Preliminary Ratings: Wednesday 02/04/15

FOX and EMPIRE continue to dominate the Wednesday night ratings, leaving the other networks in the dust. In for the fourth time this season, EMPIRE posts series record numbers, with 11.5 million viewers and a very impressive 4.6 rating in the A18-49 demographic. Week-to-week, that is up about 150,000 viewers and growth of 7% in the demo. What is impressive about EMPIRE is the fact that it is strong in both total viewers and the demo ratings and was the night's #1 show, in both categories.

ABC gave us the first two episodes of the new sitcom, FRESH OFF THE BOAT. Growth of near 15%, out of THE MIDDLE is a positive sign, and is better than how THE GOLDBERGS grow in the time slot. The 9:30 episodes, out of MODERN FAMILY was better than how BLACK-ISH performed, three weeks earlier. But, having a good lead in will not happen when the series moves to its regular time slot, Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m.

CBS is limping along until SURVIVOR returns at the end of the month. THE MENTALIST is taking a hit and becomes a weaker lead in for CRIMINAL MINDS. CBS should rebound to the #2 spot, once that happens.

NBC looked bad on the night. MYSTERIES OF LAURA placed 5th in its time slot, with the second worst A18-49 ratings of any program, including The CW. That weak lead in hurts LAW & ORDER which drew just a 1.3 rating, well below its season average. Only CHICAGO FIRE did weel, winning the 10 p.m. hour, in viewers and demo ratings.

ARROW tied for third in the 8 o'clock hour, topping MYSTERIES OF LAURA and tying THE MENTALIST. It is the best demo rating by the series since early December, which was the crossover episode with THE FLASH.

Preliminary L+SD Network Averages:

ABC - 7.3 million viewers, 2.2 rating in A18-49

CBS - 8.9 million viewers, 1.5 rating in A18-49

CW - 2.2 million viewers, 0.9 rating in A18-49

FOX - 11.2 million viewers, 3.8 rating in A18-49

NBC - 6.7 million viewers, 1.3 rating in A18-49

Time	Net	Program	Viewers*	A18-49	+/-
8:00	ABC	The Middle	8.20	2.2
8:30	ABC	Fresh Off The Boat	7.90	2.5	-4%
9:00	ABC	Modern Family	9.90	3.4	25%
9:30	ABC	Fresh Off The Boat	7.60	2.4	-23%
10:00	ABC	Nashville	5.10	1.3	-33%
8:00	CBS	The Mentalist	8.90	1.2
9:00	CBS	Criminal Minds	10.30	2.0	16%
10:00	CBS	Stalker	7.30	1.3	-29%
8:00	CW	Arrow	2.90	1.2
9:00	CW	The 100	1.60	0.6	-45%
8:00	FOX	American Idol	10.90	3.0
9:00	FOX	Empire	11.50	4.6	6%
8:00	NBC	The Mysteries of Laura	6.30	1.0
9:00	NBC	Law & Order: SVU	6.20	1.3	-2%
10:00	NBC	Chicago PD	7.50	1.6	21%

* - in millions