RATINGS RECAP: 4/6/11

ABC
8:00 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
8:30 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 Modern Family (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
9:30 Mr. Sunshine
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Off the Map
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 10.9 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 14.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.6
10:00 Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior
Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1

NBC
8:00 Minute to Win It
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 Law & Order: SVU (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
10:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 8.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 23.1 million, 18-49 demo: 7.3
9:30 Breaking In
Viewers: 9.8 million, 18-49 demo: 3.5

ABC was once again in repeats from 8-9:30pm and right around normal repeat levels. At 9:30pm was the last scheduled episode of Mr. Sunshine which was up seven tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo from last week's lows. Mr. Sunshine has failed to find an audience following Modern Family repeats for most of its run and its status for next season is up in the air. Despite the ratings, I wouldn't be shocked to see it renewed and possibly retooled a bit. It was followed by the season finale of Off the Map which was down four tenths in viewers and even in the demo. The viewer total is a series low and the demo ties a series low that has been hit several times. To hit a series low in viewers for a season finale is not a good sign and this show is very unlikely to come back for a second season. ABC's new sitcom Happy Endings will premiere in the comedy lineup next Wednesday.

CBS was all new on Wednesday night with its regular lineup. At 8pm, Survivor was down a tenth in viewers but up the same in the demo. This is right around normal levels this spring and it remains a success with the American Idol competition. At 9pm, Criminal Minds was up 1.1 million viewers and a tenth in the demo as it continues to be reliable even without two of its former stars. Finally at 10pm, Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior was up three tenths in viewers but down a tenth in the demo. The demo is a series low which isn't a good sign since it was getting better ratings following repeats a few weeks ago. Will CBS give this another chance with its wealth of dramas?

NBC had its regular lineup and, as usual, tanked from 8-10pm. At 8pm, Minute to Win It was down nine tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. It was followed by a very low repeat of Law & Order: SVU. But once again, a new episode of Law & Order: SVU won the demo for the hour at 10pm even though it was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. This show is a self starter but could probably be stronger with a better lead-in. Still, it's a rare reliable timeslot winner for NBC.

FOX was all new starting with American Idol, which was down 1.1 million viewers and four tenths in the demo from last week's two hour edition. The demo was a season low but it did not air during its high-rated 9:30pm half hour so that may have played a factor. It was followed by the series premiere of new sitcom Breaking In which had good overall numbers but terrible retention. It is given every opportunity to succeed with American Idol as a lead-in but these aren't stunning debut numbers and next week will be interesting for this show.