Ratings: ‘People’s Choice Awards’ Inches Up; ABC Wins With ‘Modern Family’

Despite dip in key demo, "Law & Order: SVU" hits a season high in total viewers

Thie 'People's Choice Awards' inched up from last year's presentation on Wednesday night, but ABC took the night thanks largely to "Modern Family," which grew after a month-long break and took the night's top ratings, according to preliminary numbers.

ABC grabbed first place in the advertiser-sought 18-49 demographic with a 2.6 rating/7 share and second in total viewers with 7.6 million. Its Wednesday primetime slate grew across the board, starting with "The Middle" at 8 p.m. It returned from a month off with a 14 percent improvement, posting a 2.4/7. It also grabbed 8.4 million total viewers. "Neighbors" at 8:30 jumped 25 percent for a 2.0/6 and had 6.6 million total viewers, while "Modern Family" at 9 was the night's top-rated and most-watched show, climbing 12 percent in the demo for a 4.7/12 and drawing 12 million total viewers. "Suburgatory" at 9:30 jumped 23 percent for a 2.7/7 with 7 million total viewers, while "Nashville" at 10 inched up to a 2.0/6 and had 5.8 million total viewers.

CBS drew second place in ratings and first in total viewers with a 2.4/6 and 9 million. Following the reality special "I Get That a Lot" at 8, which dropped 13 percent from last year's airing for a 2.0/6 and took 7.8 million total viewers, "People's Choice Awards" at 9 posted a 2.6/7 — up marginally from last year's airing — and drew 9.6 million total viewers.

NBC, which came in third in ratings and total viewers with a 1.9/5 and 6.8 million, suffered hits across the board, especially with its comedies. "Whitney" at 8 dropped 22 percent from last week for a 1.4/4 and had 4.2 million total viewers, while "Guys With Kids" at 8:30 fell 24 percent to a 1.3/4 and drew 4 million total viewers. "Law & Order: SVU" dipped to a 2.1/5 and attracted 8.3 million total viewers — a season high in total viewers — while "Chicago Fire" also inched down from last week, posting a 2.2/6 with 8 million total viewers.

Univision came in fourth in ratings and total viewers with a 1.8/5 and 4.2 million.

Fox, which took fifth place in ratings and total viewers with a 1.3/4 and 3.4 million, aired the special "Stars in Danger" throughout primetime.

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