nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for wednesday, february 16, 2011)

Here are the highlights of the 14 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night:

FOX (22.84 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 8.1, #1) was the network to beat on Wednesday with its newly expanded two-hour "American Idol" (22.84 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 8.1, #1).

CBS (12.30 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 3.2, #2) then claimed the silver with the bow of "Survivor: Redemption Island" (11.17 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 3.2, #T4) followed by a new "Criminal Minds" (12.83 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 3.2, #T4) and the launch of "Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior" (12.91 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 3.3, #3).

Next up was ABC (6.67 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 2.3, #3) and its mix of "The Middle" (7.96 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 2.3, #7), "Better With You" (5.86 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 1.8, #9), "Modern Family" (10.54 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 4.3, #2), "Mr. Sunshine" (7.01 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 2.6, #6) and "Off the Map" (4.33 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 1.5, #10).

Meanwhile, NBC (4.85 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.4, #4) offered up "Minute to Win It #1" (3.84 million viewers, #11; adults 18-49: 1.1, #11), "Minute to Win It #2" (3.45 million viewers, #12; adults 18-49: 1.0, #12) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (7.25 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 2.2, #8).

And finally, repeats of "Nikita" (1.32 million viewers, #13; adults 18-49: 0.4, #13) and "The Vampire Diaries" (0.79 million viewers, #14; adults 18-49: 0.3, #14) on The CW (1.06 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.3, #5) rounded out the night.

Week-to-week changes (adults 18-49): American Idol (-2.40%), Better With You (-10.00%), The Middle (-11.50%), Criminal Minds (-13.50%), Modern Family (-14.00%), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (-15.40%), Minute to Win It #1 (-15.40%), Off the Map (-21.10%), Mr. Sunshine (-29.70%), Minute to Win It #2 (-56.50%).

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

In Nielsen's 56 metered markets, household results were: "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," 2.9/8; CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman," 2.8/7; and ABC's combo of "Nightline," 2.9/7; and "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 1.3/4.

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, adult 18-49 results were: "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," 0.9/4; "Late Show," 0.8/4; "Nightline," 1.0/4; and "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 0.6/3.

At 12:35 a.m., "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" (1.4/5 in metered-market households) tied CBS's "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (1.4/5). In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Late Night" (0.6/4 in 18-49) topped "Late Late Show" (0.4/3).

At 1:35 a.m., Last Call with Carson Daly" averaged a 0.8/4 in metered-market households and a 0.4/3 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.

Here are the highlights of the 15 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (2/17/10):

NBC (29.26 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 8.9, #1) returned to the top spot on Wednesday with its "Winter Olympics 2010 (29.26 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 8.9, #1) coverage.

FOX (12.78 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 4.5, #2) then had to settle for second place with new episodes of "Human Target" (7.14 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 2.1, #3) and "American Idol" (18.42 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 6.9, #2).

Next up was CBS (6.87 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.8, #3) with its all-repeat lineup of "The New Adventures of Old Christine" (4.91 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 1.4, #T9), "Gary Unmarried" (4.43 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 1.4, #T9), "Criminal Minds" (7.96 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.9, #5) and "CSI: NY" (7.99 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 2.0, #4).

Meanwhile, ABC (3.86 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.5, #4) offered up its mix of "Modern Family" (5.09 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 1.7, #T6), "The Middle" (4.66 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 1.7, #T6), another "Modern Family" (4.37 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 1.7, #T6), another "The Middle" (3.20 million viewers, #11; adults 18-49: 1.2, #12), "Cougar Town" (3.14 million viewers, #12; adults 18-49: 1.4, #T9) and another "Cougar Town" (2.70 million viewers, #13; adults 18-49: 1.1, #13).

And finally, repeats of "Life Unexpected" (1.34 million viewers, #14; adults 18-49: 0.6, #14) and "Gossip Girl" (0.61 million viewers, #15; adults 18-49: 0.3, #15) on The CW (0.98 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.4, #5) rounded out the evening.

Source: Nielsen Media Research