ABC's Suburgatory Earns Biggest Audience in 1 Year/The Middle Draws 2nd-Biggest-Ever Audience Against Idol/Modern Family and SFN Gain Viewers and Young Adults

The Middle (8-8:30pm - 8.7 million and 2.2/6 in AD18-49):

At 8pm, ABC's The Middle was up 8% in Total Viewers from its last original two weeks ago and held even with its preliminary Fast Affiliate Adult 18-49 rating, drawing the series' 2nd-biggest-ever audience against an American Idol telecast. The Middle stood as the #3 scripted show of the night in Adults 18-49, behind only Modern Family and Criminal Minds. The ABC comedy grew its overall audience from the same night last year by 6% (8.2 million on 2/6/13).

Suburgatory (8:30-9pm - 6.2 million and 1.7/5 in AD18-49):

At 8:30pm, Suburgatory was up by double digits week to week in Total Viewers (+22% - season-high) and Adults 18-49 (+13% - 2nd-highest number this season), posting its most-watched telecast in more than 1 year - since 1/9/13. In addition, Suburgatory improved over its year-ago telecast coming out of Modern Family by 9% in Total Viewers (5.7 million on 2/6/13).

Modern Family (9-9:30pm - 10.0 million and 3.5/9 in AD18-49):

Wednesday's dominant #1 scripted TV show with young adults, ABC's Modern Family was up from its last original two weeks ago in Total Viewers (+4%) and Adults 18-49 (+3%) to deliver its best numbers this season against American Idol. The ABC comedy was up over its year-ago telecast in Total Viewers (+2% - 9.8 million on 2/6/13).

Super Fun Night (9:30-10pm - 5.0 million and 1.6/4 in AD18-49):

In the 9:30pm half-hour, Super Fun Night shot up week to week by 32% in Total Viewers and by 23% in Adults 18-49, earning its most-watched telecast since early December - since 12/11/13.

Nashville (10-11pm - 5.1 million and 1.3/4 in AD18-49):

On average, Nashville is ABC's biggest percentage gainer in TV playback this season, shooting up 75% in Adults 18-49 (+1.2 rating points) from L+SD to L+7.

Quick Take for Wednesday, February 5, 2014 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

"The Middle" Draws its 2nd-Biggest-Ever Audience Opposite an "Idol" Telecast

Hitting a Season High, "Suburgatory" Earns its Most-Watched Telecast in 1 Year

Wednesday's Dominant No. 1 Scripted Show in Adults 18-49, "Modern Family," Grows to its Highest Numbers Against "American Idol" This Season

ABC's "Super Fun Night" Shoots Up 32% in Viewers and by 23% in Adults 18-49

"The Middle" (8:00-8:30 p.m. - 8.7 million and 2.2/6 in AD18-49):

At 8:00 p.m., "The Middle" was up 8% in Total Viewers from its last original two weeks ago and held even with its preliminary Fast Affiliate Adult 18-49 rating, drawing the series' 2nd-biggest-ever audience against an "American Idol" telecast. "The Middle" stood as the No. 3 scripted show of the night in Adults 18-49, behind only "Modern Family" and "Criminal Minds," respectively.

· The ABC comedy grew its overall audience from the same night last year by 6% (8.2 million on 2/6/13).

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

At 8:30 p.m., ABC's "Suburgatory" built by double digits week to week in Total Viewers (+22% - season-high) and Adults 18-49 (+13% - 2nd-highest number this season), marking its most-watched telecast in more than 1 year - since 1/9/13.

· "Suburgatory" improved over its year-ago telecast coming out of "Modern Family" by 9% in Total Viewers (5.7 million on 2/6/13).

"Modern Family" (9:00-9:30 p.m. - 10.0 million and 3.5/9 in AD18-49):

Wednesday's dominant No. 1 scripted TV show with young adults, ABC's "Modern Family" was up from its last original two weeks ago in Total Viewers (+4%) and Adults 18-49 (+3%) to deliver its best numbers this season against "American Idol."

· The ABC comedy was up over its year-ago telecast in Total Viewers (+2% - 9.8 million on 2/6/13).

"Super Fun Night" (9:30-10:00 p.m. - 5.0 million and 1.6/4 in AD18-49):

In the 9:30 p.m. half-hour, "Super Fun Night" shot up week to week by 32% in Total Viewers and by 23% in Adults 18-49, earning its most-watched telecast since early December - since 12/11/13.

"Nashville" (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 5.1 million and 1.3/4 in AD18-49):

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 02/05/14.