Ratings: Broadcast Finals for April 3, 2013

It was a rare April Wednesday night where every program, on every network, was in original episodes, Plus there was a series premiere and two shows moved to new time slots.

ABC's long awaited sitcom HOW TO LIVE WITH YOUR PARENTS, starring Brad Garrett, received a solid sampling out of MODERN FAMILY. The new series drew 8.4 million viewers and a 2.9 rating in Adults 18-49. It only lost 22% of the viewers, but did lose 31% of the demo lead in. The series only has 4-6 weeks to make a good impression and get a second season, but considering the competition within the network, it already has a leg up on renewal.

On a side note. Why is it that ABC is drawn to series titles that are more like a full sentence? It all started in the 90's with TWO GUYS, A GIRL AND A PIZZA PLACE, then continued with last season's DON'T TRUST THE B- IN APT. 23. Now we have the HOW TO LIVE WITH YOU PARENTS... I think the executives at ABC have confused a TITLE with a LOGLINE.

Earlier on ABC, SUBURGATORY took over the 8:30 p.m. time slot and performed slightly better than THE NEIGHBORS did last week, drawing a 1.8 demo rating, it was up 20% over the season finally of the freshman comedy. These two sitcoms may be battling each other for a slot in the 2013-14 schedule and if SUBURGATORY wants a third season, it needs to keep retention high for the short time it has the 8:30 slot.

DATELINE is now on Wednesdays and dramatically improved the 8 p.m. time slot for NBC. Collecting 5.9 million viewers and a 1.4 demo rating, DATE LINE grew the time slot by 3 million viewers and 40% in A18-49, from last week's two episode finale of WHITNEY. NBC should have made this change 3 months ago and banished the Wednesday comedies to Fridays, where they could have done less damage to the network.

Just a few weeks ago, CHICAGO FIRE won the 10 p.m. time slot over original episode of both CSI and NASHVILLE. This Wednesday, the freshman drama was lost in the time slot, even losing to NASHVILLE in the A18-49 ratings. This will help the case for NASHVILLE to get a second season, but should not hurt CHICAGO FIRE. CF is a slam dunk for a 2nd season as it is one of the few decently rated programs on NBC.

For the Night:

FOX - 11.8 million viewers, 3.1 rating in Adults 18-49

CBS - 10.0 million viewers, 2.5 rating in Adults 18-49

ABC - 7.2 million viewers, 2.4 rating in Adults 18-49

NBC - 6.2 million viewers, 1.5 rating in Adults 18-49

CW - 2.4 million viewers, 0.9 rating in Adults 18-49

Time	Net	Program	Viewers*	Demo	+/-
8:00	ABC	The Middle	7.22	2.0
8:30	ABC	Suburgatory	5.83	1.8	-19%
9:00	ABC	Modern Family	10.88	4.2	+87%
9:30	ABC	How to Live w/Parents	8.44	2.9	-22%
10:00	ABC	Nashville	5.54	1.7	-34%
8:00	CBS	Survivor	9.25	2.5
9:00	CBS	Criminal Minds	10.79	2.8	-17%
10:00	CBS	CSI	9.89	2.1	-8%
8:00	CW	Arrow	2.92	0.9
9:00	CW	Supernatural	1.90	0.8	-35%
8:00	FOX	American Idol	11.76	3.1
8:00	NBC	Dateline	5.88	1.4
9:00	NBC	Law & Order: SVU	6.34	1.6	+8%
10:00	NBC	Chicago Fire	6.37	1.6	Even

* - in millions