The ratings for EMPIRE were unprecedented in its first season and rose week after week, but the show finally slipped a little bit in the second episode of season 2 (although, not enough to make a significant dent in its huge ratings). Meanwhile, over on CBS, the new medical drama CODE BLACK had an OK start (with decent ratings, but a low showing in the key demo).
In terms of total viewers, Fox won the night (9.9 million), followed by CBS (9.3 million), NBC (6.8 million) and ABC (6.6 million). See all numbers below (live + same day total viewers & adults 18-49 ratings).
ABC
8 p.m. THE MIDDLE 7.9 million, 2.2 rating (last week: 8.2 million, 2.1 rating)
8:30 p.m. THE GOLDBERGS 7.4 million, 2.3 rating (last week: 7.6 million, 2.4 rating)
9 p.m. MODERN FAMILY 8.6 million, 2.9 rating (last week: 9.5 million, 3.2 rating)
9:30 p.m. BLACK-ISH 6.0 million, 1.8 rating (last week: 7.3 million, 2.4 rating)
10 p.m. NASHVILLE 4.8 million, 1.2 rating (last week: 4.9 million, 1.2 rating)
CBS
8 p.m. SURVIVOR 9.3 million,2.3 rating (last week: 9.7 million, 2.5 rating)
9 p.m. CRIMINAL MINDS 9.9 million, 2.0 rating (last year premiere: 2.7 rating)
10 p.m. CODE BLACK 8.5 million, 1.6 rating (last year premiere for Stalker: 2.0 rating)
Fox
8 p.m. ROSEWOOD 6.2 million, 1.9 rating (last week: 7.5 million, 2.4 rating)
9 p.m. EMPIRE 13.7 million, 5.4 rating (last week: 16.2 million, 6.7 rating)
NBC
8 p.m. THE MYSTERIES OF LAURA 7.2 million, 1.2 rating (last week 7.1 million, 1.2 rating)
9 p.m. LAW & ORDER: SVU 6.8 million, 1.7 rating (last week: 8.3 million, 1.8 rating)
10 p.m. CHICAGO P.D. 6.7 million, 1.7 rating (last year premiere: 1.9 rating)
In addition, Nielson reports that the following shows/specials were the most tweeted about of the night:
(1) EMPIRE
(2) CRIMINAL MINDS
(3) SURVIVOR
(4) LAW & ORDER: SVU
(5) SOUTH PARK