ABC's SURBURGATORY Earns Most-Watched Telecast Since February

Opposite Fox's 2-hour "American Idol" on Wednesday, ABC held the No. 2 position on the night for the 2nd week in a row. ABC's "Modern Family" ranked as Wednesday's No. 1 scripted TV show in Adults 18-49, while "The Middle" tied "Criminal Minds" for No. 2.

The Net was up week to week in viewers (+2%) and young adults (+11%), matching a 9-week high in Adults 18-49 - since 11/20/13. In fact, all 5 of ABC's Wednesday series grew week to week in Adults 18-49.

"The Middle" (8:00-8:30 p.m. - 8.1 million and 2.2/7 in AD18-49):
At 8:00 p.m., "The Middle" built week to week in viewers (+8%) and young adults (+22%), posting its best numbers against "American Idol" in almost 1 year - since 2/20/13.

"Suburgatory" (8:30-9:00 p.m. - 6.1 million and 1.8/5 in AD18-49):
At 8:30 p.m., ABC's "Suburgatory" improved by double digits over its week-ago season premiere in Total Viewers (+15%) and Adults 18-49 (+13%), marking its most-watched telecast since February and tying its best young adult number since March - since 2/27/13 and 3/27/13, respectively. In addition among Adults 18-49, "Suburgatory" delivered ABC's top rating in the half-hour since mid-November - since 11/13/13.

"Modern Family" (9:00-9:30 p.m. - 9.7 million and 3.5/9 in AD18-49):
Surging over its lead-in at 9:00 p.m., ABC's "Modern Family" was up from the previous week by 7% in Total Viewers and by 9% in Adults 18-49, equaling a 10-week high with young adults - since 11/13/13.

"Super Fun Night" (9:30-10:00 p.m. - 5.2 million and 1.7/4 in AD18-49):
In the 9:30 p.m. half-hour, "Super Fun Night" increased week to week by 18% in Total Viewers and by 13% in Adults 18-49. Spiking 36% in Adults 18-34, "Super Fun Night" earned a 10-week high - since 11/13/13.

"Nashville" (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 5.0 million and 1.4/4 in AD18-49):
In the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Nashville" gained 8% in Adults 18-49 from the prior week. On average, "Nashville" is ABC's biggest percentage gainer in TV playback this season (Top 5 on all of broadcast), shooting up 75% in Adults 18-49 (+1.2 rating points) from L+SD to L+7.

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 49% currently, from 47% at the same point in 2013. 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.

Source: The Nielsen Company, Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings for 01/22/14.

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