RATINGS RECAP: 5/16/12

ABC
8:00 The Middle
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
8:30 Suburgatory
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 9.4 million, 18-49 demo: 3.9
9:30 Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
10:00 Revenge
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0

CBS
8:00 Mike & Molly (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
8:30 Rules of Engagement (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 13.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.6

NBC
8:00 Betty White's Off Their Rockers
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
8:30 Betty White's Off Their Rockers
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
9:00 Law & Order: SVU (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 17.7 million, 18-49 demo: 4.9
 

On Wednesday night, CBS got great numbers from its two hour season finale of Criminal Minds which was up a big 1.9 million viewers and seven tenths in the demo for its best performance since January 25. The 10pm numbers were particularly strong as this was a great way to end the season for the veteran show which is quietly one of the most consistent performers on TV. Over on NBC, two episodes of Betty White's Off Their Rockers were mixed as the 8pm episode was down but the 8:30pm episode was up. At 10pm, Law & Order: SVU was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo.

ABC had a down night nearly across the board as its sitcoms lineup suffered. At 8pm, The Middle was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. This show always seems to suffer from the spring swoon more than others. At 8:30pm, the season finale of Suburgatory was down half a million viewers and a not-so-good three tenths in the demo for a series low despite less competition and a steady lead-in. It's a good thing this show is staying where it is next season because it's not ready to be an anchor yet. At 9pm, Modern Family was down 1.2 million viewers and a rough half a demo point for a season low. Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 followed and was down a million viewers and four tenths in the demo for a series low. I know it isn't compatible with Family but I don't think ABC is going to be thrilled with the numbers this and Happy Endings pull on Tuesdays in the fall. At 10pm, Revenge was down a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo. I still don't think moving this to Sundays was the right idea. On FOX, American Idol was up a good 1.2 million viewers and four tenths in the demo ahead of next week's finale.