ABC's "Modern Family" Is Wednesdays #1 TV Show/"Suburgatory" Spikes 21%/"Mixology" Retains 94% of Debut/"Nashville" Grows to Best Number Since January

For the 2nd week in a row, ABC delivered Wednesday's #1 TV show in Adults 18-49, with Modern Family (3.3/9) increasing its lead over runner-up Fox's American Idol to 22% (2.7/8), up from a 15% advantage the prior week.

The Middle (8-8:30pm - 7.1 million and 1.9/6 in AD18-49):

At 8pm, ABC's The Middle grew by 12% week to week in Adults 18-49.

Suburgatory (8:30-9pm - 5.6 million and 1.7/5 in AD18-49):

At 8:30pm like its lead-in, Suburgatory shot up 21% in Adults 18-49 to equal its 2nd-highest number this season. In fact, the ABC comedy was the biggest week-to-week gainer on the broadcast nets.

Modern Family (9-9:30pm - 9.0 million and 3.3/9 in AD18-49):

Nearly doubling its Adult 18-49 lead-in at 9pm (+94%), ABC's Modern Family dominated its half-hour and gained 6% over the prior week.

Mixology (9:30-10pm - 4.5 million and 1.6/4 in AD18-49):

In the 9:30pm half-hour, ABC's Mixology retained a strong 94% of its week-ago debut in Adults 18-49.

Nashville (10-11pm - 4.8 million and 1.4/4 in AD18-49):

During the 10pm hour, Nashville increased 8% over the prior week in Adults 18-49 to match its best number since January - since 1/29/14. In addition, the ABC sophomore drama jumped 20% in Adults 25-54, tying a 13-week high - since 12/4/13. Nashville is ABC's top percentage gainer this season via TV Playback, with originals spiking by 69% on average from L+SD to L+7 to average a 2.7 Adult 18-49 in the finals.

Quick Take for Wednesday, March 5, 2014 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

ABC's "The Middle" Grows by 12% Week to Week Among Adults 18-49

"Suburgatory" Spikes 21% in Adults 18-49 to Equal its 2nd-Best Rating this Season

Wednesday's No. 1 TV Show for the 2nd Week in a Row, "Modern Family," is Up And Increases its Winning Advantage Over Runner-Up "Idol" to 22% in Adults 18-49

"Mixology" Retains a Strong 94% of its Week-Earlier Series Debut in Adults 18-49

"Nashville" Gains 8% to Equal its Strongest Adult 18-49 Number Since January

ABC Wednesday Prime (8:00-11:00 p.m. - 6.0 million and 1.9/6 in AD18-49):

For the 2nd week in a row, ABC delivered Wednesday's No. 1 TV show in Adults 18-49, with "Modern Family" (3.3/9) increasing its lead over runner-up Fox's "American Idol" to 22% (2.7/8), up from a 15% advantage the prior week.

"The Middle" (8:00-8:30 p.m. - 7.1 million and 1.9/6 in AD18-49):

At 8:00 p.m., ABC's "The Middle" grew by 12% week to week in Adults 18-49.

"Suburgatory" (8:30-9:00 p.m. - 5.6 million and 1.7/5 in AD18-49):

At 8:30 p.m., "Suburgatory" shot up 21% in Adults 18-49 to equal its 2nd-highest number this season. In fact, the ABC comedy was the biggest week-to-week gainer on the broadcast nets.

"Modern Family" (9:00-9:30 p.m. - 9.0 million and 3.3/9 in AD18-49):

Nearly doubling its Adult 18-49 lead-in at 9:00 p.m. (+94%), ABC's "Modern Family" gained 6% over the prior week and dominated its half-hour.

"Mixology" (9:30-10:00 p.m. - 4.5 million and 1.6/4 in AD18-49):

In the 9:30 p.m. half-hour, ABC's "Mixology" retained a strong 94% of its week-ago debut in Adults 18-49.

"Nashville" (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 4.8 million and 1.4/4 in AD18-49):

During the 10:00 p.m. hour, "Nashville" increased 8% over the prior week in Adults 18-49 to match its best number since January - since 1/29/14. In addition, the ABC sophomore drama jumped 20% in Adults 25-54, tying a 13-week high - since 12/4/13. "Nashville" is ABC's top percentage gainer this season via TV Playback, with originals spiking by 69% on average from L+SD to L+7 to average a 2.7 Adult 18-49 in the finals.

A note about increasing DVR penetration and year-to-year rating comparisons: Year-to-year rating comparisons based on the Live + Same Day data stream are distorted by the level of DVR penetration in the Nielsen sample, which has jumped up to 49% currently, from 47% at the same point in 2013. More viewers are watching shows on their own timetables, which may not be reflected in the overnight next day numbers. The only truly valid year-to-year comparison would be one based on the Live + 7 Day metric, once those stats are released by Nielsen.

Source: The Nielsen Company, Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings for 03/05/14.