'Empire' Builds Amazing TV Ratings

Fox’s “Empire” drama continues to show astounding growth in key TV ratings, with another unprecedented week-to-week improvement in viewership.

For its ninth consecutive outing, 18-49 viewership was up -- now to an eye-popping 5.7 rating/16 share, according to preliminarily Nielsen results up 6% from a 5.4 rating a week ago. Overall it pulled in 14.2 million total viewers.

“Empire” results are the best of any broadcast network TV show in years -- the best rating for any broadcast drama since the season finale of ABC’s “Lost” in 2010. It is rare to see ratings improvement in any new TV show these days for this many consecutive weeks since its premiere.

Another new drama hit the airwaves on Wednesday, but nowhere near the levels of “Empire” was CBS’ “CSI: Cyber,” which started decently at a 1.8/5 among 18-49 viewers, winning its 10 p.m. time period.

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“Empire” was the easiest winner of the night. Well down the list was ABC’s “Modern Family” at a 3.4/10.

Earlier in a night, the four major networks were at a virtual tie in the 8 p.m. hour: ABC’s two half-hour comedies eked out a win: “The Middle” (at 8 p.m.) at a 2.2/7 among 18-49 viewers and “The Goldbergs” (at 8:30 p.m.) was at a 2.5/8.

Then came CBS’ “Survivor” also at 2.3/7, followed by Fox’s “American Idol” a 2.1/7; and NBC’s “The Voice” with a two-hour highlight show added to its early week usual run), at a 2.1/6.

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