Fast National ratings for Wednesday, January 29, 2014.
“American Idol” posted another week of slight declines on Wednesday night, but still dominated primetime in all measures.
On a Wednesday that offered a mixture of repeats and originals, NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Chicago PD” capitalized on CBS repeats to rise, along with The CW’s “Arrow” and “The Tomorrow People.” Predictably, without their comedy hit lead-ins, ABC’s “Suburgatory” and “Super Fun Night” were both down, as was NBC’s “Revolution.”
On to the numbers…
Among adults 18-49, FOX averaged a 3.8 rating for Wednesday night, easily winning in the key demographic. The other networks were bunched up far behind, with NBC averaging a 1.6 key demo rating, followed by ABC’s 1.5 key demo rating and the 1.4 key demo rating for CBS. The CW averaged a 0.8 key demo rating for the night.
Overall, FOX averaged an estimated 12.4 million viewers and a 7.3 rating/11 share for Wednesday night, again well ahead of the competition. CBS was a distant second with 7.5 million viewers and a 4.8/8, followed by NBC’s 6.51 million viewers and 4.3/7. ABC was fourth for the night with 5.185 million viewers and a 3.4/5, comfortably in front of the 2.19 million viewers and 1.4/2 for The CW.
8 p.m. – FOX started the night in first with 11.75 million viewers and a 3.5 rating among adults 18-49 for “American Idol.” CBS’ “Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials” averaged 9.52 million viewers and a 1.9 key demo rating for second. ABC was third with a repeat of “The Middle” (5.795 million and a 1.5 key demo and a new “Suburgatory” (5.05 million and a 1.5 key demo), just ahead of the 5.13 million viewers and 1.3 key demo rating for NBC’s “Revolution.” On The CW, “Arrow” averaged 2.73 million viewers and a 1.0 key demo rating.
9 p.m. – “American Idol” stayed in first for the 9 p.m. hour and rose to 13.05 million viewers and a 4.0 rating among adults 18-49 for FOX. [The bigger decline for “Idol” was in the 8 p.m. hour. The 9 p.m. hour was closer to flat.] NBC was second with 7.54 million viewers and a 1.9 key demo rating for “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” CBS’ “Criminal Minds” repeat was third with 6.61 million viewers and fourth with a 1.3 key demo rating. ABC was third in the key demo and fourth overall with a “Modern Family” repeat (5.99 million viewers and a 1.9 key demo) and a new “Super Fun Night” (3.88 million viewers and a 1.3 key demo). The CW’s “The Tomorrow People” averaged 1.64 million viewers and a 0.6 key demo rating.
10 p.m. – “Chicago PD” won the 10 p.m. hour with 6.88 million viewers and a 1.7 rating among adults 18-49 for NBC. CBS’ “CSI” repeat averaged 6.36 million viewers for second and finished third with a 1.1 key demo rating. ABC’s “Nashville” was up a hair from last week with 5.2 million viewers and a 1.5 key demo rating.
All ratings information comes from preliminary Fast National Nielsen data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are subject to change.