Ratings: Fox’s ‘Empire’ Dominates Repeat Competition; ‘Survivor,’ ‘Arrow’ Up 

On a night when its primary competition aired in repeats, Fox’s “

Empire” towered over the primetime field Wednesday, a night that also saw CBS’ “Survivor” edge up for a second straight week as it nears the end of its season and CW’s “Arrow” shoot higher with its first new episode in three weeks.

Fox led Wednesday in key demos, even if “Rosewood” placed third in its timeslot (1.3/5 in 18-49, 4.8 million viewers overall); the already-renewed procedural was up a tenth from the prior two weeks. “Empire” (3.7/12 in 18-49, 9.8 million viewers overall) held steady week to week to dominate its hour in key demos while standing as the night’s most-watched program overall. The soap mowed down its repeat competition, beating the combined scores of “Modern Family,” “Criminal Minds” and “Law & Order: SVU” in the 9 o’clock half-hour by 12% in 18-49 (3.6 vs. 3.2) and by 74% in adults 18-34 (3.3 vs. 1.9).

Elsewhere, CBS’ “Survivor” (2.1/8 in 18-49, 9.3 million viewers overall) was up a tenth for a second straight week, easily leading the 8 o’clock hour three weeks from the finale of its 31st edition. It was followed by a “Criminal Minds” repeat (1.0/3 in 18-49, 5.5 million viewers overall) and a new “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders” (timeslot-leading 1.2/4 in 18-49, 6.5 million viewers overall), which was down a tenth from last week when it had an original lead-in but on par with its delivery the last time it didn’t have an original “Criminal” airing at 9. At this point, there’s no reason to think the Gary Sinise-led “Beyond Borders” won’t be back for a second season.

At ABC, “The Middle” (1.6/6 in 18-49, 6.7 million viewers overall) was down from the 1.7 it had done with its prior spring originals, and the network got good mileage out of an outtakes/bloopers episode of “The Goldbergs” at 8:30 (1.6/6 in 18-49, 5.8 million viewers overall). A repeat “Modern Family” followed at 9 (1.3/4 in 18-49, 4.9 million viewers overall), and a “Black-ish” original at 9:30 (1.5/5 in 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall) was down just a tenth from its prior original (which came following a new “Modern Family” two weeks ago). At 10 p.m., “Nashville” (0.9/3 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall) was up a tenth from last week.

NBC’s “Heartbeat” (0.8/3 in 18-49, 4.7 million viewers overall) was up a tick week to week, though its early numbers include NBA action in the Portland market. “Law & Order: SVU” (0.8/3 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall) and “Chicago PD” (0.7/3 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall) aired one more week of repeats ahead of their return to originals next week.

And at CW, “Arrow” (0.9/3 in 18-49, 2.3 million viewers overall) was up across the board from its prior original on April 6, including 12% (0.1) in 18-49 and 33% (0.2) in adults 18-34 (0.8/4); it ranked second for its 8 o’clock hour in men 18-34 (0.8/4) also matched its season high in women 18-34 (0.8/4). “Supernatural” (0.7/2 in 18-49, 1.7 million viewers overall) also returned after a break, down a little in most categories.

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Associate Director, YouTuber & Gamer Partnerships

In your face, Hollywood racists ! It\'s not just Black folks watching EMPIRE and generating mega AD revenue

Thankful for EMPIRE and the talent it exhibits as well as the jobs it provides. The ratings speak for themselves !