 |
| ABC's "Happy Endings" hits a series low as most of the network's comedy lineup saw slight boosts. |
Fox’s American Idol continued to dominate in the ratings, even as parts of the U.S. aired NBA playoff games.
Though Idol (20.6 million total viewers, 6.4 rating in adults 18-49 demographic) was down from the previous week, according to preliminary numbers, the competition series was again the top-rated network program on Wednesday, powering Fox for the nightly win. (A few NBA playoff games -- Atlanta Hawks vs. Chicago Bulls and Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers -- aired during primetime.)
Even so, Idol’s audience is up 18 percent in total viewers compared with last year’s top 5 performance show (20.6 million vs. 17.5 million). Season-to-date, Idol has had 94 percent retention in the key adult demo and is up 2 percent in total viewers compared with last season.
Fox’s rookie comedy Breaking In (7.3 million, 2.5), which aired its Comic-Con episode, was up 4 percent in both categories.
In a distant second place was CBS; its Survivor: Redemption Island (10.7 million, 3.0) was down another 6 percent, making it the franchise’s lowest-rated regular telecast. Following was a two-hour block of Criminal Minds (12.8 million, 3.2) and spinoff Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior (8.7 million, 2.2), down 9 percent and 15 percent, respectively.
ABC placed third with the highest-rated scripted program, a Mother’s Day-inspired Modern Family (9.6 million, 3.8), paving the way. The Middle (7.1 million, 2.0; up 5 percent), Better With You (5.5 million, 1.6; up 7 percent) and Cougar Town (5.6 million, 2.2; up 5 percent) all saw increases, but midseason entry Happy Endings (3.7 million, 1.6) -- airing back-to-back new episodes — hit a series low.
NBC’s Minute to Win It (3.4 million, 1.0) was down double digits, while Law & Order: SVU (8.3 million, 2.5) saw a slight boost.
The CW’s America’s Next Top Model (1.9 million, 0.9) aired at 9 p.m., following an encore.
