NBC TV Show Ratings for Wednesday, October 24, 2012

The folks at the peacock network present their view of last night’s ratings, particularly as they pertain to Animal Practice, Guys with Kids, Law & Order: SVU, and Chicago Fire.

Wednesday Results:

* At 9 p.m. ET, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (1.8/5 in adults 18-49, 6.7 million viewers overall) captured week-to-week increases of 13 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.8 from a 1.6) and 7 percent in total viewers (6.682 million vs. 6.245 million), despite special competition last night from Fox’s coverage of Game 1 of the World Series. Last night’s “SVU,” the show’s 300th episode, built on its lead-in by 38 percent in 18-49 rating and by 74 percent in total viewers. From its first half-hour to its second, “SVU” grew by 12 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.9 from a 1.7) and by 19 percent or nearly 1.2 million persons in total viewers (7.3 million vs. 6.1 million).

* “SVU” topped NBC’s time-period average last season by 80 percent in 18-49 rating (with a 1.8 vs. a 1.0) and by 37 percent or 1.8 million persons in total viewers (6.682 million vs. 4.868 million) in a highly competitive time period versus ABC’s “Modern Family” and “Suburgatory,” CBS’s “Criminal Minds” and Fox’s World Series.

* Keep in mind that last season, “Law & Order: SVU” originals added an average of 47 percent to these next-day “live plus same day” ratings in 18-49 when Nielsen reported “live plus seven day” results.

* At 10 p.m. ET, “Chicago Fire” (1.8/5 in adults 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall) jumped week to week by 20 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.8 from a 1.5) and 8 percent in total viewers (6.297 million vs. 5.849 million), despite last night’s World Series competition. Last night’s 1.8 rating is within a tenth of a point of “Chicago Fire’s” debut 1.9, making it the first new drama this season to finish within a tenth of its premiere rating in week three Last night’s “Chicago Fire” retained 100 percent of its 18-49 lead-in from “SVU.” From its first half-hour to its second, “Chicago Fire” maintained 100 percent of its 18-49 rating and grew by 2 percent in total viewers (6.4 million vs. 6.2 million). “Chicago Fire” is currently the only drama on ABC, CBS or NBC in the hour that didn’t decline half-hour to half-hour in 18-49 or total viewers (pending updates)..

* From 8-8:30 p.m. ET, “Animal Practice” (1.2/4 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall) grew week to week by 9 percent in 18-49 rating in a highly competitive time period versus CBS’s “Survivor,” ABC’s “The Middle,” Fox’s World Series and ” CW’s “Arrow.”

* From 8:30-9 p.m. ET, “Guys With Kids” (1.3/4 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall) built on its 18-49 lead-in by 8 percent despite last night’s special competition from Fox’s Game 1 of the World Series. The increase gives “Guys With Kids” a build on lead-in with each of its five telecasts to date in this time period. The only other 8:30 comedy on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox this season to build on its 18-49 lead-in even once is NBC’s “Up All Night.”