TV ratings: 'X Factor' leads Wednesday as Miss Universe rises some

Fast National ratings for Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012

The final performances on "The X Factor" improved on last week's ratings and gave FOX an across-the-board win on a night dotted with reruns and specials.

NBC's broadcast of the Miss Universe pageant was up over last year, albeit only to a little over 6 million viewers. "Chicago Fire" improved significantly on its ratings from a week ago, rising half a point in adults 18-49.

FOX drew 8.3 million viewers and a 5.0 rating/8 share in households for the night. NBC (6.3 million, 4.1/7) came in second, beating out CBS (5.8 million, 3.8/6) and ABC (5.2 million, 3.5/6). The CW trailed with 1.6 million viewers and a 1.1/2.

FOX was the only network to score better than a 2.0 rating among adults 18-49, finishing with a 2.7. NBC finished second in the demographic with a 1.8. ABC was third at 1.5, followed by CBS, 1.1, and The CW, 0.3.

Wednesday hour by hour:

8 p.m.

FOX: "The X Factor" (8.2 million viewers, 4.9/8 households)
NBC: Special - "Miss Universe Pageant" (5.5 million, 3.7/6)
CBS: Special - "A Home for the Holidays" (5 million, 3.4/6)
ABC: "The Middle" rerun (5.4 million, 3.5/6)/"The Neighbors" rerun (4.1 million, 2.7/4)
The CW: Movie - "Noel" (1.7 million, 1.1/2)

18-49 leader: "The X Factor" (2.7)

9 p.m.

FOX: "The X Factor" (8.35 million, 5.0/8)
NBC: "Miss Universe Pageant" (6.7 million, 4.2/7)
CBS: "Criminal Minds" rerun (6.5 million, 4.2/7)
ABC: "Modern Family" rerun (5.75 million, 3./6)/Special - "The Year With Katie Couric" (4.9 million, 3.4/5)
The CW: "Noel" (1.5 million, 1.1/2)

18-49 leader: "The X Factor" (2.8)

10 p.m.

NBC: "Chicago Fire" (6.6 million, 4.3/7)
CBS: "CSI" rerun (3.8/6)
ABC: "The Year With Katie Couric" (5.6 million, 3.9/6)    

18-49 leader: "Chicago Fire" (1.9)

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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