Last night we found out who placed third in American Idol (except me, therefore no spoilers!), which again led FOX to victory.
 
FOX won the night with American Idol taking top honors, averaging a 5.9 (18-49) rating and just over 18.5 million viewers. At 8pm, the premiere of The Good Guys posted just a 1.5 rating and just 5 million viewers.
 
ABC took second place with their Wednesday comedy lineup. At 8, There were two episodes of The Middle, a rerun at 8 - which averaged a 1.4 rating and just over 5.3 million viewers – and a brand new episode at 8.30, which averaged a solid 2.5 rating and just over 7.5 million viewers. At 9, the season finale of Modern Family hit series high levels among adults (18-49) with a 4.2 rating and just over 10 million viewers. The Cougar Town season finale was also up vs. last week, with just over 6.2 million viewers and a 2.8 (18-49) rating. At 10, Primetime: What Would You Do? posted a 2.0 rating and just over 5.2 million viewers.
 
CBS again went with a special I Get That a Lot at 8, posting a 2.0 rating and just over 7 million viewers. At 9, a new Criminal Minds was solid, posting a 3.3 (18-49) rating and just over 13 million viewers. A new CSI: NY posted a 2.5 (18-49) rating and 11.4 million viewers at 10 – up vs. last weeks lows.
 
NBC went with a rerun of Minute To Win It at 8, posting a 1.5 (18-49) rating and 5.5 million viewers. An SVU rerun aired at 9, posting a 1.2 rating and just over 4 million viewers. Law & Order: SVU again beat out CSI: NY with a 2.6 rating and just over 8.5 million viewers.
 
The CW went with a new America’s Next Top Model at 8pm, which averaged a 0.9 (18-49) rating and just over 2 million viewers. At 9, a rerun of One Tree Hill posted a 0.3 rating and  just over 0.6 million viewers.

I know, this is a really cheap way of gaining traffic. I don’t care. This show is the worst performer of ABC’s comedy lineup but hasn’t really had a chance, as it had Kelsey Grammar’s ‘Hank’ as a lead in at first, followed by reruns of Modern Family.

Already Renewed.

The Middle couldn’t have had a worse start. It had a lame duck as a lead-in (Kelsey Grammer’s Hank) but still managed to get the green light for a second season.

The show – which stars Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond) and Neil Flynn (Scrubs’ Janitor) is a solid performer for the alphabet, averaging a 2.2 (18-49) rating and just over 6 million viewers – which isn’t too bad considering that it’s had reruns as a lead-in for the past 10 episodes.

Hopefully it’ll be moved to a better timeslot next season, preferably after Modern Family (hopefully) moves to 8pm next season.

Last night saw another the elimination of an American Idol contestant, which again led FOX to victory.
 
FOX won the night with American Idol taking top honors, averaging a 6.6 (18-49) rating and just over 19.5 million viewers.
 
ABC took second place with their Wednesday comedy lineup. At 8, There were two episodes of The Middle, a rerun at 8 - which averaged a 1.6 rating and just over 5.7 million viewers – and a brand new episode at 8.30, which averaged a solid 2.5 rating and just over 7.5 million viewers. At 9, a new Modern Family hit series highs with a 4.2 (18-49) rating and just over 10.2 million viewers. Cougar Town was also up vs. last week, with just over 6.2 million viewers and a 2.7 (18-49) rating. At 10, Happy Town continued to stay low with just a 1.2 rating and just over 3.2 million viewers.
 
CBS again went with their Wednesday comedy lienup. The New Adventures of Old Christine was above its season average with a 1.9 rating and 7.2 million viewers at 8pm. At 8.30, A rerun of The Big Bang Theory outdrew a new Accidentally on Purpose (the show it has temporarily replaced) with a 2.0 (18-49) rating. At 9, a new Criminal Minds was solid, posting a 3.4 (18-49) rating and just over 12.9 million viewers. A new CSI: NY posted a 2.5 (18-49) rating and 11.4 million viewers at 10 – up vs. last weeks lows.
 
NBC went with a brand new Minute To Win It at 8, posting a 2.2 (18-49) rating and 6.7 million viewers. A new Mercy aired at 9, staying steady with last weeks 1.1 rating and just over 4 million viewers. Law & Order: SVU again beat out CSI: NY with a 2.8 rating and just over 8.5 million viewers.
 
