RATINGS RECAP: 9/14/11

ABC
8:00 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
8:30 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 Modern Family (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:30 Modern Family (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
10:00 Primetime Nightline Special
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 10.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.4
9:30 Big Brother
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.9

NBC
8:00 America's Got Talent
Viewers: 14.4 million, 18-49 demo: 3.6
10:00 Up All Night
Viewers: 11.0 million, 18-49 demo: 3.7
10:30 Free Agents
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1

FOX
8:00 Buried Treasure
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Buried Treasure (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9  

Wednesday night was all about NBC and CBS. NBC started things off with the season finale of America's Got Talent which was up two million viewers and six tenths in the demo, though that is not a season high. Two series premieres followed before heading to 8pm next week. Up All Night got a great sampling though the 15 minute drop-off was pretty steep. Reviews have been mixed but its likely to get slaughtered next week at 8pm. The other series premiere was not sampled nearly as well. Free Agents did ok considering it was 10:30pm but the drop off from Up All Night was severe. I didn't see much in the ratings to change my prediction that this would be the first cancellation.

CBS had the season premiere of Survivor which was down big from last fall's premiere. If it drops a lot from here, the veteran reality show might be showing its age, but if it steadies itself, it will continue to be a solid performer. Of course, it didn't have to compete with The X-Factor last fall. The season finale of Big Brother followed at 9:30pm and was dead even with last Wednesday's airing. After its best season in the ratings in seven years, it was surprising that the finale ratings weren't up.