Wednesday Ratings: Big Brother & Chicago PD Fate Revealed + Major Cancellations
TV Ratings Report: What America Watched on Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Quick Summary: This report shows which TV shows aired new episodes versus reruns on a specific Wednesday night, plus how their ratings changed compared to previous episodes.
What Happened on This Night?
On Wednesday, July 29, 2026, major networks aired a mix of brand-new episodes and reruns (repeats of old episodes). Think of it like a restaurant menu—some dishes are fresh off the stove, others are leftovers from earlier in the week.
Fresh Episodes (New Content)
These shows served up never-before-seen episodes:
| Show | Network | What It Is |
|---|---|---|
| Who Wants to Be a Millionaire | CBS | Classic quiz show where contestants answer questions for cash |
| Big Brother | CBS | Reality competition where houseguests live together 24/7 |
| MasterChef | FOX | Cooking competition with home cooks |
| Nation’s Dumbest | TBD | Show featuring funny/embarrassing viral videos |
Important Note: The percentages in the full data show how much each show’s ratings went up or down compared to its last new episode. Reruns and specials don’t get percentage changes.
Reruns (Repeats)
These shows aired previously broadcast episodes:
| Show | Network | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage | CBS | Sitcom (spin-off of Young Sheldon) |
| Elsbeth | CBS | Legal drama |
| Chicago Med | NBC | Medical drama |
| Chicago Fire | NBC | Firefighter drama |
| Chicago PD | NBC | Police drama |
| Police 24/7 | TBD | Reality police show |
| Law & Order: Toronto: Criminal Intent | TBD | Canadian crime drama |
Understanding the Ratings Data
The article includes an interactive spreadsheet (the big embedded box) with detailed numbers. Here’s how to read it:
Step-by-Step: How to Use the Ratings Chart
- Find your show – Look for the show name in the left column
- Check the date – Make sure you’re looking at July 29, 2026 data
- Read the numbers – Key columns usually include:
- Rating (percentage of TV households watching)
- Share (percentage of active TVs tuned in)
- Viewers (total millions of people)
- Change % (how much it went up/down vs last new episode)
- Click show links – Each show name links to its own page with full season history
Can’t see the chart?
Try refreshing the page or click this direct link to open it in a new tab.
Why Do Ratings Matter?
Think of ratings like report cards for TV shows:
- High ratings = More people watching = Networks keep the show alive
- Low ratings = Fewer viewers = Show might get canceled
- Advertisers pay more for commercials on high-rated shows
- Networks use ratings to decide what to renew, cancel, or move to different nights
Big Brother Spotlight
Photo: CBS ©2026 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Big Brother aired a new episode this night. It’s one of CBS’s summer staples—like a yearly tradition where strangers live in a house full of cameras, competing for $750,000.
Summary
| Category | Count | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| New Episodes | 4 | Millionaire, Big Brother, MasterChef, Nation’s Dumbest |
| Reruns | 7 | Chicago trio, Elsbeth, Georgie & Mandy, etc. |
| Data Source | 1 | Embedded Google Sheets with live-updating ratings |
| Key Insight | – | Percentages only show for new episodes vs their previous new episode |
Bottom line: This was a mixed night—fresh reality/competition shows on CBS/FOX, while NBC leaned heavily on its "One Chicago" reruns.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. What’s the difference between "Rating" and "Share"?
Rating = % of all TV homes watching (whether their TV is on or not).
Share = % of only TVs that are turned on tuned to that show.
Example: If 100 homes exist, 50 TVs are on, and 10 watch Show X → Rating = 10%, Share = 20%.
2. Why don’t reruns have percentage changes?
Percentages compare a new episode to the last new episode of that show. Reruns aren’t "new," so there’s no fair comparison—they’re just repeats.
3. What does "Original network programming" mean in the final question?
It means shows made for that network (like CBS making Big Brother), not shows bought from elsewhere or streaming leftovers.
4. How often are these ratings updated?
The article says show pages get daily final ratings when available. The embedded spreadsheet appears to be manually updated by the site owners.
5. Can I see ratings for other dates?
Yes! Click any show’s link in the spreadsheet to visit its dedicated page, which has full season history and season-to-date averages.
Join the Conversation
What were YOU watching last night?
Original network shows, reruns, cable, streaming, or something else?
[Original article invited comments at the bottom]
Data sourced from TVSeriesFinale.com ratings report for July 29, 2026. All show trademarks belong to their respective networks.