Ratings: ‘Chicago Fire’ defeats ‘Nashville’ while ‘Guys with Kids’ plummet

It’s always fascinating to us to see how many shows far once programming resumes in the new year, especially since it helps to show just what is on the rise, what is starting to slide, and the networks that are making the best decisions at the moment.

After a disastrous Tuesday that saw both “Go On” and “The New Normal” plummet without “The Voice” as a lead-in, we have to give some credit to NBC for sticking with their one-two punch of “Law & Order: SVU” and “Chicago Fire” despite some low ratings earlier this fall. After all, it is starting to pay off. While the 2.0 rating for the long-running series is down a tenth from last week, it was up against considerable competition from “Modern Family” (4.7), and it still fared well. Granted, you have to consider that it probably does share an audience with “Criminal Minds” (which was off for the week) more than the People’s Choice Awards (which drew a respectable 2.6).

While “Chicago Fire” has a similar sort of conflict with “CSI” when it comes to sharing an audience, NBC still has to be thrilled that this show drew a 2.2 (despite falling .2 from last week), and is starting to become their second-biggest new hit of the season behind only “Revolution.” This is coming from a show that at times looked like it was burning to the ground in the fall, so you have to give producers credit for really sticking with this even in some tough times. It also beat “Nashville” (2.0), a new show that may end up being on the bubble more so than it is despite having much more critical acclaim.

For those curious, NBC’s other comedies did tank once again: with the return of “The Middle” and “The Neighbors,” the best either “Whitney” or “Guys with Kids” could do is a 1.4. Both of these shows, unlike “Chicago Fire,” will be gone come May.

Photo: NBC