ABC's "The Middle" and "Back in the Game" Grow in Men 18-34 Against the World Series

The Middle (8-8:30pm - 8.0 million and 2.1/7 in AD18-49): At 8pm opposite the start of the final game of the World Series, ABC's The Middle retained 100% of its week-ago Fast Affiliate Adult 18-49 rating and was up 20% week to week with Men 18-34. In its half-hour, The Middle ran neck-and-neck with Survivor in Adults 18-49 (2.1/7 vs. 2.2/7) and beat the CBS unscripted series with Adults 18-34, Men 18-34 and Women 18-34.

Back in the Game (8:30-9pm - 6.2 million and 1.7/5 in AD18-49): In the 8:30pm half-hour, ABC's Back in the Game held even week to week and continued to outperform NBC's Revolution in the half-hour by wide margins, defeating the NBC sophomore drama by 1.3 million viewers (6.2 million vs. 4.9 million) and by 21% in Adults 18-49 (1.7/5 vs. 1.4/4). Like its lead-in, Back in the Game was up 25% from the prior week in Men 18-34.

Modern Family - R (9-9:30pm - 7.4 million and 2.2/6 in AD18-49): Building on its lead-in at 9pm, ABC's repeat Modern Family was the #2 scripted show of the night in Adults 18-49. In Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, Modern Family turned in its best repeat performance since early last December - since 12/2/12.

Super Fun Night (9:30-10pm - 5.4 million and 1.8/5 in AD18-49): In the 9:30pm half-hour, ABC's Super Fun Night held 82% of its Modern Family Adult 18-49 lead-in to rank as the #2 entertainment show in its time period.

Nashville (10-11pm - 5.2 million and 1.4/4 in AD18-49): At 10pm against the deciding World Series game, ABC's Nashville paced within 2-tenths of its week-earlier Adult 18-49 rating and held 95% of its Total Viewer count. Jumping 72% on average in the L+7 Adult 18-49 ratings, Nashville is ABC's biggest percentage gainer this season and places in the Top 5 broadcast series overall. The ABC sophomore drama gets a much bigger playback lift than time-slot competitor CSI (72% vs. 50%), outdelivering the CBS drama in the finals at a 3.1 rating (vs. a 3.0 rating).

Quick Take for Wednesday, October 30, 2013 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

Against the World Series, ABC's Wednesday 8-9pm Comedies Build Week to Week Among Men 18-34, with "The Middle" Up 20% and "Back in the Game" Up 25%

"Modern Family" Delivers its Strongest Repeat Performance Since December

"Super Fun Night" Retains 82% of its Adult 18-49 Lead-in from "Modern Family"

ABC's "Nashville" Leads CBS' "CSI" for the Season in the L+7 Adult 18-49 Ratings

"The Middle" (8:00-8:30 p.m. - 8.0 million and 2.1/7 in AD18-49):

At 8:00 p.m. opposite the start of the final game of the World Series, ABC's "The Middle" retained 100% of its week-ago Fast Affiliate Adult 18-49 rating and was up 20% week to week with Men 18-34. In its half-hour, "The Middle" ran neck-and-neck with "Survivor in Adults 18-49 (2.1/7 vs. 2.2/7) and beat the CBS unscripted series with Adults 18-34, Men 18-34 and Women 18-34.

"Back in the Game" (8:30-9:00 p.m. - 6.2 million and 1.7/5 in AD18-49):

At 8:30 p.m., ABC's "Back in the Game" held even week to week and continued to outperform NBC's "Revolution" in the half-hour by strong margins, defeating the NBC sophomore drama by 1.3 million viewers (6.2 million vs. 4.9 million) and by 21% in Adults 18-49 (1.7/5 vs. 1.4/4). Like its lead-in, "Back in the Game" was up 25% from the prior week in Men 18-34.

"Modern Family - R" (9:00-9:30 p.m. - 7.4 million and 2.2/6 in AD18-49):

Building on its lead-in at 9:00 p.m., ABC's repeat "Modern Family" was the No. 2 scripted show of the night in Adults 18-49. In Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, "Modern Family" turned in its best repeat performance since the beginning of December - since 12/2/12.

"Super Fun Night" (9:30-10:00 p.m. - 5.4 million and 1.8/5 in AD18-49):

In the 9:30 p.m. half-hour, ABC's "Super Fun Night" held 82% of its "Modern Family" Adult 18-49 lead-in to rank as the No. 2 entertainment show in its time period.

"Nashville" (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 5.2 million and 1.4/4 in AD18-49):

At 10:00 p.m. against the conclusion of the deciding World Series game, ABC's "Nashville" paced within 2-tenths of its week-earlier Adult 18-49 rating and held 95% of its Total Viewer count. Jumping 72% on average in the L+7 Adult 18-49 ratings, "Nashville" has emerged as ABC's biggest percentage gainer this season and places in the Top 5 broadcast series overall. The ABC sophomore drama gets a much bigger playback lift than time-slot competitor "CSI" (72% vs. 50%), outdelivering the CBS drama in the finals at a 3.1 rating (vs. a 3.0 rating).

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 48% currently, from 46% 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), 10/30/13.