With a fresh marketing campaign and solid support from FOX, “Human Target” nonetheless returned to soft ratings Wednesday night.
The second season premiere managed a 1.8 adults 18-49 rating with 6.62 million viewers, resulting in a third place finish behind CBS’ “Survivor” (12.01 million, 3.5) and ABC’s “The Middle/Better With You” combination (9.19 million/2.8 and 7.03 million/2.3).
Though not a dramatic decline from its late season one figures, especially since those episodes possibly benefitted from the “halo effect” of airing prior to “American Idol,” the 1.8 rating is far from enough to solidify “Target” as a surefire part of FOX’s long-term picture.
FOX’s “Hell’s Kitchen” scored a 2.6 with 5.87 million in the 9PM hour.
ABC’s king “Modern Family” garnered a 4.7 with 12.00 million viewers. Down from recent airings, the rating was still dominant Wednesday and should only fall to “Glee”‘s whopping 5.0 final rating in the weekly scripted ratings race.
“Cougar Town” led out with a 3.0 and 7.13 million, while the “25 Years of Sexy: People’s Sexiest Men Alive” special barely registered at a 1.5 with 4.16 million.
Following “Survivor,” CBS offered viewership king “Criminal Minds” (14.29 million, 3.7) and modest freshman series “Defenders” (9.37 million, 1.9).
NBC’s lineup included a “Dateline” special (6.70 million, 1.6), the timeslot-affected “Law & Order: SVU” (7.63 million, 2.1) and “Law & Order: LA” (7.84 million, 1.9).
The CW was, as usual, off the map with “America’s Next Top Model” (2.50 million, 1.1) and “Hellcats” (2.06 million, 0.9).