Massive premieres for 'Cougar Town,' 'Modern Family'


Chronic comedy underdog ABC launched two new shows to stunning numbers Wednesday night.

The critically acclaimed "Modern Family" premiered to 12.7 million viewers and 4.3 preliminary adults 18-49 rating.

Courteney Cox's "Cougar Town" had 11.4 million viewers and also enjoyed a 4.3 rating.

The shows improved 34% on their "Dancing With the Stars" (14.9 million, 3.2) lead in and won 9 p.m. against tough competition.

These comedy numbers would thrill CBS if a new show garnered such figures during its Monday night block. For ABC, a network that's struggled to produce comedies with any ratings traction, they're pretty amazing.

The shows tied as TV's highest-rated half-hour comedy debut in two years (since ABC's "Samantha Who," which had a larger "Dancing" lead in) and beat the debuts of fellow new comedies "Accidentally on Purpose" (+30%) and "Community" (+13%).
Massive premieres for 'Cougar Town,' 'Modern Family'--The Live Feed | THR#