Ratings Review: THE MIDDLE (Season Four)

THE MIDDLE is not a breakout hit sitcom like MODERN FAMILY or THE BIG BANG THEORY. It may not even be on the level of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER. But, it is a solid ratings performer for ABC.

THE MIDDLE is a series that can kick off a comedy block and deliver a good size audience to a new sitcom at the bottom of the hour. As the series head to syndication this fall, we should see a surge in the ratings for the new episodes on ABC.

For the season, THE MIDDLE averaged 7.25 million viewers and a 2.0 rating in Adults 18-49, for the 31 airings, including 8 repeat airings. This fifth season should be a big season for the seriesas they will hit episode #100 in early October.

THE MIDDLE (Wednesdays at 8 p.m., on ABC)

Date	Viewers*	A18-49	+/-
09/26/13	9.160	2.9		1hr episode
10/03/13	7.720	2.2	-16%
10/10/13	7.900	2.4	2%
10/17/13	8.390	2.5	6%
10/24/13	8.800	2.6	5%
10/31/13	Preempted
11/07/13	9.040	2.7
11/14/13	8.790	2.6	-3%
11/21/13	Preempted
11/28/13	Preempted
12/05/13	7.980	2.3
12/12/13	7.290	2.7	-9%
12/19/13	5.020	1.3	-31%	R
12/26/13	4.540	1.0	-10%	R
01/02/14	6.610	1.8	46%	R
01/09/14	8.450	2.4	28%
01/16/14	8.210	2.3	-3%
01/23/14	8.55	2.5	4%
01/30/14	5.51	1.3	-36%	R
02/06/14	8.21	2.3	49%
02/13/14	7.72	1.9	-6%
02/20/14	8.27	2.3	7%
02/27/14	7.97	2.1	-4%
03/06/14	5.91	1.6	-26%	R
03/13/14	4.75	1.3	-20%	R
03/20/14	4.78	1.2	1%	R
03/27/14	6.90	1.8	44%
04/03/14	7.22	2.0	5%
04/10/14	7.55	2.0	5%
04/17/14	Preempted
04/24/14	4.76	1.2		R
05/01/14	7.41	2.0	56%
05/08/14	6.80	1.8	-8%
05/15/14	6.76	1.9	-1%
05/22/14	7.70	2.0	14%

* - in millions