Sometimes all you need is family.
That’s what ABC banked on Wednesday, earning a TV ratings victory in the key 18-49 demographic thanks to “Modern Family,” “The Goldbergs,” “black-ish” and “Speechless.” Of course, it didn’t hurt that Fox’s “Empire” is still out on hiatus.
The Disney-owned broadcaster settled for third place, however, among overall viewers. That top audience trophy went to CBS last night.
ABC was first in ratings with a 1.7 rating/6 share in the advertiser-coveted demo, but third in total viewers with an average of 5.8 million, according to preliminary numbers. “The Goldbergs” at 8 p.m. posted a 1.9/7 and 6.9 million viewers. At 8:30, “Speechless” received a 1.7/6 and 5.9 million viewers. “Modern Family” at 9 scored a 2.3/8 and 7.6 million viewers. At 9:30, “black-ish” put up a 1.7/6 and 5.8 million viewers. “Match Game” at 10 filled out primetime with a 1.1/4 and 4.2 million viewers.
Fox was second in ratings with a 1.4/5, but fourth in total viewers with 5.4 million. “Lethal Weapon” at 8 had a 1.4/5 and 6.4 million viewers. At 9, “Star” matched its lead-in rating/share, but dipped to 4.3 million viewers.
NBC was third in ratings with a 1.3/5 and second in total viewers with 5.9 million. “Blindspot” at 8 received a 1.0/4 and 5.1 million viewers. At 9, “Law & Order: SVU” had a 1.4/5 and 6.1 million viewers. “Chicago PD” at 10 continued that upward trend, pulling in a 1.5/5 and 6.6 million viewers. NBC aired NBA basketball in the Portland market last night.
CBS was fourth in ratings with a 1.1/4, but first in viewers with 6.6 million. “Undercover Boss” at 8 got a 1.1/4 and 6.1 million viewers. “Criminal Minds” at 9 landed a 1.4/5 and 7.5 million viewers. “Code Black” at 10 close CBS prime to a 0.9/3 and 6.3 million viewers.
Univision and Telemundo tied for fifth in ratings, both with a 0.7/2. Univision was fifth in total viewers with 1.9 million, Telemundo was sixth with 1.8 million.
The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.2/1 and in viewers with 779,000. Following a rerun, “Frequency” at 9 managed a 0.2/1 and 753,000 viewers.