RATINGS RECAP: 2/26/14

ABC
8:00 The Middle
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
8:30 Suburgatory
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 8.5 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1
9:30 Mixology
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 Nashville
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 9.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
10:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 9.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2 

NBC
8:00 Revolution
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
10:00 Chicago PD
Viewers: 8.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2 

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 10.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7

Wednesday night saw ABC's premiere of Mixology amidst a disastrous night for ABC as only Modern Family was above a 1.7 demo. At 8pm, The Middle fell a heavy 1.6 million viewers and half a demo point to tie a series low last hit on November 25, 2009 (Thanksgiving Eve during its first season). At 8:30pm, Suburgatory was down nine tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo for a new series low. Will this show squeak out a fourth season? It is squarely on the bubble. At 9pm, Modern Family was down 1.4 million viewers and four tenths in the demo. While it was a bright spot on an otherwise dismal night for ABC, it tied a series low also set on that same Thanksgiving Eve in 2009. Then the premiere of Mixology happened. While it had the worst Modern Family lead-in, it easily had the worst debut in the post-Family slot. By comparison, Super Fun Night premiered to a 3.2 demo out of a 4.2 for Modern Family. This show is not going to last, I'm not even sure it will make it to May. Finally at 10pm, Nashville was down four tenths in viewers and even in the demo, tying a series low.

CBS premiered the latest edition of Survivor with a two hour premiere. It was just slightly down from its fall premiere of 2.6 and that happened before the season began so it didn't have as much competition. It got a 2.4 in its first week against full competition in the fall. So this is another solid number for a franchise that just won't die. A special episode of Criminal Minds aired at 10pm but fell seven tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo to tie a series low. Some of that could be attributed to the 10pm slot. Not having to face against the Olympics did very little to help American Idol on FOX as it was up only eight tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. It wasn't that far ahead of Survivor and those shows could only get closer in the weeks to come.

Finally on NBC, Revolution was down four tenths in viewers and even in the demo. There's not going to be room for this show next season, I don't think. At 9pm, Law & Order: SVU was up 1.6 million viewers and two tenths in the demo. As usual, this show benefited from not having to face Criminal Minds in the hour. The biggest surprise of the night on any network came from Chicago PD. A cross-over with SVU catapulted PD up 2 million viewers and half a demo point to a new series high. This is particularly impressive given that it had to air against Criminal Minds in the hour and it actually tied the veteran CBS drama. Chicago PD was already a slam dunk for renewal but this should erase any doubt. I wouldn't be surprised if we hear of a renewal for this show within a week.