The Office Nielsen Ratings

The Office's first season had mediocre ratings. Due to Steve Carell's hit movie, The 40 Year Old Virgin being released, and due to other factors, it gained viewers throughout Seasons Two, Three, and Four. Season Five was, so far, its highest rated season. Season Six continues the slow gain in viewers from Season one.

Season One
The Office, which was based on the BBC series of the same name, premiered to strong ratings. However, those ratings fell sharply by the second episode. Season One's finale episode, "Hot Girl," had the lowest ratings of any episode to date. Nonetheless, NBC renewed the series for a second season. This season aired on Tuesdays at 9:30 PM, although the pilot aired on Thursday at 9:30 PM.


 * Pilot

The Office had 11.20 million viewers and scored a 5.0/13.


 * Diversity Day

The Office had 6.00 million viewers and scored a 2.7/6.


 * Health Care

The Office had 5.80 million viewers and scored a 2.9/7 in the 18-49 demo.


 * The Alliance

The Office had 5.40 million viewers and scored a 2.4/6 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Basketball

The Office had 5.00 million viewers and scored a 2.4/6 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Hot Girl

The Office had 4.80 million viewers and scored a 2.3/5 in the 18-49 demo.

Season Two
The Office started to get away from the hugely popular BBC series, and began to have its own voice. It was given a 22 episode order after good ratings. Season Two was a large improvement from Season One because of Steve Carell's movie (see List of movies containing the cast of The Office) and because of a new tone and different type of humor. The first 10 episodes aired on Tuesdays at 9:30 PM, while the remaining 12 aired on Thursdays at 9:30 PM, joining the "Must See TV" Thursday night lineup.


 * The Dundies

The Office had 9.00 million viewers and a 4.3/10 in the 18-49 demo. It premiered after the Pilot of the other NBC show, My Name Is Earl.


 * Sexual Harassment

Currently unknown


 * Office Olympics

The Office had 8.3 million viewers and a 3.9/9 in the 18-49 demo.


 * The Fire

The Office had 7.6 million viewers with a 3.7/9 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Halloween

The Office had 8.00 million viewers and scored a 4.1/10 in the 18-49 demo.


 * The Fight

The Office had 7.9 million viewers and scored a 3.9/9 in the 18-49 demo.


 * The Client

The Office had 7.5 million viewers and scored a 3.8/9 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Performance Review

The Office had 8.00 million viewers and scored a 3.9/9 in the 18-49 demo.


 * E-mail Surveillance

The Office had 8.10 million viewers and scored a 3.9/9 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Christmas Party

The Office had 9.70 million viewers and scored a 4.3/10 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Booze Cruise

The Office had 8.50 million viewers and scored a 4.5/11 in the 18-49 demo.


 * The Injury

Currently Unknown.


 * The Secret

Currently Unknown.


 * The Carpet

Currently Unknown.


 * Boys and Girls

Currently Unknown.


 * Valentine's Day

Currently Unknown.


 * Dwight's Speech

The Office had 8.40 million viewers and scored a 4.4/10 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Take Your Daughter to Work Day

The Office had 8.8 million viewers and scored a 4.2/11 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Michael's Birthday

The Office had 7.8 million viewers and a 4.0/10 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Drug Testing

The Office had 7.8 million viewers and scored a 3.9/10 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Conflict Resolution

The Office had 7.4 million viewers and scored a 3.7/9 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Casino Night

The Office had 7.7 million viewers and scored a 3.9/10 in the 18-49 demo.

Season Three
During Season Three, The Office continued to get away from the BBC series, however parts of the plot were used from the UK office. During this season, The Office also gained more attention, and it won an Emmy for Season Two, gaining hype. It aired on Thursdays at 8:30 PM, making up part of the NBC Thursday lineup, "Comedy Night Done Right" along with My Name Is Earl, 30 Rock, and Scrubs. The Office gained hit status during Season Three.


 * Gay Witch Hunt

The season opener gained 9.10 million viewers and scored a 4.3/11 in the critical 18-49 demo.


