ABC Wins Wednesday Night as Its Each Series Grow/"Nashville" Is Up for 3rd Straight Original

As each of its series grew over their most recent original telecasts in early December, ABC won Wednesday night in Adults 18-49 over original programming on each of the other nets, including CBS with The People's Choice Awards. ABC's Modern Family qualified as Wednesday's #1 TV show for its 10th straight original telecast across all key Adult demos (AD18-34/AD18-49/AD25-54). ABC earned its top-rated Wednesday since early November in Adults 18-49 with regular programming on the night - since 11/7/12.

At 8pm, ABC's The Middle won its half-hour in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. The Middle was up over its most recent original 4 weeks ago by 15% in viewers and by 14% in young adults to its best numbers since 11/14/12.

At 8:30pm, ABC freshman The Neighbors ranked #1 in Adults 18-49, beating NBC's freshman Guys with Kids by 65% in viewers and by a best-ever 54% in young adults. The Neighbors built over its last original by 23% in Total Viewers and by 25% in Adults 18-49 with its strongest numbers since November - since 11/14/12 and 11/7/12, respectively.

At 9pm, ABC's Modern Family shot to the top of its half-hour, outpacing its nearest competition (CBS' People's Choice Awards) by 22% in Total Viewers and by 88% in Adults 18-49. Modern grew from its last original by 10% in viewers and by 12% in young adults to post its top numbers since 11/7/12.

In the 9:30pm half-hour, ABC's Suburgatory was the scripted leader in Adults 18-49, beating NBC's original L&O: SVU by 23% in Adults 18-49. Suburgatory was up over its last original 5 weeks ago by 15% in Total Viewers and by 23% in Adults 18-49 to its highest young adult number since 11/7/12.

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's Nashville once again beat its CBS and NBC drama competition among Women 18-34. Season to date, Nashville is delivering big increases via TV playback, picking up 57% in Adults 18-49 (+1.2 rating) and 45% in Total Viewers (+2.9 million) from L+SD to L+7. Equaling its 2nd-highest Adult 18-49 number, Nashville built for its 3rd straight original telecast among young adults (+5% from its Winter Finale on 12/5/12).

Quick Take for Wednesday, January 9, 2013 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

As Each of its Series Grow, ABC Wins with its Top-Rated Wednesday Since November

"The Middle" Leads at 8pm with its Strongest Performance Since Mid-November

ABC's "The Neighbors" is No. 1 at 8:30pm in Adults 18-49 at a 9-Week High

"Modern Family" is Wednesday's No. 1 TV Show for its 10th Straight Original Airing

With its Top Rating in 2 Months, "Suburgatory" is the No. 1 Scripted Show at 9:30pm

Up for its 3rd Straight Original, "Nashville" Equals its 2nd-Best Adult 18-49 Number

Wednesday Night (8:00-11:00 p.m.)

As each of its series grew over their most recent original telecasts in early December, ABC won Wednesday night in Adults 18-49 (2.6/7) over original programming on each of the other nets, including CBS with "The People's Choice Awards." ABC's "Modern Family" qualified as Wednesday's No. 1 TV show for its 10th straight first-run broadcast across all key Adult demos (AD18-34/AD18-49/AD25-54).

· ABC earned its top-rated Wednesday since early November in Adults 18-49 with regular programming on the night - since 11/7/12.

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

At 8:00 p.m., ABC's "The Middle" won its half-hour in Total Viewers (8.4 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.4/7). "The Middle" was up over its most recent original 4 weeks ago by 15% in viewers and by 14% in young adults to its best numbers since 11/14/12.

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

At 8:30 p.m., ABC freshman "The Neighbors" ranked No. 1 in Adults 18-49 (tie), beating NBC's freshman "Guys with Kids" by 65% in viewers (6.6 million vs. 4.0 million) and by a best-ever 54% in young adults (2.0/6 vs. 1.3/4). "The Neighbors" built over its last original by 23% in Total Viewers and by 25% in Adults 18-49 with its strongest numbers since November - since 11/14/12 and 11/7/12, respectively.

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

At 9:00 p.m., ABC's "Modern Family" shot to the top of its half-hour, outpacing its nearest competition (CBS' "People's Choice Awards") by 22% in Total Viewers (12.0 million vs. 9.8 million) and by 88% in Adults 18-49 (4.7/12 vs. 2.5/7). "Modern Family" grew from its last original by 10% in viewers and by 12% in young adults to post its top numbers since 11/7/12.

"Suburgatory" (9:30-10:00 p.m.)

In the 9:30 p.m. half-hour, ABC's "Suburgatory" was the scripted leader in Adults 18-49, beating NBC's "L&O: SVU" by 23% in Adults 18-49 (2.7/7 vs. 2.2/6). "Suburgatory" was up over its last original 5 weeks ago by 15% in Total Viewers and by 23% in Adults 18-49 to its highest young adult number since 11/7/12.

"Nashville" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Nashville" once again beat its CBS and NBC drama competition among Women 18-34 (2.6/8). Season to date, "Nashville" is delivering big increases via TV playback, picking up 57% in Adults 18-49 (+1.2 rating) and 45% in Total Viewers (+2.9 million) from L+SD to L+7.

· Equaling its 2nd-highest Adult 18-49 rating, "Nashville" built for its 3rd straight original telecast among young adults (2.0/6 vs. 1.9/5 - +5% from its Winter Finale on 12/5/12).

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 47% currently, from 43% at the same point in 2012. 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), 01/09/13.