Chicago Med Is Catching Up To Chicago Fire In NBC’s Ratings, And I Totally Get It After The Fall Finales

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As a long-time devotee of the One Chicago universe, I must say that the upcoming winter premieres and crossover event have me absolutely thrilled! Having followed these shows since their inception, I can confidently say that the recent ratings and audience sizes for the trio – Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med – are a testament to the enduring appeal of this gritty, Windy City-based franchise.

The numbers themselves may seem like just digits on a screen, but they tell an interesting story about the evolution of these shows. For instance, it’s no surprise that One Chicago reigns supreme in NBC’s scripted programming during fall 2024, with only Law & Order: SVU managing to edge out Chicago Med in the 18-49 age demographic rating. The close competition among the three shows, with Chicago Fire leading the pack, is a sight I’ve grown accustomed to over the years.

What caught my attention this season, however, is the narrowing gap between Chicago Fire and Chicago Med in terms of audience size – the smallest in four seasons! This shift could very well be due to the stellar work of new showrunner Allen MacDonald on Chicago Med, as well as a somewhat underwhelming Season 13 for Chicago Fire.

Chicago Med’s strong fall finale was truly a highlight of the season, and I must admit that it left me eagerly anticipating what the future holds for our favorite Gaffney Chicago Medical Center crew. Conversely, while Chicago Fire has been solid enough to keep me tuning in, I can’t help but feel that this season hasn’t quite lived up to its usual excitement level.

All three shows will be crossing over on NBC on January 29 after their winter premieres on January 8, and I can hardly wait! I just hope they don’t keep us waiting until 2019 for another crossover event – my heart can’t take it!

As a final note, let me leave you with a joke: Why did the paramedic bring a ladder to the hospital? Because he heard there was a high CAT scan!

Enthusiasts of NBC’s One Chicago franchise can look forward to a shining future, as the series are slated to resume for their winter premieres ahead of schedule in the 2025 television lineup. Moreover, a three-part crossover event, the first since 2019, is imminent. Interestingly, data has surfaced regarding the ratings and viewership for Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med during the initial phase of the 2024-2025 television season, but the figures have taken an unexpected turn. Remarkably, the medical drama is starting to rival the ratings of Chicago Fire!

After wrapping up with the autumn finales of both series, including Chicago P.D., I now have a good grasp of things, however, before we delve into our discussion, let’s take a look at the viewership data first.

How One Chicago Shows Compared In Ratings This Season So far

Among NBC’s scripted shows during fall 2024, it’s no wonder that the three series of One Chicago hold the top three spots, given their ratings and audience numbers as reported by TVLine. Interestingly, only one show outside of the Windy City beats a scripted program there in terms of the 18-49 age demographic rating: Law & Order: SVU narrowly outranks Chicago Med.

It’s no shock that Chicago’s TV shows are very close in terms of total viewers (around 1 million) and ratings (within 0.04 points) after a week into this season. As expected, Fire continues to lead with approximately 7.8 million viewers and a demo rating of 0.61. Med follows closely in terms of viewership at about 7.4 million, but trails slightly in the demo rating with 0.57 points. Interestingly, P.D. ranks third in audience size with around 6.9 million viewers, yet it holds the second spot in ratings, boasting a demo rating of 0.60.

As a long-time fan of the Chicago franchise, I must say that I find it fascinating to observe the evolution of both “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago Med.” Over the years, I’ve noticed a notable shift in their ratings – a gap that once seemed insurmountable is now closing at an impressive pace. In fact, the difference between the two shows has narrowed to just 400,000 viewers in the latest season, marking the smallest gap we’ve seen in four seasons.

This development has piqued my interest, leading me to delve deeper into the storylines and character arcs of both series. In my opinion, it appears that “Chicago Med” is steadily catching up to its sister show, “Chicago Fire.” While I’m not an industry expert, my personal take on this trend is that the writers have managed to craft more captivating stories for “Chicago Med,” drawing viewers in and keeping them engaged.

The characters in “Chicago Med” have always been well-developed, but the recent seasons have seen a renewed focus on their personal lives and growth, which has resonated with audiences. Additionally, the blend of medical drama and procedural elements keeps the action moving at a brisk pace while maintaining emotional depth.

In contrast, “Chicago Fire” has been a staple in my TV rotation for years, but I’ve found the storylines becoming somewhat repetitive in recent seasons. While the characters are still compelling, I feel that the show could benefit from some fresh narrative ideas to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

Overall, it’s an exciting time for fans of the Chicago franchise as we watch “Chicago Med” close the gap with its older sibling. I eagerly anticipate seeing how both shows continue to evolve in future seasons and can’t wait to see which one comes out on top!

Chicago Med Season 10 Has Been Fantastic (With A Killer Fall Finale)

With the arrival of Season 10, Chicago Med embarked on a fresh chapter, welcoming new showrunner Allen MacDonald to take over from previous heads Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider. Interestingly, this season’s fall finale stood out as the most compelling across the entire One Chicago universe, a claim that I believe is supported by many viewers. It’s worth noting that usually, Chicago Med‘s premieres and finales don’t rank highest for me.

Chicago Fire Has Been Average

I’ve been thoroughly enjoying Chicago Fire so far, and I haven’t skipped a single episode, but to be honest, the thirteenth season hasn’t been particularly thrilling yet.

An Honorable Mention For Chicago P.D.

I particularly look forward to the premieres and endings of Chicago P.D., but its late broadcasting hour sometimes complicates direct comparison with other series within the One Chicago franchise due to varying viewership patterns.

Lucky for us, all three shows will air on NBC on January 29 next year, following their winter premieres on January 8.

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2025-01-01 08:07