“Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior” Ratings Fall, “Modern Family” Posts Low

After a sampling so strong it beat its source series “Criminal Minds” in the ratings, CBS’ new spin-off “Suspect Behavior” took a big tumble for its second episode.

The adults 18-49 rating for “Behavior” dropped to a 2.5 with 9.93 million viewers. Basically tied with “Law & Order: SVU” in the demo race (rounding is making it hard to forecast which show will win in the finals), “Behavior” still, however, had the viewership lead at 10PM.

But for a show that started with promise and has as compatible a lead-in as a show could ever receive, the decline of more than 20% from the premiere is far from positive. “Criminal Minds,” in fact, actually grew over last week’s performance, delivering a 3.4 with 13.44 million viewers. Earlier in the night, “Survivor” delivered a 3.3 with 11.16 million.

Of course, CBS’ new series was not the only show to struggle Tuesday night. After reaching red-hot levels several weeks ago, the ABC comedy lineup continues its slight fade. Up against the softest (albeit still dominant) half hour of “American Idol,” “The Middle” garnered a 2.4 with 8.07 million viewers. “Better With You” followed with a disappointing 1.8 and 5.85 million.

Flagship “Modern Family” declined again, this time reaching a season low 4.1 with 10.34 million. While it is never desirable to go head-to-head with a powerhouse like “Idol,” previous installments of “Family” have delivered better ratings against stronger “Idol” half-hours. “Mr. Sunshine” dipped to a 2.4 with 6.46 million viewers, effectively showing no improvement over previous occupant “Cougar Town.”

At 10PM, ABC’s “Off The Map” continued its disappointing run at a 1.7 with 4.88 million viewers.

Head-to-head with full lineups on ABC and CBS, FOX’s two-hour “American Idol” dipped to a 7.9 with 22.60 million viewers.