The CW went with new episodes of America’s Next Top Model, which averaged cycle highs 1.6 and 1.7 (18-49) ratings and 4.0 million viewers.

Last night saw another the elimination of an American Idol contestant, which again led FOX to victory.
 
FOX won the night with American Idol’s “Idol Gives Back” taking top honors, averaging a 5.9 (18-49) rating and just over 18.5 million viewers between 8-10:24.
 
ABC took second place with reruns of their comedy lineup. At 8, There were two episodes of The Middle, which averaged a 1.5 rating and just over 4.6 million viewers. At 9, a two Modern Family reruns, averaging just under 5.3 million viewers and a 2.1 rating. Cougar Town took over at 10 with just over 3 million viewers and a 1.3 (18-49) rating. 
 
CBS again went with their new Wednesday comedy lienup. The New Adventures of Old Christine was below its season average with a 1.5 rating and 5.2 million viewers at 8pm. At 8.30, Accidentally on Purpose posted a series low 1.5 (18-49) rating almost guaranteeing cancellation. At 9, a Criminal Minds rerun was solid, posting a 1.8 (18-49) rating and just over 8 million viewers. A CSI: NY rerun posted a 1.4 (18-49) rating and 6.8 million viewers at 10.
 
NBC went with a brand new Mercy at 8, posting a 1.2 (18-49) rating and 5.1 million viewers. A Law & Order: SVU rerun posted a 1.4 (18-49) rating and just over 5.2 million viewers and a brand new SVU posted a 2.8 rating and just over 8.5 million viewers at 10.
 
The CW went with new episodes of America’s Next Top Model (1.4 rating, 3.0 million) and new Fly Girls and High Society, which averaged a 0.4 rating and just under 0.9 million viewers.

Last night saw another the elimination of two of the American Idol contestants, which again led FOX to victory.
 
FOX won the night with American Idol taking top honors, averaging a 6.6 (18-49) rating and just over 20.5 million viewers. Its lead in, Human Target, did not fare as well, posting just a 1.9 (18-49) rating and just over 6.5 million viewers.
 
ABC took second place with their usual comedy lineup. A Modern Family rerun averaged a 1.6 rating and just over 6 million viewers at 8pm leading into a new ep of The Middle, which posted a 2.2 rating and just over 6.7 million viewers. At 9, a new Modern Family was the most watched scripted show of the night, averaging just under 9 million viewers and a 3.6 rating. Cougar Town took over at 9.30 with just under 6 million viewers and a 2.4 (18-49) rating. Ugly Betty’s series finale showed modest gains, posting a season high 1.8 (18-49) rating and just over 5 million viewers.
 
CBS again went with their new Wednesday comedy lienup. The New Adventures of Old Christine was level with its season average with a 1.7 rating and 6.2 million viewers at 8pm. At 8.30, Accidentally on Purpose posted a series low 1.9 (18-49) rating almost guaranteeing cancellation. At 9, Criminal Minds was solid considering the competition, posting a 3.3 (18-49) rating and 12.3 million viewers. CSI: NY had a slight fall from last week, dropping to a 2.6 (18-49) rating and 10.8 million viewers.
 
NBC went with reruns last night, with Minute to Win it holding steady with its new episodes in posting a 1.9 (18-49) rating and 5.8 million viewers. A double Law & Order: SVU posted a 1.5 (18-49) rating and just over 4.6 million viewers also.
 
The CW went with new episodes of America’s Next Top Model (1.2 rating, 2.0 million) and new Fly Girls and High Society, which averaged a 0.4 rating and just over 0.9 million viewers.

On a night with a sure fire American Idol win, ABC’s comedies and Criminal Minds were also strong.

American Idol led FOX to victory last night, posting a 9.8 rating and 26.7 million viewers – still holding very strong vs. last year. At 9, the second episode of Human Target was roughly level with last nights pilot repeat posting a 3.4 (18-49) rating and 10.4 million viewers.

CBS was second for the night, starting off with a weak Old Christine (1.9, 6.5 million) and equally weak Gary Unmarried (1.9, 6.2 million). Criminal Minds was the nights second strongest show, posting a 4.3 (18-49) rating and 15.3 million viewers. At 10, CSI: NY was solid with a 3.7 rating and 13.9 million viewers.

