TV ratings: ‘24: Live Another Day’ makes solid debut

The heavily promoted return of Jack Bauer got off to a solid start in the ratings Monday.

Fox’s two-hour premiere of “24: Live Another Day” averaged 8 million viewers and earned a rating of 2.5 among key 18- to 49-year-olds, according to early numbers from Nielsen.

In the 12-episode revival of the hit counter-terrorism action-drama that ended its run in 2010, Kiefer Sutherland reprises his role as super-agent Jack Bauer, who comes out of hiding in London to thwart another terrorist attack.

The 2.5 in 18-49 is down about 11% from the eighth and final season finale four years ago, and considering the drop in overall network television viewership over the years, a 2.5 looks better today than it would have in 2010. The most recent “24” Monday debut, in 2010 following a Sunday premiere, scored a 3.5 in 18-49.

Season 8 of “24” averaged a 2.8 in 18-49 and 9.1 million viewers, total.

NBC won the night in the key demo with “The Voice” (3.0) and “The Blacklist” (2.7), both of which held steady with their numbers from last week. The singing contest previewed its incoming coaches Pharrell Williams and Gwen Stefani, who performed together on the show.

With 11.4 million viewers overall, ABC was the most-watched network, though “Dancing With the Stars” suffered against the big “24” premiere. “DWTS” sank 31% week-to-week to a 1.8 in the key demographic, while “Castle” was down about 20% to a 1.6.

CBS’ “2 Broke Girls” closed out its season on a low note with a 1.9, down 17% from last week. “Friends with Better Lives” (1.6) and “Mike & Molly” (1.8) were both down double-digit percentages.