ABC's "Modern Family" saw a modest boost Wednesday night to take a narrow second place in ratings, while Fox grabbed an expected overall win for the night with "American Idol," according to preliminary numbers.
Fox took first place in ratings and total viewers with an average 4.4 rating/12 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and 16 million total viewers. "Idol" from 8 to 10 p.m. was down slightly in the demo from last week but is expected to adjust upward when the final numbers are in.
CBS came in second in ratings and total viewers with an average 2.7/7 in the demo and 10.6 million total viewers. "Survivor" at 8 inched up in the demo from last week for a 2.7/8 with 9.7 million total viewers.
"Criminal Minds" the following hour was down slightly in the demo from last week, tying a series low of 2.8/8 with 11.5 million total viewers. The season finale of "CSI" at 10 was down 8 percent in the demo from last year's finale.
ABC landed in third place in ratings and total viewers with an average 2.5/7 and 7.1 million total viewers. Most of its slate saw minor boosts throughout the night, though "The Middle" at 8 took a slight hit in the demo, inching down to a 1.9/6 with 6.6 million total viewers. "Suburgatory" at 8:30 was up slightly with a 2.1/6 and 6 million total viewers, while "Modern Family" at 9 also enjoyed a modest boost in the demo, taking a 4.3/12 with 10.4 million total viewers.
"Don't Trust the B—- in Apt. 23" at 9:30 ran even with last week for a 2.3/6 in the demo and 5.8 million total viewers, while "Revenge" at 10 was up slightly in the demo, receiving 2.2/6 with 7 million total viewers.
Univision ran fourth in ratings and fifth in total viewers with an average 1.6/4 in the demo and 3.9 million. "Una Familia Con Suerte" at 8 took a 1.5/5 in the demo and 3.7 million total viewers, while "Abismo de Pasion" the following hour drew a 1.5/4 with 3.9 million total viewers. "La Que No Podia Amar" at 10 received a 1.6/4 in the demo and 4 million total viewers.
NBC came in fifth in ratings and fourth in total viewers with an average 1.3/4 in the demo and 5 million total viewers. Back-to-back episodes of "Betty White's Off Their Rockers" both grew over last week, with the 8 p.m. episode growing 15 percent in the demo for a 1.5/5 with 5.6 million total viewers and the 8:30 episode climbing 14 percent in the demo for a 1.6/5 and 5.4 million total viewers.
"Rock Center With Brian Williams" at 9 was down 20 percent in the demo for a 0.8/2 with 3.6 million total viewers. "Law & Order: SVU," which was renewed earlier this week, was down 11 percent in the demo at 10 p.m., posting a 1.7/5 and 5.7 million total viewers.