 * The Convention

The Office had 7.8 million viewers and scored a 3.9/10 in the 18-49 demo.


 * The Coup

Currently unknown.


 * Grief Counseling

Currently unknown.


 * Initiation

Currently unknown.


 * Diwali

The Office gained 8.8 million viewers and scored a 4.2/10 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Branch Closing

Currently unknown.


 * The Merger

Currently unknown.


 * The Convict

Currently unknown.


 * A Benihana Christmas

The Office gained 8.4 million viewers and had a 3.9/11 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Back From Vacation

Currently unknown.


 * Traveling Salesmen

The Office gained 10.10 million viewers and scored a 5.0/13 in the 18-49 demo.


 * The Return

Currently unknown.


 * Ben Franklin

The Office gained 10.10 million viewers and scored a 5.0/13 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Phyllis' Wedding

The Office gained 8.8 million viewers and scored a 4.4/11 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Business School

The Office had 8.8 million viewers and scored a 4.4/11 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Cocktails

The Office had 8.8 million viewers and scored a 4.2/10 in the 18-49 demo.


 * The Negotiation

The Office had 6.7 million viewers and scored a 3.2/10 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Safety Training

The Office had 7.7 million viewers and scored a 4.1/11 in the critical 18-49 demo.


 * Product Recall

The Office had 7.6 million viewers and scored a 3.9/11 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Women's Appreciation

The Office had 7.6 million viewers and scored a 3.2/10 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Beach Games

The Office had 7.2 million viewers and scored a 3.9/11 in the 18-49 demo.


 * The Job

The Office had 7.9 million viewers and scored a 3.9/12 in the 18-49 demo.

Season Four
During Season Four, a writer's strike cut the amount of episodes from 30 to 19. Although there was no Christmas episode, The Office maintained the ratings gain from Season One. It once again gained praise, and also viewers after a critically acclaimed second and third seasons. From this season forward, The Office aired on Thursdays at 9:00 PM.


 * Fun Run

The Office gained 9.67 million viewers and scored a 5.1/12 in the 18-49 share.


 * Dunder Mifflin Infinity

The Office gained 8.49 million viewers and scored a 4.5/11 in the 18-49 share.


 * Launch Party

The Office gained 8.91 million viewers and scored a 4.7/11 in the 18-49 share.


 * Money

The Office gained 8.50 million viewers and scored a 4.4/11 in the 18-49 share.


 * Local Ad

The Office gained 8.98 million viewers and scored a 4.7/11 in the 18-49 share.


 * Branch Wars

The Office gained 8.39 million viewers and scored a 4.5/11 in the 18-49 share.


 * Survivor Man

The Office gained 8.29 million viewers and scored a bit less at 4.3/10 in the 18-49 share.


 * The Deposition

The Office gained 8.86 million viewers and scored a 4.8/11 in the 18-49 share.


 * Dinner Party

The Office gained 9.22 million viewers and scored a 4.8/12 in the 18-49 share.


 * Chair Model

The Office gained 9.81 million viewers and scored a 4.9/13 in the 18-49 share.


 * Night Out

The Office gained 7.56 million viewers and scored a 3.9/10 in the 18-49 share.


 * Did I Stutter?

The Office gained 7.67 million viewers and scored a 3.9/10 in the 18-49 share.


 * Job Fair

The Office gained 7.22 million viewers and scored a 3.6/9 in the 18-49 share.


 * Goodbye, Toby

The Office gained 8.07 million viewers and scored a 4.1/10 in the 18-49 share.

Season Five
After yet another high-rated season, Season 5 started the season with great ratings. It was chosen to air after the Super Bowl, and enjoyed it's highest rated season yet. It ranked top among NBC shows along with The Biggest Loser and other Thursday comedy, 30 Rock, although that was even very low rated. The Office aired with My Name Is Earl, Kath and Kim/Parks and Recreation, and 30 Rock. It ended the season with okay ratings, but the season finale was the second lowest rated finale episode ever after "Hot Girl".


