After plenty of build-up and a number of solid reviews (as touted in "Riverdale's" latest promo), the CW's Archie Comics mystery/drama "Riverdale" had a soft debut on Thursday night. TV By the Numbers' ratings report shows that "Riverdale" was watched by 1.37 million people and scored an 0.5 rating in the coveted 18-49 demographic. That's down a little from its lead-in, "Supernatural," which scored a 0.6 rating in the demo and was watched by 1.71 million viewers.

Stiff competition from ABC and CBS may have been one reason why "Riverdale" didn't do better in the ratings. Thursday saw the return of ABC's popular TGIT lineup, which put "Riverdale" directly up against the return of "Scandal." "Scandal's" season six premiere was watched by 7.67 million viewers. Over on CBS, "Riverdale" competed with special celebrating the life and career of Mary Tyler Moore, who passed away on Wednesday; the special, titled "Love is All Around," earned 6.5 million viewers.

Deadline also noted that "Riverdale" didn't do as well in the ratings as the CW's "Legends of Tomorrow" did when it debuted around the same time last yaer. "Riverdale" was down 58% among adults 18-49 from "Legends of Tomorrow's" debut back in 2016, which was also on a Thursday night.

Starring K.J. Apa as Archie Andrews, “Riverdale” airs Thursdays at 9 pm on The CW. The series also stars Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones, Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge, Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper, Ross Butler as Reggie Mantle and more. “Breakfast Club” alum Molly Ringwald will also recur as Archie’s mother Mary.