Last week, the buzzworthy “Glee” defeated “Modern Family” in the ratings for the first time this season.
This week, despite yet another ratings improvement for “Glee,” “Modern Family” won the battle of critically-acclaimed new comedies.
Offering an early indication that its full season pickup was justified, “Modern Family” rose from last week’s low to 9.3 million viewers and a 3.6 rating in adults 18-49. Slightly behind “Criminal Minds” in the demo (13.4 million, 3.6), “Family” topped the rising “Glee” (7.5 million, 3.4 or 3.3 depending on source).
Numerous other shows received positive results in the Wednesday ratings. FOX’s “So You Think You Can Dance” jumped more than 10% with 7.1 million viewers and a 2.8 rating, while CBS’ 8PM comedy lineup of “The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7.5 million, 2.2) and “Gary Unmarried” (7.4 million 2.4) made similarly solid gains.
Elsewhere, ABC’s earlier comedies held steady in relatively weak territory–6.2 million viewers and a 1.6 rating for “Hank”; 6.7 million with a 2.0 for “The Middle.” “Cougar Town” was in its expected range with 7.9 million viewers and a 3.2, while “Eastwick” continued to post terrible numbers with 5.1 million and a 1.7.
The poor “Eastwick” performance actually gave “The Jay Leno Show” (6.2 million, 1.7) an opportunity to finish in second for the hour. “CSI: NY” won 10PM easily, nonetheless, with 12.9 million viewers and a 3.2.
At 8PM, NBC’s “Mercy” delivered 7.3 million viewers and a 2.0 for the network; “Law & Order: SVU” followed with 8.8 million viewers and a 2.7. The CW’s “America’s Next Top Model” garnered 3.1 million viewers and a 1.4.