ABC's 'Modern Family' and 'The Middle' Lead Wednesdays

Growing week to week, ABC's repeat airing of The Middle stood as the most-watched TV show at 8pm, beating out Fox's original Human Target in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. The Middle generated its 2nd-biggest-ever repeat audience on the night.

Jumping week to week by double-digit percentages in viewers (+19%) and young adults (+15%), ABC's repeat freshman Better with You matched Fox's original Human Target at 8:30pm in Adults 18-49, while towering over CBS' original holiday special and NBC's original drama. In addition, Better with you defeated its broadcast rivals in the half-hour with Adults 18-34 and across all key Women demos (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54). Delivering its best-ever lead-in retention, the new ABC comedy held 100% of its Adult 18-49 audience from The Middle and built by 10% in Adults 18-34.

Building on its lead-in at 9pm, ABC's replay Modern Family led the pack by a wide margin at 9pm in Adults 18-49, defeating Fox's original Million Dollar Money Drop by 43%. In fact the encore telecast of ABC's Modern Family dominated original competition on each of the other networks during prime, including CBS' 12th Annual Home for the Holidays special, Fox's entire line up (Human Target/Million Dollar Money Drop) and NBC's Undercovers.

Quick Take for Wednesday, December 22, 2010 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

ABC's Repeat "The Middle" Wins at 8pm Over Original Competition, Generating its 2nd-Most-Watched-Ever Encore Airing on the Night

Posting its Best-Ever Lead-in Retention and Beating Original Competition, ABC's "Better with You" Rebroadcast Jumps Week to Week by Double-Digit Percentages

ABC's Replay "Modern Family" Dominates its Network Rivals on Wednesday Night In Adults 18-49, Beating Fox's Original "Million Dollar Money Drop" by 43% at 9pm

"The Middle" (8:00-8:30 p.m.)

Growing week to week, ABC's repeat airing of "The Middle" stood as the most-watched TV show at 8:00 p.m., beating out Fox's original "Human Target" in Total Viewers (6.1 million vs. 5.6 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.5/5 vs. 1.4/5).

· "The Middle" generated its 2nd-biggest-ever repeat audience on the night.

"Better with You" (8:30-9:00 p.m.)

Jumping week to week by double-digit percentages in viewers (+19%) and young adults (+15%), ABC's repeat freshman "Better with You" tied Fox's original "Human Target" at 8:30 p.m. in Adults 18-49 (1.5/5), while leading its broadcast rivals with Adults 18-34 and across all key Women demos (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54). Delivering its best-ever lead-in retention, the new ABC comedy held 100% of its Adult 18-49 audience from "The Middle" and built by 10% in Adults 18-34.

"Modern Family" (9:00-9:30 p.m.)

Building on its lead-in at 9:00 p.m., ABC's replay "Modern Family" led the pack by a wide margin at 9:00 p.m. in Adults 18-49, beating Fox's original "Million Dollar Money Drop" by 43% (2.0/6 vs.1.4/4). In fact the encore telecast of ABC's "Modern Family" dominated original competition on each of the other networks during prime, including CBS' "12th Annual Home For the Holidays" special, Fox's entire lineup ("Human Target"/"Million Dollar Money Drop") and NBC's "Undercovers."

A note about increasing DVR penetration and year-to-year rating comparisons: Year-to-year rating comparisons based on the Live + Same Day data stream are distorted by the level of DVR penetration in the Nielsen sample, which has jumped up to 38% currently, from 34% at the same point in 2009. More viewers are watching shows on their own timetables, which may not be reflected in the overnight next day numbers. The only truly valid year-to-year comparison would be one based on the Live + 7 Day metric, once those stats are released by Nielsen.

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