CBS dating show ‘3’ faces tough race against NBC Olympics 2012

CBS’ new dating show “3” is looking for love in all the wrong places -- like right opposite a record-breaking Olympics on NBC.

The dating show about a trio of young women grappling with romantic choices officially starts Sunday night -- opposite swimming, diving and gymnastics coverage on NBC that is sure to deliver high ratings. The opening ceremony from London on Friday night broke ratings records, with more than 40 million total viewers, according to Nielsen.

A special preview of “3” on Thursday drew 2.4 million viewers, handing CBS its worst ratings ever for a series rollout. Critics weren’t kind, either: The show drew a rating of 47 out of 100 from Metacritic, which aggregates reviewers’ opinions.

CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler knows “3” is going to have trouble finding true love from viewers.

The preview of “3” “struggled to get traction,” Tassler told reporters at the Television Critics Assn.’s press tour in Beverly Hills on Sunday.

In fact, she seemed eager to deflect attention from the show entirely, bringing up another reality franchise instead. “‘Big Brother’ is still having a very good season,” she told reporters.

“This summer has been a little soft for everybody,” she added.

Except, of course, for NBC.

What do you think of “3”?

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