L+3 Ratings: September 23, 2015

ABC and FOX were the only networks to release the early Live+3 day ratings for their premieres, with some CBS numbers with in those releases. EMPIRE was the big winner of Wednesday night, grabbing 22.5 million viewers and a strong 8.7 rating in Adults 18-49. This easily makes EMPIRE the top regular series of network TV. Now, if FOX could just find a couple of other shows to do half these numbers.

Preceding EMPIRE was the series premiere of ROSEWOOD and it did not do as well in the time-shifted ratings. Just a 15% lift in the demo rating and 1.5 million more viewers is not reassuring that viewers are tuning to actually watch ROSEWOOD, instead of tuning in early to watch EMPIRE. But, FOX is still doing better this season than last.

The ABC comedies saw increases of 30% or better, in their A18-49 ratings, with THE GOLDBERGS and BLACK-ISH posted their best lifts since last fall. NASHVILLE 's L+3 ratings were better than its season finale and tops last year's season premiere.

NBC has yet to release any numbers of for Wednesday, so that can lead us to believe the numbers are below expectations.

Time	Net	Program	P2*	A18-49	P2(L3)*	18-49(L3)
8:00	ABC	The Middle (SP)	8.21	2.1	10.10	2.8
8:30	ABC	The Goldbergs (SP)	7.62	2.4	9.70	3.3
9:00	ABC	Modern Family (SP)	9.46	3.2	14.00	4.9
9:30	ABC	Black-ish (SP)	7.30	2.4	10.60	3.5
10:00	ABC	Nashville (SP)	4.91	1.2	7.60	2.1
8:00	CBS	Survivor (SP)	9.70	2.5		3.1
9:30	CBS	Big Brother (SF)	6.53	2.2		2.6
8:00	CW	ANTM	1.35	0.4
9:00	CW	A Wicked Offer (SF)	0.50	0.2
8:00	FOX	Rosewood (SP)	7.54	2.4	9.00	2.8
9:00	FOX	Empire (SP)	16.18	6.7	22.50	8.7
8:00	NBC	Mysteries/Laura (SP)	7.11	1.2	8.60	1.6
9:00	NBC	L&O: SVU (SP)	8.27	1.8	10.50	2.6