TV ratings: 'Modern Family,' 'Criminal Minds' lead Wednesday, 'Top Model' finale rises

Fast national ratings for Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011

Wednesday's ratings followed their usual pattern -- "Modern Family" was the top show in adults 18-49, and CBS ended up with the most viewers for the night -- but for the most part scripted shows were a little bit off their averages for the season.

"The X Factor" was down some from last week, and "I Hate My Teenage Daughter" fell too, but the finale of "America's Next Top Model" scored the show's best numbers of the season for The CW.

CBS averaged 11.6 million viewers and a 7.3 rating/11 share in households in primetime to grab the top spot. FOX (9.3 million, 5.5/8) beat out ABC (8.35 million, 5.5/8) for second overall. NBC took fourth with 6.1 million viewers and a 4.1/6. The CW (1.6 million, 1.3/2) brought up the rear.

ABC and CBS tied for the lead among adults 18-49, each scoring a 3.0. FOX was right behind at 2.9. NBC scored a 1.5 in the demo and The CW a 0.8.

Wednesday hour by hour:

8 p.m.

CBS: "Survivor: South Pacific" (11.5 million viewers, 7.1/11 households)
FOX: "The X Factor" (10.4 million, 6.2/9)
ABC: "The Middle" (8.8 million, 5.4/9)/"Suburgatory" (8 million, 5.0/8)
NBC: "Up All Night" (5 million, 3.2/5)/"Up All Night" rerun (3.8 million, 2.5/4)
The CW: "America's Next Top Model" rerun (1.3 million, 0.9/1)

18-49 leader: "Survivor" and "The X Factor" tied at 3.2

9 p.m.

CBS: "Criminal Minds" (12.3 million, 7.8/12)
ABC: "Modern Family" (12.1 million, 7.4/11)/"Happy Endings" (6.5 million, 4.2/6)
FOX: "The X Factor" (10.8 million, 6.2/9)/"I Hate My Teenage Daughter" (5.4 million, 3.2/5)
NBC: "Harry's Law" (7 million, 4.6/7)
The CW: "America's Next Top Model" finale (2.35 million, 1.7/2)

18-49 leader: "Modern Family" (5.0)

10 p.m.

CBS: "CSI" (11.1 million, 7.1/11)
ABC: "Revenge" (7.3 million, 5.1/8)
NBC: "Law & Order: SVU" (6.9 million, 4.9/8)

18-49 leader: "CSI" (2.5)

Ratings information includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change. Source: The Nielsen Company.

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