RATINGS RECAP: 5/11/11

ABC
8:00 The Middle
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
8:30 Better With You
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 10.2 million, 18-49 demo: 4.3
9:30 Cougar Town
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
10:00 Happy Endings
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:30 Happy Endings
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 10.8 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 13.3 million, 18-49 demo: 3.3
10:00 Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior
Viewers: 9.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1

NBC
8:00 Minute to Win It
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Minute to Win It (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 8.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 23.0 million, 18-49 demo: 7.1
9:30 Breaking In
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3

ABC was up across the board, albeit slightly for some shows, with its lineup of comedies. At 8pm, The Middle was up a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo for its best demo number since March 2. The season finale of Better With You followed and was up six tenths in viewers and a nice four tenths in the demo. These were its best numbers since February 9 and, as of Friday afternoon, it had not be cancelled when other shows had gotten the ax so maybe that jump was enough to save it? We'll see. At 9pm, Modern Family was up three tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo, hopping back up in the 4s for the demo. At 9:30pm, Cougar Town was up half a million viewers but just a tenth in the demo, posting weaker demo retention. At 10pm two episodes of Happy Endings aired and they were both even in the demo but up slightly in viewers. Despite being the only show to not rise in the demo, the freshman comedy was just renewed for a second season.

CBS was all new with its regular lineup. At 8pm, Survivor was down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. The finale will air on Sunday night for this edition. At 9pm, Criminal Minds was up four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo and this was with ABC's comedies going up in the same hour too. It was a better night for network TV. At 10pm, Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior was up half a million viewers but down a tenth in the demo, tying a series low. Considering the parent show was up in the demo, this is not a good performance with upfronts right around the corner.

NBC had its regular Wednesday lineup and as usual, the results were terrible from 8-10pm. A new Minute to Win It was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo from last week. This show just can't compete against American Idol. At 10pm, Law & Order: SVU was down four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo, but still won the hour for the demo. Maybe NBC will be smart and leave it at 10pm next fall where it does much better than 9pm.

FOX was all new with its regular lineup. At 8pm, American Idol was up 1.9 million viewers and half a demo point, showing a nice rebound for the final four performance show. How will the finale do if it is between two country hopefuls? Because that may be the case. At 9:30pm, the cancelled Breaking In was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo, hitting series lows. While there are rumors it may get a second chance, this drop after an Idol rise will not help its case.