RATINGS RECAP: 2/23/11

ABC
8:00 The Middle
Viewers: 8.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
8:30 Better With You
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 10.2 million, 18-49 demo: 4.1
9:30 Mr. Sunshine
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
10:00 Off the Map
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 10.9 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 13.2 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2
10:00 Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior
Viewers: 9.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4

NBC
8:00 Minute to Win It
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
10:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 8.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 22.7 million, 18-49 demo: 7.9

ABC had another Wednesday of mixed results with its established hits performing well and its new shows struggling. At 8pm, The Middle was up a tenth in viewers and the demo. It's not performing like it was in the fall but holding its own against American Idol and Survivor. But the news was not as good at 8:30 as Better With You dropped two tenths in viewers and was flat in the demo. It now just seems like a weak bridge between The Middle and Modern Family in the ratings. At 9pm, Modern Family was down four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. Idol seems to be taking its toll on this show but it still remained the standout in the block. At 9:30pm, Mr. Sunshine continued to fall as it was down another eight tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo and is now looking like less of an option than Cougar Town in the 9:30 slot. ABC needs to find a more compatible show to go with Family. Despite the weaker lead-in, Off the Map was up half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo from last week's lows. It's still too low but a step in the right direction for the struggling drama.

CBS had a steady night from 8-10pm but trouble is brewing at 10pm. First off, Survivor was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo but is still performing solidly against Idol. At 9pm, Criminal Minds was up three tenths in viewers and even in the demo with a weaker lead-in and tough competition as this show is extremely durable. But the news was not as good at 10pm for the new spinoff Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior which was down a rough 3.3 million viewers and nine tenths in the demo from its premiere. This is one of the biggest second week drops so far this season and extremely disappointing for CBS after a strong sampling last week. It's still too early to tell but CBS may have spun off one franchise too many.

NBC was extremely quiet from 8-10pm as Minute to Win It was dead even with its very low numbers last week. This just isn't much of an option against much more popular unscripted programming on FOX and CBS. At 10pm though, Law & Order: SVU perked up seven tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo from last week and already beat Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior in the demo despite a far inferior lead-in. This is great news for NBC's veteran show as it still seems to be the crime drama of choice in this hour. American Idol was down just a bit for FOX - five tenths in viewers and three tenths the demo - easily winning the night as usual.