RATINGS RECAP: 10/12/16

ABC
8:00 The Goldbergs
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
8:30 Speechless
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
9:30 Black-ish
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
10:00 Designated Survivor
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 8.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 Code Black
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

NBC
8:00 Blindspot
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 Chicago PD
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

FOX
8:00 Lethal Weapon
Viewers: 6.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
9:00 Empire
Viewers: 9.3 million, 18-49 demo: 3.5

CW
8:00 Arrow
Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Frequency
Viewers: 1.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3

A week after a really ugly Wednesday ratings night, most shows bounced back last night. CBS probably breathed a sigh of relief with Criminal Minds rebounding some. First up, Survivor was up half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo. Then at 9pm, Criminal recovered from its terrible dip last week, rising eight tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo from last week's series low. This could have been a Paget Brewster factor but CBS has to hope last week was the exception. At 10pm, Code Black was up a tenth in viewers and the demo. It did rise but it looks like the weak link in the CBS lineup. FOX also had a good night as Lethal Weapon rose two tenths in viewers and an impressive two tenths in the demo, very much earning the full season it received earlier in the day. Next week, it will have to air without Empire due to the third presidential debate. At 9pm, Empire was even in viewers and up two tenths in the demo.

On ABC, The Goldbergs was up three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Speechless continued its rock-solid start and was dead even with last week. These two have been a strong pair so far. At 9pm, Modern Family was up half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo while Black-ish continued the night's momentum and was up six tenths in viewers and a good three tenths in the demo. So, out of two nights of two hour comedy blocks on ABC, everything except The Real O'Neals was at a 1.6 demo or higher. ABC may be having lots of trouble with their dramas but they know how to do comedies. One drama that is working for them though is Designated Survivor, which was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. This is a good sign if it's stabilizing. However, it has to sustain momentum while being off next week for the debate.

Two networks did not have as positive results and as much growth. On NBC, Blindspot was down two tenths in viewers and the demo for a series low. After a couple solid weeks, this was an uglier result and closer to what I thought it would be doing. At 9pm, Law & Order: SVU was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo while Chicago PD was even with last week. Finally on the CW, Arrow was even with last week's season premiere. The premiere was low but at least it held up in week two. At 9pm, Frequency was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. This is a pretty weak show but it's clearly a stronger performer than Tuesday's No Tomorrow as it did a better demo this week with a weaker lead-in and more competition.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Lethal Weapon (FOX)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Blindspot (NBC)