RATINGS RECAP: 1/26/11

ABC
8:00 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
8:30 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
9:00 Modern Family (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
9:30 Cougar Town 
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
10:00 Off the Map
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

CBS
8:00 Live to Dance
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 12.8 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2
10:00 Blue Bloods
Viewers: 12.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1

NBC
8:00 Minute to Win It
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 Chase
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
10:00 Law & Order: SVU (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 25.3 million, 18-49 demo: 9.2

ABC was in repeats for the first half of the night with a double dose of The Middle and then Modern Family. Both these sitcom hits for ABC are repeating better than they used to. The news was not as good for original programming though. Cougar Town was down seven tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo for another season low. Despite being the only new sitcom, it had the least number of viewers and only tied both repeats of The Middle (which traditionally skews older) in the demo. Yet for whatever reason, Cougar Town has already been renewed for next season. At 10pm, week three of Off the Map was not very strong as it was down another seven tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. Although it's still outperforming recent Wednesday dramas from ABC, it's not looking like a keeper.

CBS had more mixed numbers. The 8pm flop Live to Dance was down another six tenths in viewers and even in the demo from last week. These are embarrassing numbers for CBS and we likely won't see anymore of Paula Abdul's dance show once this edition ends. Criminal Minds perked back up a bit at 9pm as it was up eight tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. It's still not getting the numbers it was getting in the fall - perhaps due to the weaker lead-in or increased competition from FOX? At 10pm, week two of Blue Bloods' trial Wednesday run. was down two tenths in viewers and up a tenth in the demo. Its old-skewing weakness is glaring on Wednesday but perfectly fit for Friday where it will head back to in a couple weeks.

NBC had a quiet Wednesday. At 8pm, Minute to Win It was down a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo. This seems like it might be a better fit for Fridays where it has been repeating well this winter. At 9pm, Chase was down two tenths in viewers but up the same in the demo. The viewer total is a series low. Chase will be preempted next week in what is likely the beginning of the end. A repeat of Law & Order: SVU rounded out the night.

FOX had strong results for Week 2 of American Idol. It was just nine tenths in viewers and even in the demo from last Wednesday and way up from last Thursday's numbers. This is a positive sign because last week's viewership was likely lots of curiosity to see the new judging panel but those viewers seem to like what they see. It appears that those who predicted Idol's beginning of a demise this season will not see that happen.