RATINGS RECAP: 2/27/13

ABC
8:00 The Middle
Viewers: 8.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
8:30 The Neighbors
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 10.5 million, 18-49 demo: 3.9
9:30 Suburgatory
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
10:00 Nashville
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 9.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 10.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
10:00 CSI
Viewers: 9.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

NBC
8:00 Whitney
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
8:30 Guys with Kids
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Chicago Fire
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 13.3 million, 18-49 demo: 3.9

On the final night of February sweeps, most ABC shows were down but Modern Family managed to tie American Idol in the demo. At 8pm, The Middle was down three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo while The Neighbors was down the same. Some weeks, The Neighbors looks like an over-performer but other weeks, it looks like ABC could easily cancel it at the end of the season. This week was the latter category. At 9pm, Modern Family was down a tenth in viewers and the demo but it's 3.9 demo tied American Idol. It's only a matter of time before it beats Idol. At 9:30pm, Suburgatory had the strongest performance week-to-week as it was up four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. Finally at 10pm, Nashville was down half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo for a series low. It is being left in the dust by CSI and Chicago Fire.

Over on CBS, Survivor was down a tenth in viewers but up two tenths in the demo as it seems to be rebounding from its low premiere. It's year-to-year numbers are much better now. At 9pm, Criminal Minds was down four tenths in viewers and even in the demo. This show has been struggling recently for CBS. At 10pm, CSI was down a big 1.3 million viewers and four tenths in the demo, losing to Chicago Fire again. This show has been wildly up and down over the last couple weeks, I'm not exactly sure why it's fluctuating so much. On FOX, American Idol was down 1.1 million viewers and two tenths in the demo to its lowest numbers since the initial season way back in the summer of 2002. This show is just getting old, no matter what they do with the judges panel. However, a 3.9 demo is still strong so it's not going anywhere yet.

Finally on NBC, Whitney started off the night up three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. At 8:30pm, the season finale of Guys with Kids was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. I'd be shocked if this was back for a second season but stranger things have happened. At 9pm, Law & Order: SVU was down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. At 10pm, Chicago Fire continued to be the brightest spot on NBC's lineup as it was up a tenth in viewers and the demo, winning the hour once again. I think we'll see an early renewal for next season for this show since it's the only, and I mean only, NBC show that is showing some strength right now.