But what about the ratings trends for individual shows?
After the first eight weeks of the season, ABC’s Modern Family leads all shows in both adults 18-49 ratings points gained (1.7), and percentage increase (39%) vs. their average ratings last season at this point, followed by Glee, The Middle, Dancing With The Stars and Castle.
On the loser side of the equation, CSI:NY, House, Medium and CSI:Miami trail the pack.
Of course, lots of these shows have changed timeslots which can have a major impact on their ratings. Last year’s similar posts didn’t include timeslot changers or unscripted shows, but I decided to pile everybody into this years’ lists. The averages used in this list include both new and repeat episodes, but for most shows their new/repeat pattern was similar to last season.
You can also check out the same show by show comparison after 4 weeks of this season.
Why didn’t I include the actual ratings themselves? Sadly, Nielsen frowns on lists longer than 25 items with their ratings in them. Percentages and ratings changes, not so much!
Note that the list contains only shows that were in the FALL lineups in both seasons (Chuck, Parenthood and other shows that began in the SPRING are not in this list).
| Show | Net | % Change | Adults 18-49 Rating Points Gained/(Lost) |
| MODERN FAMILY | ABC | 39% | 1.7 |
| GLEE | FOX | 38% | 1.5 |
| MIDDLE, THE | ABC | 25% | 0.6 |
| DANCING WITH THE STARS | ABC | 18% | 0.7 |
| CASTLE | ABC | 14% | 0.4 |
| DANCING W/STARS RESULTS | ABC | 13% | 0.4 |
| FOOTBALL NT AMERICA PT 3 | NBC | 8% | 0.3 |
| SUNDAY NIGHT NFL PRE-KICK | NBC | 7% | 0.4 |
| NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL | NBC | 5% | 0.4 |
| HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER | CBS | 5% | 0.2 |
| TWO AND A HALF MEN | CBS | 4% | 0.2 |
| AMAZING RACE 17/15 | CBS | 3% | 0.1 |
| NCIS: LOS ANGELES | CBS | 2% | 0.1 |
| CRIMINAL MINDS | CBS | 2% | 0.1 |
| SURVIVOR: NICARAGUA/SAMOA | CBS | 0% | 0.0 |
| SMALLVILLE | CW | 0% | 0.0 |
| SUPERNATURAL | CW | 0% | 0.0 |
| NCIS | CBS | -2% | -0.1 |
| GOOD WIFE, THE | CBS | -3% | -0.1 |
| FOOTBALL NT AMERICA PT 2 | NBC | -5% | -0.1 |
| BIG BANG THEORY, THE | CBS | -5% | -0.3 |
| BONES | FOX | -6% | -0.2 |
| LAW AND ORDER:SVU | NBC | -6% | -0.2 |
| 48 HOURS MYSTERY | CBS | -7% | -0.1 |
| COPS | FOX | -7% | -0.1 |
| COUGAR TOWN | ABC | -8% | -0.3 |
| CSI | CBS | -9% | -0.4 |
| OT, THE | FOX | -9% | -0.5 |
| SAT NIGHT FOOTBALL | ABC | -10% | -0.2 |
| 60 MINUTES | CBS | -10% | -0.3 |
| AMERICA’S TOP MODEL-9/7 | CW | -11% | -0.2 |
| MENTALIST, THE | CBS | -12% | -0.5 |
| AMW: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK | FOX | -12% | -0.2 |
| COPS 2 | FOX | -12% | -0.2 |
| FAMILY GUY | FOX | -12% | -0.6 |
| OFFICE | NBC | -13% | -0.7 |
| SIMPSONS | FOX | -13% | -0.6 |
| BROTHERS & SISTERS | ABC | -14% | -0.5 |
| VAMPIRE DIARIES | CW | -14% | -0.3 |
| DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES | ABC | -15% | -0.8 |
| 20/20-FRI | ABC | -16% | -0.3 |
| SAT NIGHT FTBL PRE-GAME | ABC | -17% | -0.2 |
| FRINGE | FOX | -17% | -0.5 |
| 30 ROCK | NBC | -17% | -0.6 |
| DATELINE FRI | NBC | -18% | -0.3 |
| AMERICAN DAD | FOX | -19% | -0.7 |
| PRIVATE PRACTICE | ABC | -20% | -0.9 |
| GOSSIP GIRL-MON | CW | -20% | -0.3 |
| COMMUNITY | NBC | -20% | -0.6 |
| 90210 | CW | -21% | -0.3 |
| GREY’S ANATOMY | ABC | -21% | -1.5 |
| America’s Funniest Home Videos | ABC | -23% | -0.5 |
| ONE TREE HILL | CW | -23% | -0.3 |
| CLEVELAND SHOW | FOX | -26% | -1.1 |
| EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED. | ABC | -27% | -0.9 |
| LIE TO ME | FOX | -27% | -0.9 |
| BIGGEST LOSER 10/8 | NBC | -28% | -1.1 |
| CSI: MIAMI | CBS | -30% | -1.3 |
| MEDIUM | CBS | -30% | -0.7 |
| HOUSE | FOX | -34% | -2.3 |
| CSI: NY | CBS | -36% | -1.3 |
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Note: The ratings used in this calculation were the season to date adults 18-49 averages after eight weeks of each broadcast season. They are the “Most Current” ratings, which for the period include Live +7 day ratings (for weeks 1-6) combined with Live + Same Day ratings (for week 7 & 8).
Nielsen TV Ratings: ©2010 The Nielsen Company. All Rights Reserved.
