Primetime Preliminary Fast National Nielsen Data
(includes all DVR playback through 3:00 am)

Here are the highlights of the 13 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night (10/21/20):

[Note: Fast affiliate ratings are inaccurate for live events.]

FOX (7.221 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.8, #1) remained on top on Wednesday with its coverage of the "World Series, Game 2" (7.221 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.8, #1).

ABC (3.550 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.7, #2) was the silver draw thanks to the return of "The Goldbergs" (4.363 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T4), another "The Goldbergs" (3.770 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T4), "The Conners" (4.763 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T2) and "Black-ish" (3.039 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T6) plus a new "The Con" (2.681 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.5, #9).

Next up was CBS (3.030 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.6, #3) with fresh installments of "Big Brother 22" (4.127 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T2) adn "The Amazing Race 32" (3.229 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T6) alongside a repeat "SWAT" (1.735 million viewers, #11; adults 18-49: 0.3, #11).

Meanwhile, NBC (2.843 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.5, #4) offered up the relocated "The Wall" (3.520 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T6) and "American Ninja Warrior" (2.505 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 0.4, #10).

And finally, The CW (0.732 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.1, #5) wrapped the night with its duo of "Devils" (0.699 million viewers, #13; adults 18-49: 0.1, #T12) and "Coroner" (0.765 million viewers, #12; adults 18-49: 0.1, #T12).

Week-to-week changes (adults 18-49):
+66.67% - The Con
+50.00% - The Wall (vs. 10/1/20)
0.00% - Coroner
0.00% - Devils
-10.00% - Big Brother 22
-14.29% - The Amazing Race 32
-33.33% - American Ninja Warrior (vs. 10/12/20)

Year-to-year changes (adults 18-49):
+80.00% - The Conners (vs. Modern Family (Repeat))
+14.29% - The Goldbergs - 8:30 (vs. Schooled)
0.00% - The Con (vs. Harry & Meghan: An African Journey)
0.00% - Black-ish (vs. Single Parents)
-11.11% - The Goldbergs - 8:00
-14.29% - The Amazing Race 32 (vs. SEAL Team)
-30.77% - Big Brother 22 (vs. Survivor: Island of the Idols)
-37.93% - World Series, Game 2
-50.00% - The Wall (vs. Chicago Med)
-50.00% - Coroner (vs. Nancy Drew)
-65.22% - American Ninja Warrior (vs. Chicago Fire/Chicago PD)
-66.67% - Devils (vs. Riverdale)

Here are the highlights of the 15 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (10/23/19):

[Note: Fast affiliate ratings are inaccurate for live events.]

FOX (11.776 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.9, #1) was still the network to beat on Wednesday with its telecast of the "World Series, Game 2" (11.776 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.9, #1).

Second place then went to NBC (7.392 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.2, #2) and its trio of "Chicago Med" (7.671 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.2, #T3), "Chicago Fire" (7.813 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.2, #T3) and "Chicago PD" (6.690 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 1.1, #5).

Next up was CBS (5.079 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.9, #3) with originals from "Survivor: Island of the Idols" (6.766 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.3, #2), "SEAL Team" (4.639 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T7) and "SWAT" (3.832 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T9).

Meanwhile, ABC (3.111 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.6, #4) opted for its mix of "The Goldbergs" (3.918 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.9, #6), "Schooled" (3.170 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T7), a repeat "Modern Family" (2.418 million viewers, #12; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T11), "Single Parents" (2.481 million viewers, #11; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T9) and the special "Harry & Meghan: An African Journey" (3.340 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T11).

And finally, The CW (0.858 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.2, #5) closed out the night with fresh installments from "Riverdale" (0.908 million viewers, #13; adults 18-49: 0.3, #13) and "Nancy Drew" (0.807 million viewers, #14; adults 18-49: 0.2, #14).

Week-to-week changes (adults 18-49):
+50.00% - Riverdale
+20.00% - SWAT
0.00% - SEAL Team
0.00% - Nancy Drew
-7.14% - Survivor: Island of the Idols
-7.69% - Chicago Fire
-10.00% - The Goldbergs
-12.50% - Schooled
-14.29% - Chicago Med
-14.29% - Single Parents
-21.43% - Chicago PD

Year-to-year changes (adults 18-49):
+3.57% - World Series, Game 2
-7.14% - Survivor: Island of the Idols
-7.69% - Chicago Fire
-7.69% - Chicago Med
-8.33% - Chicago PD
-12.50% - SEAL Team
-14.29% - SWAT (vs. Criminal Minds)
-30.77% - The Goldbergs
-33.33% - Nancy Drew (vs. All American)
-36.36% - Schooled (vs. American Housewife)
-37.50% - Harry & Meghan: An African Journey (vs. A Million Little Things)
-40.00% - Riverdale
-45.45% - Single Parents

In late-night metered market ratings (via NBC's press release):

TBA

Source: Nielsen Media Research