HDTV Ratings: May 16

Justin Beiber's final farewell tour in CSI

Situation Critical summed up not only Justin Beiber’s fate in last night’s CSI but also the ratings challenge facing TV One’s HD reality half-hour of the same name.

It returned last night at 8.00, only to be crushed by TV3’s HD opposition, Drug Bust, and TV2’s My House My Castle.

In the 25-54 demographic that both TV One and TV3 chase, Situation Critical rated 7.5% and Drug Bust, 16.2%.

The organ transplants series didn’t fare much better in the 18-49 demo — 5.9% vs Drug Bust’s 14.5% — or among household shoppers with kids: 8.5% vs 17.5%.

Drug Bust won in all of these demos as well the 18-39 year-olds TV2 targets.

TV2 owned the rest of the night, however, with its HD juggernauts Shortland Street, Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters.

Nonetheless, TV One’s Castle rated exceptionally well, with an unusually high 9% of 25-54 year-olds opposite Californication’s 5.9%; it also drew marginally more 18-49 year-olds (6.6%) but fewer HHS/kids (7.1%).

Justin Beiber’s final turn in CSI didn’t boost its appeal, with ratings being lower in all the major demos except 25-54.