RATINGS RECAP: 2/9/11

ABC
8:00 The Middle
Viewers: 8.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
8:30 Better With You
Viewers: 6.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 13.2 million, 18-49 demo: 5.1
9:30 Mr. Sunshine
Viewers: 10.5 million, 18-49 demo: 3.7
10:00 Off the Map
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

CBS
8:00 Live to Dance
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 13.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.6
10:00 Blue Bloods
Viewers: 11.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1

NBC
8:00 Minute to Win It
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 7.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 24.1 million, 18-49 demo: 8.4
9:00 Human Target
Viewers: 8.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3

ABC had a mostly successful night with its latest incarnation of its Wednesday lineup. At 8pm, The Middle was up half a million viewers and even in the demo from its last airing three weeks ago. It is not as strong as it was in the fall but it is facing American Idol now and still holding its own. At 8:30pm was Better With You which was up four tenths in viewers and even in the demo from its last airing, but it still lost two million viewers and half a demo point from its lead-in. It's a major toss-up still for renewal. At 9pm, Modern Family was up a nice 2.3 million viewers and half a demo point from three weeks ago as it did not have to face Idol this time. The viewer total is a series high and it climbed back over a 5 in the demo which is very impressive. This powerful lead-in helped the debut of Mr. Sunshine which had solid results for its premiere, well above Cougar Town levels. The question is, will it be able to sustain these numbers especially with mild reviews and Idol going back to two hours next week. Finally at 10pm, Off the Map was up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo despite the much better lead-in than last week. The only good news for this show is its not doing as poorly as recent ABC shows in this timeslot, but that's not saying much.

CBS started out slow but was strong from 9-11pm. The flop Live to Dance ended its first (and likely only) edition down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo from last week. This has been a huge flop for CBS and it would be a shock if it came back in any form. At 9pm, Criminal Minds was up nine tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo from its last new airing two weeks ago. This is another of CBS's remarkably consistent procedurals. At 10pm, Blue Bloods aired on Wednesday for the last time and was up half a million viewers but also half a demo point. This rebound in the demo after last week's very low (for a Wednesday) 1.6 sends the show back to Fridays on a good note and if it picked up a few more regular viewers, then this four week experiment was probably worth it for CBS. Next week, CBS will look different with the return of Survivor and the premiere of Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior to start and end the night.

NBC did not have much to talk about on Wednesday night. A two hour edition of Minute to Win It was down 1.6 million viewers and seven tenths in the demo from last week. Though the 9pm edition was stronger, it was not nearly as strong as last week when it aired against repeats on ABC and CBS. It was still well ahead of the on-hiatus (for good?) Chase and a cheaper option for NBC. At 10pm, Law & Order: SVU was down nine tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo from last week but still managed to win the hour in the latter category. Will that change next week when it goes up against the Criminal Minds spinoff debut?

FOX started things out on top as usual with American Idol which was down a million viewers and six tenths in the demo from last week. This is the biggest drop yet and next week it has to face off against Survivor. It's still a powerhouse though. It was followed by the season (and possibly series) finale of Human Target which was down 1.1 million viewers and three tenths in the demo from last week. The drop for the finale does not help this show's slim renewal chances.