'American Idol' Powers Fox to Wednesday Ratings Win

Michael Becker/ FOX

A number of series saw ratings increases Wednesday -- but American Idol still won the night for Fox.

American Idol's Top 11 performance scored a 7.7 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 23.5 million viewers, up 1 percent from last Wednesday in the demo, and 4 percent in total viewers. In the second half hour, total viewers increased 30 percent.

The series continues to hold its own with new judges this season. On average, it has retained 93 percent of its audience in the 18-49 demo, and 99 percent of total viewers.

CBS was second with Survivor: Redemption Island  (3.0, 10.8 million) down 6 percent, for a series low. A rerun of Criminal Minds averaged a 2.1 rating with 8.7 million viewers and a new episode of Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior scored a 2.2 rating with 8.9 million, but was down 12 percent, tying as its series low.

ABC was third. The Middle (2.0, 7.3 million) was down 13 percent versus its last original on March 2, for a season low. Modern Family (4.3, 10.8 million) was up two percent and Matthew Perry's Mr. Sunshine (2.2, 5.9 million) was up 22 percent from last week, but down 8 percent from its season average. Shonda Rhimes' Off The Map (1.5, 4.5 million) was up 15 percent.

Univision again beat NBC for the night in the demo, averaging a 1.7 rating with 4.2 million viewers.

NBC ranked fifth Wednesday with Minute to Win It (1.2, 4.2 million) up 20 percent from its March 16 episode. A rerun of Law & Order: SVU sunk to a 1.1 rating with 4 million. But a new episode, guest starring Rose McGowan (watch a clip), averaged a 2.6 rating with 8.7 million viewers, up eight percent compared to its last original in that time slot, Feb. 23.
 
The CW was last with America's Next Top Model (1.0, 2.2 million) and Shedding for the Wedding (.4, 968,000).