ABC was third with a mixture of reruns and originals. At 8, a Modern Family rerun posted a 1.6 (18-49) rating leading into a rerun of The Middle, which posted a 1.7 rating and 4.7 million viewers. At 9, a new episode of Modern Family posted a very strong 4.1 (18-49) rating and 9.8 million viewers leading into a new Cougar Town, which posted a 3.4 (18-49) rating and 7.6 million viewers – up vs. last weeks 3.1. At 10, Ugly Betty was level with last weeks 1.6 rating and 4.6 million viewers.

Fourth was NBC, which went with a new episode of Mercy at 8, drawing 5.8 million viewers and a 1.4 (18-49) rating. A rerun of Law & Order: SVU was fourth in the 9pm hour, posting a 1.4 rating and 5.6 million viewers – it just can’t wait to get back to 10pm. The Jay Leno Show was poor last night, posting just a 1.2 (18-49) rating and 4.6 million viewers.

The CW was in reruns last night, with a second airing of new show Life UneXpected posting a 0.7 (18-49) rating and 1.7 million viewers (Better than the last original airing of Melrose Place). A Gossip Girl rerun posted a 0.4 rating and 0.8 million viewers at 9pm.

Full Breakdown:

8:00 – FOX – American Idol – 9.8 (18-49) rating - 26.7 million viewers
CBS – New Adventures of Old Christine – 1.9 - 6.5 million
ABC – Modern Family (R) – 1.6 - 5.1 million
NBC – Mercy – 1.4 - 5.8 million
CW – Life Unexpected (R) – 0.7 - 1.7 million

8:30 – CBS – Gary Unmarried – 1.9 (18-49) rating - 6.2 million
ABC – The Middle (R) – 1.7 - 4.7 million

9:00 – CBS – Criminal Minds – 4.3 (18-49) rating - 15.3 million viewers
ABC – Modern Family – 4.1 - 9.8 million
FOX – Human Target – 3.4 - 10.4 million
NBC – Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (R) – 1.4 - 5.6 million
CW – Gossip Girl (R) – 0.4 - 0.8 million

9:30 – ABC – Cougar Town – 3.4 (18-49) rating - 7.6 million

10:00 – CBS – CSI: NY – 3.7 (18-49) rating - 13.9 million
ABC – Ugly Betty – 1.6 - 4.6 million
NBC – The Jay Leno Show – 1.2 - 4.6 million

American Idol won the night for FOX last night and in doing so forced all other shows to slip except – unexpectedly – Cougar Town, which was at its season-to-date average.

Idol posted a 10.1 (18-49) rating last night between 8-9.30, down almost 15% from yesterdays 11.7. The show also lost 3 million viewers, taking its total to 26.4 million. At 9.30, a rerun of The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special was shown, pulling a 3.6 rating and 8.1 million viewers.

CBS took a hit in the 8pm timeslot last night, with Gary Unmarried and The New Adventures of Old Christine averaging just a 1.9 rating and 6 million viewers – well down from the last new episode. At 9, Criminal Minds continued to perform well with a 3.9 (18-49) rating and 14 million viewers. CSI:NY performed better than its season-to-date average, posting a 3.6 (18-49) rating and 14.1 million viewers.

ABC was another network that was affected heavily by Idol, with The Middle posting just a 2.1 (18-49) rating and 6.1 million viewers. Modern Family was probably the most affected though, losing almost 25% in the key demo with just a 3.2 (18-49) rating and almost 20% in viewers, where it drew 7.6 million. Cougar Town was reasonably unaffected though, staying with its season average – a 3.1 (18-49) rating and 7.4 million viewers. Ugly Betty was steady with last weeks Wednesday night premiere, pulling a 1.6 (18-49) rating and 4.5 million viewers.

NBC has a less than stellar night too, with Mercy pulling just a 1.5 (18-49) rating and 5.9 million viewers (why did they pick up extra episodes of this again?). Law & Order: SVU posted a miserable 2.0 (18-49) rating and 7.7 million viewers – I think this will be the show that’ll improve most when moved back to 10pm. The Jay Leno Show was average – posting a 1.6 rating and 5.4 million viewers.

The CW went with something, I don’t really care though.

