Game 1 of the World Series was easily a knockout for FOX—but it also did well for ABC. Although it was a distant second in the viewers, the Alphabet network saw its audience numbers go up thanks to original counterprogramming.

8pm

• Last night’s World Series game (19.5 million, 6.3 rating in 18-49) had the best numbers for an opener in five years.
• Monsters vs. Aliens (2.2/6) pulled in 6.9 million for NBC; a second showing (5.6 million, 1.9/5) did 1.3 million less.
• The New Adventures of Old Christine* (6.6 million, 1.6/5) lost 400,000; Gary Unmarried* (6.4 million, 1.7/5) did the same.
• It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown* (6.3 million, 2.0/6) did 500,000 better than last week’s Hank; The Middle (6.6 million, 2.2/6) picked up 200,000.
• America’s Next Top Model (3.5 million, 1.6/4) reached a season high demo.

9pm

• Criminal Minds* (9.7 million, 2.4/6 in 18-49) was off by 4 million.
• Modern Family (9.2 million, 3.7/9) had the best demos for anything non-sports related.
• Law & Order: SVU (8 million, 2.7/7) fell by 1.3 million.
• Cougar Town (7.5 million, 3.2/8)  was up by 100,000.
• The Vampire Diaries* (1.4 million, 0.7/2) improved upon Melrose Place‘s numbers.

10pm

• CSI: NY* (9.2 million, 2.2/6 in 18-49) gave up 3.4 million.
• Eastwick (5 million, 1.8/5) added on 100,000.
• The Jay Leno Show (5 million, 1.5/4) slid by 200,000.

*denotes repeat

(You can review last Wednesday’s ratings here.)