ABC's "Modern Family" Marks its Closest Finish Ever to "Idol" in Adults 18-49

Opposite Fox's 2-hour American Idol during prime, ABC improved over the year-ago Wednesday for the 4th week in a row, scoring double-digit gains in both Total Viewers (+19%) and Adults 18-49 (+26%). In fact, ABC was the only major net to grow year to year on either Nielsen measure. The Network ran #2 to Fox on Wednesday with Adults 18-49, Adults 18-34 and key Women (W18-34/W18-49).

· ABC's Modern Family posted its most competitive finish ever against American Idol in Adults 18-49 (pacing within 1-tenth of a rating point of tying as the night's top show), while outperforming Idol by 18% in Adults 18-34 to rank as Wednesday's #1 TV show overall for the 3rd time in 4 weeks. The ABC comedy was also the night's #1 show for the 2nd week running with Women 18-34 and key Men (M18-34/M18-49).

· ABC's Wednesday numbers jumped week to week by 19% in Total Viewers and by 21% in Adults 18-49. In fact, the Net was up in each half-hour of the night over the week-ago Fast Affiliate ratings with viewers and young adults.

...more to come