 * Weight Loss

The Office gained 9.195 million viewers and gained a 4.9/11 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Business Ethics

The Office gained 8.998 million viewers and gained a 4.6/11 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Baby Shower

The Office gained 8.07 million viewers and scored a 4.1/10 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Crime Aid

The Office gained 7.74 million viewers and scored a 4.0/10 in the critical 18-49 demo.


 * Employee Transfer

The Office gained 9.32 million viewers and scored a 4.7/12 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Customer Survey

The Office gained 8.35 million viewers and scored a 4.2/10 share in the 18-49 demo.


 * Business Trip

The Office gained 8.18 million viewers and scored a 4.0/9 share in the 18-49 demo.


 * Frame Toby

The Office gained 8.40 million viewers and scored a 4.3/10 in the 18-49 demo.


 * The Surplus

The Office gained 8.33 million viewers and scored a 4.3/11 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Moroccan Christmas

The Office gained 8.79 million viewers and scored a 4.8/12 in the 18-49 demo.


 * The Duel

The Office gained 8.346 million viewers and scored a 4.3/10 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Prince Family Paper

The Office gained 8.739 million viewers and scored a 4.6/11 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Stress Relief: Super Bowl

The Office gained 22.00 million viewers (with 37.7 million viewers watching at least 6 minutes of the show) and scored a 10.6/35 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Lecture Circuit Part 1

The Office gained 8.396 million viewers and scored a 4.3/11 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Lecture Circuit Part 2

The Office gained 8.887 million viewers and scored a 4.6/11 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Blood Drive

The Office gained 8.627 million viewers and scored a 4.5/11 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Golden Ticket

The Office gained 7.513 million viewers and scored a 4.0/10 in the 18-49 demo.


 * New Boss

The Office gained 7.953 million viewers and scored a 3.9/10 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Two Weeks

The Office gained 8.445 million viewers and scored a 4.3/11 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Dream Team

The Office gained 7.20 million viewers and scored a 3.3/11 in the 18-49 demo.


 * The Michael Scott Paper Company

The Office gained 7.94 million viewers and scored a 3.9/11 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Heavy Competition

The Office gained 8.24 million viewers and scored a 4.1/11 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Broke

The Office gained 7.21 million viewers and scored a 3.7/10 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Casual Friday

The Office garnered 7.31 million viewers and scored a 3.7/10 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Café Disco

The Office garnered 7.71 million viewers and scored a 3.8/11 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Company Picnic

The Office garnered 6.72 million viewers and scored a 3.5/9 in the 18-49 demo.

Season Six
Although The Office is NBC's top scripted show by far, it had trouble with the ratings for the first few episodes of the season. However, after "Niagara," a highly anticipated episode, it gained viewers. It is currently a high-rated season, and has continued the gain from Season One. It is against Fringe, CSI, and Grey's Anatomy. It once again makes up part of the critically acclaimed, "Must See TV," on Thursday along with Community, Parks and Recreation, and veteran comedy, 30 Rock.


 * Gossip

The Office gained 8.10 million viewers and a 4.0/11 in the 18-49 demo.


 * The Meeting

The Office gained 7.33 million viewers and scored a 3.8/10 in the 18-49 demo.


 * The Promotion

The Office gained 7.28 million viewers and scored a 3.7/10 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Niagara

The Office gained 9.10 million viewers and scored a 4.5/12 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Mafia

The Office gained 8.08 million viewers and scored a 4.0/10 in the 18-49 demo.


 * The Lover

The Office garnered 8.52 million viewers and scored a 4.2/11 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Koi Pond

The Office gained 8.14 million viewers and scored a 4.2/10 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Double Date

The Office gained 7.94 million viewers and scored a 3.9/10 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Murder

The Office gained 8.05 million viewers and scored a 4.2/10 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Shareholder Meeting

The Office gained 7.43 million viewers and scored a 3.7/9 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Scott's Tots

The Office gained 8.05 million viewers and scored a 4.1/11 in the 18-49 demo.


 * Secret Santa

The Office gained 9.24 million viewers and scored a 4.4/12 in the 18-49 demo.