Full Breakdown:

8.00pm – FOX – American Idol (8-9.30pm) – 10.1 (18-49) rating – 26.4 million viewers
ABC – The Middle – 2.1 – 6.1 million
CBS – The New Adventures of Old Christine – 1.9 – 6.2 million
NBC – Mercy – 1.5 – 5.9 million

8.30pm – CBS – Gary Unmarried – 1.9 (18-49 rating) – 5.8 million viewers

9.00pm – CBS – Criminal Minds – 3.9 (18-49 rating) – 14 million viewers
ABC – Modern Family – 3.2 – 7.6 million
NBC – Law & Order: SVU – 2.0 – 7.7 million

9.30pm - FOX – The Simpsons – 3.6 (18-49 rating) – 8.1 million viewers
ABC – Cougar Town – 3.1 – 7.4 million viewers

10 pm – CBS – CSI: NY – 3.6 (18-49 rating) – 14.1 million viewers
NBC – The Jay Leno Show - 1.6 – 5.4 million
ABC – Ugly Betty – 1.6 – 4.5 million

ABC president, Steve McPherson has just confirmed that….

…all three of the shows have performed well in their freshman years and will all be given a second chance at mega success next year.

The comedies – all of which air on Wednesday nights – have posted solid ratings, with Modern Family leading the way with an average 3.7 (18-49) rating ahead of Cougar Town (3.2) and the rapidly improving The Middle (2.3).

It’s a Wonderful Life won the night (which should explain how dull these numbers are…!)

via Mediaweek:

8:00 p.m – ABC – Disney’s Prep & Landing (R)

Viewers: 3.33 million (#4), A18-49: 0.9 rating/4 share (#3t)

CBS – CSI: NY (R)

Viewers: 4.98 million (#1), A18-49: 1.0/ 4 (#2)

NBC – Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life (R)

Viewers: 4.25 (#2) million (#4), A18-49: 1.1/ 5 (#1)

Fox – Bones (R)

Viewers: 3.44 million (#3), A18-49: 0.9/ 4 (#3t)

CW – The Vampire Diaries (R)

Viewers: 1.03 million (#5), A18-49: 0.4/ 1 (#5)

—————

8:30 p.m.

ABC – The Middle (R)

Viewers: 2.72 million (#4), A18-49: 0.8/ 3 (#4)

CBS – CSI: NY (R)

Viewers: 5.37 million (#1), A18-49: 0.9/ 4 (#3)

NBC – Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life (R)

Viewers: 4.67 million (#2), A18-49: 1.4/ 5 (#1)

Fox – Bones (R)

Viewers: 3.69 million (#3), A18-49: 1.0/ 4 (#2)

CW – The Vampire Diaries (R)

Viewers: 884,000 (#5), A18-49: 0.3/ 1 (#5)

—————

9:00 p.m.

ABC – Modern Family (R)

Viewers: 3.36 million (#3), A18-49: 0.8/ 3 (#3)

CBS – CSI (R)

Viewers: 6.92 million (#1), A18-49: 1.4/ 5 (#2)

NBC – Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life (R)

Viewers: 5.38 million (#2), A18-49: 1.4/ 5 (#1)

Fox – Fringe (R)

Viewers: 2.51 million (#4), A18-49: 0.7/ 3 (#4)

CW – Supernatural (R)

Viewers: 982,000 (#5), A18-49: 0.3/ 1 (#5)

—————

9:30 p.m.

ABC – Cougar Town (R)

Viewers: 2.67 million (#3), A18-49: 0.8/ 3 (#3)

CBS – CSI (R)

Viewers: 7.41 million (#1), A18-49: 1.4/ 5 (#2)

NBC – Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life (R)

Viewers: 5.28 million (#2), A18-49: 1.6/ 6 (#1)

Fox – Fringe (R)

Viewers: 2.36 million (#4), A18-49: 0.7/ 2 (#4)

CW – Supernatural (R)

Viewers: 909,000 (#5), A18-49: 0.3/ 1 (#5)

—————

10:00 p.m.

ABC – Grey’s Anatomy (R)

Viewers: 2.11 million (#3), A18-49: 0.7/ 2 (#3)

CBS – The Mentalist (R)

Viewers: 7.96 million (#1), A18-49: 1.6/ 6 (#2)

NBC – Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life (R)

Viewers: 5.82 million (#2), A18-49: 1.8/ 7 (#1)

—————

10:30 p.m.

ABC – Grey’s Anatomy (R)

Viewers: 2.25 million (#3), A18-49: 0.7/ 2 (#3)

CBS – The Mentalist (R)

Viewers: 8.40 million (#1), A18-49: 1.7/ 6 (#2)

NBC – Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life (R)

Viewers: 6.46 million (#2), A18-49: 2.1/ 7 (31)