TV Ratings: ABC's 'Modern Family' Beats World Series in Key Demo

Peter Hopper Stone/ABC

According to preliminary numbers, ABC's Modern Family beat the MLB World Series game between the Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demo. If those numbers hold true, it's the second year in a row the ABC comedy will have topped the first game of the World Series in the demo.

our editor recommends

'Glee,' 'Modern Family' win Peabodys

'Happy Endings' scores ratings high, retains more 'Modern Family' lead-in

Modern Family rated a 5.6 with 12.8 million viewers, while early indications are that the World Series game rated a 3.9 with 12.9 million viewers.  Still, Fox, which aired the game live during primetime, won the night overall -- and likely led to Modern Family dipping a slight 5 percent.

ABC and CBS tied in second with a 3.3 rating.

PHOTOS: On the Set of 'Modern Family'

ABC's The Middle (2.9, 9 million) and Suburgatory (3.1, 8.8 million) were flat. Happy Endings was down 6 percent (3.0, 6.9 million) and Revenge, down 7 percent (2.5, 7.9 million).

CBS' Survivor: South Pacific was up 3 percent (3.3, 11.1 million), as was Criminal Minds (3.9, 13.1 million). CSI was flat with a 2.6 (10.6 million).

PHOTOS: Fall TV Preview 2011: The Returning Shows

NBC came in third place with a 1.7 rating. Up All Night (2.1, 5.6 million), Harry's Law (1.2, 8.1 million) and Law & Order (2.1, 7.5 million) were all flat.

Univision rated a 1.5

The CW was in fifth with a 0.6. A repeat of Sarah Michelle Gellar's Ringer was up 13 percent in total viewers from last week with 1.2 million (and a 0.4 rating). America's Next Top Model (0.8, 1.9 million) out-rated NBC in the 18 to 34 demo in the 9 to 10 p.m. hour.

VIDEO: Emmy Roundtable: Comedy Actresses

Telemundo came in last with a 0.5.

Below, networks ranked by demo.

Fox - 3.9, 12.9 million (preliminary numbers)
- World Series: 3.9, 12.9 million

ABC - 3.3, 8.9 million  
- The Middle:  2.9, 9 million
- Suburgatory:  3.1, 8.8 million
- Modern Family:  5.6, 12.8 million   
- Happy Endings:  3.0, 6.9 million       
- Revenge:  2.5, 8 million

CBS - 3.3, 11.6 million
- Survivor: South Pacific:  3.3, 11.1 million  
- Criminal Minds:  3.9, 13.1 million   
- CSI:  2.6, 10.6 million     

NBC - 1.7, 6.9 million
- Up All Night:  2.1, 5.6 million    
- Whitney (RS):  1.2, 4.1 million
- Harry's Law:  1.2, 8.1 million
- Law & Order: SVU:  2.1, 7.6 million

CW - 0.6, 1.6 million
- Ringer, 0.4 1.2 million
- America's Next Top Model: 0.8, 1.9 million