Jimmy Kimmel beats Jay Leno for first time
by James Hibberd
For the first time ever within the regular TV season, Jimmy Kimmel topped Jay Leno among adults 18-49. This ratings win actually happened last week, but we’re just telling you now because Nielsen collects accurate late-night ratings via stagecoach or something and they take awhile to be released. Despite airing in a later time period, Kimmel edged out Leno by 4 percent last Thursday.
Anyway, back to our usual next-day focus. Wednesday night: CBS’ two-hour Criminal Minds finale blowout was not only up 21 percent from last week, but also improved upon the drama’s finale last year — a rare claim nowadays.
Minds delivered 13.5 million viewers and a 3.5 rating in the adult demo Wednesday evening. Yet it was Fox’s American Idol (17.3 million, 4.8) that won the night. This was Idol‘s Top 3 performance show, so we’re in the final lap here.
ABC’s lineup was soft, with flagship Modern Family (9.3 million, 3.9) down 11 percent to a season low. The Middle (6.5 million, 1.9), Suburgatory finale (5.4 million, 1.8), Don’t Trust the B— (4.8 million, 2.0) and Revenge (6.8 million, 2.0) were also weaker than usual.
by James Hibberd
For the first time ever within the regular TV season, Jimmy Kimmel topped Jay Leno among adults 18-49. This ratings win actually happened last week, but we’re just telling you now because Nielsen collects accurate late-night ratings via stagecoach or something and they take awhile to be released. Despite airing in a later time period, Kimmel edged out Leno by 4 percent last Thursday.
Anyway, back to our usual next-day focus. Wednesday night: CBS’ two-hour Criminal Minds finale blowout was not only up 21 percent from last week, but also improved upon the drama’s finale last year — a rare claim nowadays.
Minds delivered 13.5 million viewers and a 3.5 rating in the adult demo Wednesday evening. Yet it was Fox’s American Idol (17.3 million, 4.8) that won the night. This was Idol‘s Top 3 performance show, so we’re in the final lap here.
ABC’s lineup was soft, with flagship Modern Family (9.3 million, 3.9) down 11 percent to a season low. The Middle (6.5 million, 1.9), Suburgatory finale (5.4 million, 1.8), Don’t Trust the B— (4.8 million, 2.0) and Revenge (6.8 million, 2.0) were also weaker than usual.
