NBC’s Chicago P.D. premiered on Wednesday night to 8.6 million total viewers and a 2.0 demo rating, per finals, besting both Ironside‘s launch numbers (6.8 mil/1.4) and Chicago Fire‘s own fall 2012 debut in the time slot (6.4 mil/1.9).

It also marks this TV season’s No. 2-rated 10 pm freshman drama premiere.

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Opening NBC’s night, Revolution returned to 6.1 million viewers (up 13 percent) a 1.5 rating (up a tenth), while Law & Order: SVU surged 48 and 31 percent to 8.9 mil/2.1 (its best demo number since opening the season).

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CBS’ coverage of the People’s Choice Awards drew 10.2 million total viewers (its largest audience since 2010) and a 2.4 rating (down 11 percent year-over-year).

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Over on ABC, The Middle (8.8 mil/2.2) gained two tenths from its fall finale, an 8:30 helping of Super Fun Night (4.9 mil/1.5) demonstrated far less retention out of The Middle than Back in the Game (55 vs. 75 percent), Modern Family (9.5 mil/3.5) was flat and the regular Fun Night (4.9 mil/1.7) dipped a tenth.

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