RATINGS RECAP: 1/5/11

ABC
8:00 The Middle
Viewers: 9.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8
8:30 Better With You
Viewers: 7.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 11.8 million, 18-49 demo: 4.8
9:30 Cougar Town
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8
10:00 Primetime: Celebrity Weight Loss
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

CBS
8:00 Live to Dance
Viewers: 7.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:00 People's Choice Awards
Viewers: 9.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7

NBC
8:00 Minute to Win It
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 10.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.9

FOX
8:00 Human Target
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 Human Target
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7

ABC had its comedies new for the first time since December 8 on this first Wednesday of 2011. The Middle kicked things off and was up six tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo from its last original airing. This show has blossomed into a stellar ratings lead-off for ABC. New sitcom Better With You was up two tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. The demo ties a series high which has been hit several times. Series star Jennifer Finnigan expressed optimism for the show's future on Wednesday night and that's probably with good reason as it is doing a decent job of bridging The Middle and Modern Family. Family was up seven tenths in viewers and a strong six tenths in the demo. Cougar Town was up two tenths in viewers and the demo. The fact that it is tied with The Middle, which airs at 8pm with no lead-in, in the demo and well-behind in viewers is bad news for this show. A Primetime special was not much of a factor at 10pm. New Sondra Rhimes drama Off the Map will premiere next Wednesday at 10pm.

CBS had night two of Live to Dance and it was not a good result. The show was down significantly from its underwhelming debut on Tuesday night. CBS will probably let this show run its course if it can level off here but its chances of returning in-season in future years seems unlikely. This has to be a disappointment with the big marketing push Dance received. The People's Choice Awards followed and were down a rough 1.3 million viewers and seven tenths in the demo from last year's telecast. It seems that award shows in general are down this year after showing some growth last year.

NBC had a decent night. Minute to Win It started things off airing in its regular time period after random December airings. It wasn't a huge success but a big improvement over the cancelled (and much more expensive) Undercovers. Law & Order: SVU aired two episodes that was counted as one for the ratings but it had success as it was up a nice 1.4 million viewers and four tenths in the demo from its last original airing. Even better news is that it perked up in the 10pm hour where it will move permanently next week when Chase comes to 9pm.
 
FOX aired two new episodes of Human Target, which is on the fence for renewal at this point. In its usual time period at 8pm, it was up four tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo while the 9:00 episode was up slightly more in viewers and even in the demo. This is the show's best performance since its season premiere. Its still probably not enough but it can't be counted out quite yet.