Ratings Review: ABC Wednesdays - First 4 Weeks

As ABC continues to struggle this season, Wednesday nights may be one of the more stable night the networks has. Here is a look at ABC's first for weeks, on Wednesday nights.

THE MIDDLE has been fairly consistent with drawing in 8+ million viewers and a low two rating in Adults 18-49. That is about where it was last season, but most would have expected more from the sitcom as it entered syndication this fall. The series was preempted on the 16th for a Disney special TOY STORY OF TERROR, which brought in over 10 million viewers and 3+ in the demo ratings. it does show the time slot can do better, with the right programming.

New single camera comedy BACK IN THE GAME appears to be the best performing new comedy ABC has this season. In fact, it may be the #3 overall comedy on the network. But that could just be the time slot, not the quality of the program. Its numbers have been consistent and its lead in erosion is only around 20%, or so. But it showed no growth in it most recent airing, even though the lead in brought it 2+ million more viewers and 30% larger A18-49 audience.

I have seen the first episode of the series and Not quite sure about it. It is not a typical sitcom, but it not original either. Basically, its the BAD NESW BEARS series of the 21st century. With all the other issues ABC has, I can see BACK IN THE GAME making it a full season.

MODERN FAMILY is the rock of the night. It is the only series, outside of Mondays, that draws over 10 million viewers on a regular basis and is the top series of the network in the A18-49 ratings. Over the first four week, it is keeping its viewership at the 11+ million viewers level, and just above a 4.0 demo rating. The series strength is in the DVR ratings. It is bringing in another 4+ million viewers and 30%+ in the A18-49 ratings, by the time the LIVE+7 ratings are factored in. But, it is not a big of a force in the DVR numbers as it has been in past seasons. The 60% lift is no just a 40% lift, similar to most top shows.

Based on the the three week trend for SUPER FUN NIGHT, it will be losing over 50% of its lead in demo ratings by either tonight or the Halloween-eve. In just that three episode span, SFN has lost about 2.3 million viewers and 1/3 of its 18-49 demographic audience. That is with a lead in that has been consistent in delivering a large audience to it. How long it lasts will be determined how much ABC is behind the series. Many shows have earned cancellation from the network, but only so many can be cut at one time.

NASHVILLE had a nice start to the season as it truly competed with CSI for the lead of the time slot in the A18-49 ratings. But the last two weeks, NASHVILLE has slid 20%, while CSI stays the course. DRV ratings have made up the difference in most weeks, but if the slide continues, not even a delayed viewing audience will make up the difference.

Don't expect a lot of change on this night when ABC begins to figure out what to do come mid-season. At most, I can see SUPER FUN NIGHT leaving the night for either a new comedy or existing sitcom needing a new home.

Series	Category	09/25	10/02	10/09	10/16	AVG
The Middle	Viewers*	8.94	8.03	8.25		8.54
	A18-49	2.5	2.3	2.2		2.4
Back In The Game	Viewers*	8.01	6.71	6.53	6.35	6.90
	A18-49	2.2	1.9	1.8	1.9	2.0
Modern Family	Viewers*	11.68	11.12	10.64	10.94	11.01
	A18-49	4.2	4.2	3.9	4.1	2.0
Super Fun Night	Viewers*		8.23	6.64	5.95	6.90
	A18-49		3.2	2.5	2.1	2.6
Nashville	Viewers*	6.50	5.98	5.84	5.76	6.02
	A18-49	2.0	1.9	1.6	1.6	1.7

* - in millions