing options than ever before, established franchises and well-produced competition series still command attention.
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Next Level Chef remains FOX’s unscripted standout.
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9-1-1 continues delivering dependable drama.
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Elsbeth is quietly becoming a CBS staple.
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Scrabble proves nostalgia can still attract sampling.
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And the approaching Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are already shaping network strategy.
In short: stability, familiarity, and strategic event planning define the current ratings landscape.
As networks prepare for an Olympic year, Thursday nights may only grow more competitive.
