ABC's Modern Family Posts Best-Ever Repeat Against Idol

Some early points ahead of the regular press release.

Building on its lead-in by 14% at 8:30pm against the second half-hour of an expanded 2-hour Idol, ABC's repeat The Middle ranked as the #1 scripted TV show in its slot among Adults 18-49 (1.6/5), matching an original episode of CBS' Accidentally On Purpose (season finale) and beating NBC's original Mercy by 33% (1.2/3).

Jumping 38% from its lead-in against the third half-hour of Idol, ABC's repeat Modern Family finished as top-rated scripted show at 9pm among Adults 18-49 (2.2/6), beating CBS' replay Criminal Minds by 29% (1.7/5) and NBC's Law & Order: SVU replay by 83% (1.2/3). Modern Family has registered as the #1 scripted show in its time period on 8 of its last 9 telecasts (repeats and originals).

· Among Adults 18-49, Modern Family posted its highest-rated repeat performance in the slot since the beginning of December (since 12/2/09), its 2nd-highest-ever in the half hour. In fact it was the ABC freshman comedy's best-ever repeat number when airing against Idol.

Quick Take for Wednesday, April 21, 2010 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

Building on its Lead-in Against an Expanded "Idol," ABC's Repeat "The Middle" is the No. 1 Scripted Show at 8:30PM in Adults 18-49

ABC's "Modern Family" is the No. 1 Scripted TV Show in its Slot for the 8th Time In 9 Telecasts with Adults 18-49, Beating a Replay of "Criminal Minds" by 29%

Marking its Top Repeat Performance in the Half-Hour in Nearly 5 Months, "Modern Family" Marks its Best-Ever Replay When Airing Opposite "Idol"

"The Middle" (8:30-9:00 p.m.)

Building on its lead-in by 14% at 8:30 p.m. against the second half-hour of an expanded 2-hour "Idol," ABC's repeat "The Middle" ranked as the No. 1 scripted TV show in its slot among Adults 18-49 (1.6/5), matching the freshman season-finale episode of CBS' "Accidentally On Purpose" and beating NBC's original "Mercy" by 33% (1.2/3). In addition, ABC's repeat freshman comedy beat the season closer of "Accidentally On Purpose" in Adults 18-34, Men 18-34, Women 18-34 and Women 18-49.

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

Jumping 38% from its lead-in against the third half-hour of "Idol," ABC's repeat "Modern Family" finished as top-rated scripted show at 9:00 p.m. among Adults 18-49 (2.2/6), beating CBS' replay "Criminal Minds" by 29% (1.7/5) and NBC's "Law & Order: SVU" replay by 83% (1.2/3). "Modern Family" has registered as the No. 1 scripted show in its time period on 8 of its last 9 telecasts (repeats and originals).

· Among Adults 18-49, "Modern Family" posted its highest-rated repeat performance in the slot since the beginning of December (since 12/2/09), its 2nd-highest-ever replay in the half hour. In fact, it was the ABC freshman comedy's best-ever repeat number when airing head-to-head against "Idol".

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 36% currently, from 31% 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.

Source: Nielsen Media Research (Fast Affiliate, Live + Same Day Ratings), 4/21/10.