TV Ratings: 'Modern Family' Tops 'American Idol' in Wednesday Demo Race

ABC/PETER "HOPPER" STONE

Fox scored the best averages in adults 18-49 (3.8 rating) and total viewers (13.1 million) on Wednesday night -- though in slipping three-tenths of a point from last week's returns, American Idol's performance show was at another all-time low for the series and fell behind Modern Family (3.9 adults) in the demo for the first time ever. The two tied in head-to-head competition at 9 p.m., and final adjustments could alter the rankings, but it remains the closest match yet between the shows.

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CBS ranked second Wednesday in the demo (2.4 rating) and total viewers (9.8 million), starting with a boosted Survivor (2.6 adults). The series was up two-tenths of a point from last week ahead of an even Criminal Minds (2.6 adults) and a dipping CSI (1.8 adults). The latter was at a series low, down half a point from last week.

ABC started the night with The Middle (2.1 adults) and The Neighbors (1.7 adults), both off two-tenths from last week. Modern Family (3.9 adults) was down just a tenth of a point. Suburgatory (2.3 adults), the network's only gainer, was up three-tenths of a point from last week, while Nashville (1.6 adults) slipped two-tenths to a low. ABC averaged a 2.2 rating with adults 18-49 and 6.9 million viewers.

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On NBC, Whitney (1.2 adults) and Guys With Kids (1.1 adults) were both up by a tenth of a point from last week. Law & Order: SVU (1.6 adults) held its most recent rating before an even Chicago Fire (1.9 adults) won the 10 p.m. hour. NBC averaged a 1.6 rating with adults 18-49 and 5.2 million viewers.

Arrow (1.0 adults) was up by a tenth of a point on The CW, while Supernatural (0.9 adults) held even with last week. The network averaged a 0.9 adults rating and 2.7 million viewers.