ABC's "Modern Family" Equals a 4-Month High as Wednesday's #1 TV Show/"Mixology" Spikes 42% to Tie a Series High

Building over its last original two weeks ago to tie its highest rating since November, ABC's Modern Family stood as Wednesday's #1 TV show for its 4th straight first-run telecast in Adults 18-49, outdelivering Fox's American Idol by a best-ever 67% (3.5/10 vs. 2.1/6).

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

At 8pm, ABC's The Middle tied American Idol for the first time ever and held even with its last original Fast Affiliate rating in Adults 18-49 (1.9/7 on 3/12/14). In addition, The Middle was up 6% from its year-ago original (1.8/6 on 3/27/13).

Suburgatory (8:30-9pm - 4.9 million and 1.4/4 in AD18-49):

At 8:30pm, Suburgatory also held steady with its last original Fast Affiliate Adult 18-49 rating (1.4/5 on 3/12/14).

Modern Family (9-9:30pm - 9.7 million and 3.5/10 in AD18-49):

More than doubling its Adult 18-49 lead-in at 9pm (+150%), ABC's Modern Family won its half-hour by 67% over American Idol. The ABC comedy was up (+3%) from its last original to match a more than 4-month high in Adults 18-49 - since 11/13/13. In addition, Modern Family grew 9% in Adults 18-49 over its telecast on the same night last year (3.2/9 on 3/27/13).

Mixology (9:30-10pm - 4.9 million and 1.7/5 in AD18-49):

In the 9:30pm half-hour, ABC's Mixology jumped 42% in Adults 18-49 week to week and matched a series high.

Nashville (10-11pm - 5.1 million and 1.3/4 in AD18-49):

During the 10pm hour, Nashville ranked #1 in Adults 18-49 (tie) and key Women (W18-34/W18-49). On average, Nashville is ABC's top percentage gainer this season via TV Playback and Top 5 among all broadcast series, with originals shooting up 80% from a 1.5 L+SD rating to a 2.7 Live + 7 Day Adult 18-49 rating.

Quick Take for Wednesday, March 26, 2014 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

Up Year to Year, "The Middle" Ties "Idol" in Adults 18-49 for the First Time Ever

"Suburgatory" Holds Steady with its Last Original Airing Two Weeks Ago

Wednesday's Dominant No. 1 TV Show in Adults 18-49, "Modern Family" Is Up Over its Last Original to Equal its Highest Rating Since Mid-November

"Mixology" Spikes 42% Week to Week to Match a Series High in Adults 18-49

ABC's "Nashville" Ranks No. 1 in the 10pm Hour in Adults 18-49 and Key Women

ABC Wednesday Prime (8:00-11:00 p.m. - 6.1 million and 1.8/6 in AD18-49):

Building over its last original two weeks ago to tie its highest rating since mid-November, ABC's "Modern Family" stood as Wednesday's No. 1 TV show for its 4th straight first-run telecast in Adults 18-49, outdelivering Fox's "American Idol" by a best-ever 67% (3.5/10 vs. 2.1/6). The ABC comedy also drew more overall Total Viewers on the night than "Idol" for the first time ever (9.7 million vs. 9.1 million).

"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" tied "American Idol" for the first time ever and held even with its last original Fast Affiliate rating in Adults 18-49 (1.9/7 on 3/12/14). In addition, "The Middle" was up 6% from its year-ago original airing (1.8/6 on 3/27/13).

"Suburgatory" (8:30-9:00 p.m. - 4.9 million and 1.4/4 in AD18-49):

At 8:30 p.m., "Suburgatory" also held steady with its last original Fast Affiliate Adult 18-49 rating (1.4/5 on 3/12/14).

"Modern Family" (9:00-9:30 p.m. - 9.7 million and 3.5/10 in AD18-49):

More than doubling its Adult 18-49 lead-in at 9:00 p.m. (+150%), ABC's "Modern Family" won its half-hour by 67% over "American Idol" (3.5/10 vs. 2.1/6). The ABC comedy was up (+3%) from its last original to match a more than 4-month high in Adults 18-49 - since 11/13/13. In addition, "Modern Family" grew 9% in Adults 18-49 over its telecast on the same night last year (3.2/9 on 3/27/13).

"Mixology" (9:30-10:00 p.m. - 4.9 million and 1.7/5 in AD18-49):

In the 9:30 p.m. half-hour, ABC's "Mixology" jumped 42% in Adults 18-49 week to week and matched a series high.

"Nashville" (10:00-11:00 p.m. - 5.1 million and 1.3/4 in AD18-49):

During the 10 o'clock hour, ABC's "Nashville" ranked No. 1 in Adults 18-49 (tie) and key Women (W18-34/W18-49). On average, "Nashville" is ABC's top percentage gainer this season via TV Playback and Top 5 among all broadcast series with originals shooting up 80% from a 1.5 L+SD rating to a 2.7 Live + 7 Day Adult 18-49 rating.

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 03/26/14.