Fox’s coverage of the World Series got off to a strong ratings start Wednesday night, as each of the other big four broadcast networks had its share of difficulties, based on Nielsen overnights for the key 18-49 demo.

TVbytheNumbers.com reports that Game 1 of the Series, pitting the Boston Red Sox against the St. Louis Cardinals, delivered a preliminary 4.1 average rating from 8-10 p.m., well above last year’s preliminary 3.2 average for Game 1 between the Detroit Tigers and San Francisco Giants.

The baseball game was the highest-rated program in broadcast prime, and Fox easily won the night. Meanwhile, series lows and season lows were the order of the night on the other broadcast networks, as ABC, CBS and NBC all had shows coming in at historic lows.

Second-place CBS saw "Survivor" lose three-tenths from a week ago to turn in a 2.3 average in the 18-49 demo, its lowest number ever, excluding recaps and specials. "Criminal Minds" matched last week’s 2.7 average, and "CSI" ticked up one-tenth to a 2.1.

ABC had the top broadcast show of the night outside of baseball, in "Modern Family," which settled for a season-low 3.8 average in viewers 18-49, falling three-tenths from last week. "Back in the Game" sank to a series low, falling two-tenths from a week ago to a 1.7. "The Middle" had a season low, slipping one-tenth to a 2.1, while "Super Fun Night" managed to inch up one-tenth to a 2.2 and "Nashville" matched last week’s 1.6.

NBC found itself in fifth place overall behind Univision, with "Revolution" equaling last week’s series low, a 1.4 average in the 18-49 demo. "Law & Order: SVU" plunged four-tenths of a point to a season-low 1.4, and the canceled freshman drama "Ironside" lost two-tenths to record a 0.8.

For prime time overall, Fox’s 4.1 average in adults 18-49 was easily the best number, followed by CBS (2.4 average), ABC (2.2), Univision (1.3) and NBC (1.2). Fox also led total viewers, averaging 13.7 million to top CBS (10.4 million), ABC (7.0 million), NBC (4.8 million) and Univision (3.2 million).