Ratings: Broadcast Finals for February 5, 2014

CRIMINAL MINDS hit the 200 episode mark, on Wednesday night, and drew it's best numbers of the season. Nearly 13 million viewers tuned in to see the milestone episode, which featured an appearance of former cast member, Padget Brewster. MINDS was second in the hour, in both categories, to AMERICAN IDOL.

The #1 program of the night was AMERICAN IDOL. It's 13.4 million viewers and 3.9 demo rating is up from last Wednesday's episode. A good sign for the aging series. If this trend can continue, IDOL would be safe from chopping block. It has been my opinion that either AI or X FACTOR will be let go this season. Smart money is on X to be aXed

NBC has been limping along, since mid-December, it is doing whatever it can to milk the Olympic games, before they actually start. Wednesday was another Winter Games special, titled HOW TO RAISE AN OLYMPIAN. Viewers were wise to not fall for pre-Olympic programs. They know that for 17 days, it will be wall-to-wall Olympic coverage and do not want to burn out before they are over. The special finished 4th in the 8 p.m. hour, barely ahead of ARROW on the CW.
 

Wednesday Night Network Averages:

ABC - 6.6 million viewers, 1.9 rating in Adults 18-49

CBS - 10.7 million viewers, 2.1 rating in Adults 18-49

CW - 2.1 million viewers, 0.8 rating in Adults 18-49

FOX - 13.4 million viewers, 3.9 rating in Adults 18-49

NBC - 5.5 million viewers, 1.5 rating in Adults 18-49

Time	Net	Program	Viewers*	A18-49	+/-
8:00	ABC	The Middle	8.56	2.2
8:30	ABC	Suburgatory	6.09	1.7	-29%
9:00	ABC	Modern Family	9.87	3.5	62%
9:30	ABC	Super Fun Night	4.60	1.5	-53%
10:00	ABC	Nashville	5.16	1.3	12%
8:00	CBS	Criminal Minds [R]	8.14	1.5
9:00	CBS	Criminal Minds	12.92	2.8	59%
10:00	CBS	CSI	11.16	2.0	-14%
8:00	CW	Arrow	2.86	1.0
9:00	CW	Tomorrow People	1.39	0.5	-51%
8:00	FOX	American Idol	13.43	3.9
8:00	NBC	How to Raise an Olympian	4.22	1.1
9:00	NBC	Law & Order: SVU	6.24	1.8	48%
10:00	NBC	Chicago PD	6.00	1.7	-4%

* - in millions