The season finale for CBS' 'Criminal Minds' enjoyed a considerable boost Wednesday night, while ABC suffered a series of lows and Fox took a decisive if predictable win with "American Idol," according to preliminary numbers.
Fox easily took first place in ratings and total viewers with an average 4.8 rating/14 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and 17.3 million total viewers. The network ran "American Idol" from 8 to 10, which rose 7 percent from last week's episode.
CBS took second place in ratings and total viewers with an average 2.7/8 in the demo and 10.4 million total viewers. The network ran repeats with the exception of the "Criminal Minds" season finale at 9, which grew 21 percent in the demo for a 3.5/10 and drew 13.5 million total viewers.
ABC came in third in ratings and total viewers with an average 2.3/6 in the demo and 6.6 million total viewers. The network saw declines across the board, save for "The Middle" at 8, which nonetheless tied for a series low in the demo with a 1.9/6, and took 6.5 million total viewers.
The "Suburgatory" finale at 8:30 dropped 14 percent in the demo from last week for a 1.8/6 — its lowest demo performance to date — and received 5.4 million total viewers. "Modern Family" at 9 dipped 11 percent in the demo to a season low of 3.9/11, and drew 9.3 million total viewers.
"Don't Trust the B—- in Apt. 23" at 9:30 was also down, dropping 13 percent in the demo to tie a low of 2.3/6, with 4.8 million total viewers. "Revenge" at 10 dropped 9 percent in the demo for its lowest showing to date, a 2.0/5, and received 6.8 million total viewers.
Univision took fourth place in ratings and fifth in total viewers with an average 1.5/4 in the demo and 3.8 million. "Una Familia Con Suerte" at 8 drew a 1.5/5 in the demo and 3.6 million total viewers, while "Abismo de Pasion" the following hour posted a 1.5/4 in the demo and 3.7 million total viewers. "La Que No Podia Amar" at 10 received a 1.6/4 in the demo and 4 million total viewers.
NBC came in fifth in the demo and fourth in total viewers with an average 1.3/4 and 4.5 million. "Betty White's Off Their Rockers" at 8 posted a 1.4/5 in the demo and 5.1 million total viewers, while a second episode at 8:30 drew a 1.5/5 and 5.4 million total viewers. Following a "Law & Order: SVU" repeat at 9, an original airing of the series drew a 1.7/5 and 5.5 million total viewers.