Nearly all broadcast series were down from their last originals on Wednesday night, though fast affiliate ratings give a demo advantage to CBS -- the most steady of the big four.
Heading into its finale, Survivor (2.8 adults 18-49 rating) was down just a tenth of a point. Criminal Minds (3.1 adults), up a tenth from last week, was one of the night's lone growers. At 10 p.m., CSI (2.2 adults) was off 15 percent from two weeks ago for a series low -- though it eked past ABC's Barbara Walters special for a win in the hour. The network averaged a 2.7 rating with 18-49-ers and 10.5 million viewers.
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The X Factor was also down from last week, dropping seven percent in the demo to a 2.6 adults rating. In total viewers, the Fox series averaged 7.7 million.
A slightly atypical Wednesday saw The Middle (2.2 adults) and Neighbors (1.6 adults) dip to series lows on ABC. The comedies fell a respective four and 16 percent. Modern Family was also down (11 percent), tying its season low of a 4.2 with adults 18-49. The rating still gave it a clear advantage over all other originals of the night. From 9:30 to 11 p.m., the annual Barbara Walters Presents: 10 Most Fascinating People pulled a 2.1 adults rating. That's two tenths of a point shy of last year. ABC averaged 7.8 million viewers and a 2.4 in the key demo.
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Whitney grew on NBC. The comedy was up eight percent to a 1.4 adults rating ahead of a Guys With Kids encore. That anemic lead-in did not do Howie Mandel's Take It All any favors. On its third night, the game show fell 50 percent without its Voice boost. Chicago Fire, at a low, was down 26 percent to a 1.4 adults rating. The network averaged a 1.2 adults rating and 3.8 million viewers.
Arrow, at a season low, was down nine percent to a 1.0 rating with adults 18-49. Adding a special encore of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show (0.7 adults), The CW netted a 0.8 in the demo and 2.4 million viewers.
Univision had a 1.5 rating with adults 18-49.
