Is The CW's epic four-part crossover event paying off for the superhero-centric network? Let's look at the numbers...
Let's talk superhero crossover ratings!
Supergirl Crossover Ratings
So far, The CW's epic Heroes vs. Aliens Invasion! crossover event is off to a solid start, with Supergirl hitting its best CW numbers ever. "Medusa" garnered 3.5 million viewers in total (a Supergirl on The CW best) and got a 1.1. in the key advertising demo rating of 18 to 49-year-olds (matching its CW debut and Gotham's fall finale on Fox). This was a 33 percent bump in total viewers and a 20 percent bump in the key demo.
It also seems relevant to note that, while Supergirl was technically the start of the four-part crossover event, it was much more of a Supergirl-specific episode, with Barry and Cisco only popping in at the very end to say hello. It will be interesting to see if the more crossover-intensive installments of the event see more of a ratings bump. (Especially Legends of Tomorrow, which is the least-watched of the four shows and comes at the end of the crossover event.)
The true test for Supergirl will be if the show holds onto any new audience members from the larger CW superhero-verse following the crossover event. It's done relatively well since its move to The CW from CBS. Though its ratings have fallen, that's to be expected when you go from the most-watched of the Big Five TV networks to the least-watched one.
It's worth noting that The CW is playing a different game than CBS, concentrating much more intensely on the millennial demographic vs. the entirety of the 18-49 key demo. So far, Supergirl has done well in the 18-49s and is the second-highest rated show on the network, just behind its friend The Flash.
CW Crossover Ratings
Be sure to check back here for crossover ratings updates after The Flash, Arrow, and Legends of Tomorrow air.