Average a 2.9 in 18-49s, with 'Criminal Minds' the top show
By Toni Fitzgerald Oct 22, 2009
Wednesday has become one of the most competitive nights of the week between Fox and CBS. Last night they tied for the lead for the third time in three weeks, though CBS can boast it had the night's highest-rated show.
CBS and Fox both averaged a 2.9 adults 18-49 rating and 8 share in primetime, according to Nielsen overnights, well ahead of No. 3 ABC at 2.2/6.
The 9 p.m. hour was once again extremely competitive, and even moreso this week with NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" jumping to a season-high 2.9 rating. The show placed fourth in the hour, but that was higher than the winning average in the 8 p.m. hour.
CBS's steady "Criminal Minds" won the hour with a 3.6 rating, the night's top-rated show. The night's second-highest-rated show, ABC's "Modern Family," also aired at 9, averaging a 3.3.
Fox's "Glee," the night's No. 3 show, averaged a 3.2 at 9, and ABC's "Cougar Town," at 9:30, posted a 3.
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Meanwhile, for the night, NBC placed fourth in primetime at 2.1/6, followed by Univision in fifth at 1.5/4 and CW sixth at 1.0/3.
As a reminder, all ratings are based on live-plus-same-day DVR playback. Seven-day DVR data won’t be available for several weeks. Thirty-three percent of Nielsen households have DVRs.
At 8 p.m. Fox was first with a 2.6 for “So You Think You Can Dance,” followed by CBS with a 2.1 for “The New Adventures of Old Christine” (2.1) and “Gary Unmarried” (2.2). NBC was third with a 2.0 for “Mercy,” ABC fourth with a 1.8 for “Hank” (1.5) and “The Middle” (2.0) and CW and Univision tied for fifth at 1.4, CW for “America’s Next Top Model” and Univision for “El Nombre del Amor.”
CBS took the lead at 9 p.m. with a 3.6 for “Minds,” while Fox and ABC tied for second at 3.2, Fox for “Glee” and ABC for “Modern” (3.3) and “Cougar” (3.0). NBC was fourth with a 2.9 for “SVU,” Univision fifth with a 2.0 for “Sortilegio” and CW sixth with a 0.5 for a repeat of “Melrose Place.”
At 10 p.m. CBS was first again with a 3.0 for “CSI: NY,” with ABC second with a 1.7 for “Eastwick.” NBC was third with a 1.5 for “The Jay Leno Show” and Univision fourth with a 1.1 for “Don Francisco Presenta.”
CBS led the night among households with a 7.1 average overnight rating and a 12 share. NBC was second at 4.8/8, Fox third at 4.3/7, ABC fourth at 4.2/7, Univision fifth at 2.0/3 and CW sixth at 1.4/2.
