TV ratings: 'Bachelor' finale wins Monday, 'Law & Order' helps NBC at 10

By Rick Porter

March 2, 2010 9:04 AM
Fast National ratings for Monday, March 1, 2010

"The Bachelor" capped off its most-watched season since 2003 with a finale that gave ABC a ratings win Monday night. At NBC, "Law & Order" didn't post big ratings, but its debut in the 10 o'clock hour improved considerably on "The Jay Leno Show's" performance there.

ABC averaged 14.75 million viewers and a 9.4 rating/15 share in households in primetime. CBS (12.8 million, 7.8/12) came in second. FOX (7.6 million, 4.7/7) came in third, edging out NBC (7.4 million, 4.7/7). The CW trailed with 1.7 million viewers and a 1.1/2.

In the adults 18-49 demographic, ABC's 5.3 rating was a point better than CBS' 4.3. FOX, 2.3, came in third, followed by NBC, 2.1, and The CW, 0.7.

Monday hour by hour:

8 p.m.

ABC: "The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love" finale (14.3 million viewers, 9.1/14 households)
CBS: "How I Met Your Mother" (10.5 million, 6.3/10)/"Rules of Engagement" season premiere (9.8 million, 5.9/9)
FOX: "House" rerun (6.7 million, 4.2/7)
NBC: "Chuck" (6.7 million, 4.1/6)
The CW: "Life Unexpected" rerun (1.4 million, 0.9/1)

18-49 leader: "The Bachelor" (4.9)

9 p.m.

CBS: "Two and a Half Men" (16.75 million, 10.0/15)/"The Big Bang Theory" (15.6 million, 9.2/14)
ABC: "The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love" finale (15.7 million, 10.0/15)
FOX: "24" (8.6 million, 5.1/8)
NBC: "Law & Order" (7.6 million, 4.8/7)
The CW: "Life Unexpected" (1.9 million, 1.3/2)

18-49 leader: "The Big Bang Theory" (5.9)

10 p.m.

ABC: "The Bachelor: After the Final Rose" (14.3 million, 9.2/15)
CBS: "CSI: Miami" (12.05 million, 7.7/13)
NBC: "Law & Order" (7.9 million, 5.1/9)

18-49 leader: "The Bachelor: After the Final Rose" (5.4)

Ratings information includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change. Source: The Nielsen Company.

TV ratings: 'American Idol' guys have it Tuesday; 'Parenthood' so-so

By Rick Porter

March 3, 2010 11:40 AM ET
Fast National ratings for Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Tuesday's ratings were a little off across the board, but the usual order of things wasn't affected, as "American Idol" ended the night on top. NBC's "Parenthood" drew only a middling total audience but did win its hour in adults 18-49.

FOX led the night with 23.4 million viewers and a 13.1 rating/20 share in households. CBS (16 million, 9.9/16) finished a solid second. NBC (8.2 million, 5.1/8) came in third, while ABC (6.3 million, 4.0/6) took fourth. The CW's reruns were well back of the pack with just 693,000 viewers and a 0.5/1.

FOX's 8.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic put the network way ahead of everyone else. CBS was the best of the rest at 3.3, followed by NBC at 3.1 and ABC at 2.5. The CW could manage only a 0.3.

Monday hour by hour:

8 p.m.

FOX: "American Idol" (23.2 million viewers, 13.1/20 households)
CBS: "NCIS" (19.7 million, 11.9/18)
NBC: "The Biggest Loser" (8 million, 5.0/8)
ABC: "Lost" rerun (4.3 million, 2.9/4)
The CW: "90210" rerun (736,000, 0.5/1)

18-49 leader: "American Idol" (8.4)

9 p.m.

FOX: "American Idol" (23.7 million, 13.2/20)
CBS: "NCIS: Los Angeles" (15 million, 9.3/14)
ABC: "Lost" (9.2 million, 5.6/8)
NBC: "The Biggest Loser" (8.5 million, 5.3/8)
The CW: "Melrose Place" rerun (650,000, 0.5/1)

18-49 leader: "American Idol" (8.8)

10 p.m.

CBS: "The Good Wife" (13.3 million, 8.5/15)
NBC: "Parenthood" series premiere (8.1 million, 5.0/9)
ABC: "20/20" special - "Before They Were Stars" (5.4 million, 3.6/6)

18-49 leader: "Parenthood" (3.1)

Ratings information includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change. Source: The Nielsen Company.

TV ratings: 'Idol' scores another win Wednesday

By Rick Porter

March 4, 2010 11:45 AM ET
Fast National ratings for Wednesday, March 3, 2010

"American Idol" steamrolled its way to another ratings win Wednesday night, giving FOX more than double the audience of its closest competitor.

FOX averaged 23.55 million viewers and a 13.4 rating/21 share in households for the night and finished far ahead of second-place CBS (10.5 million, 6.6/11). NBC (7.5 million, 2.3) came in third. ABC's comedies took a hit, dropping the network into fourth with 5.6 million viewers and a 3.6/6. The CW (768,000, 0.6/1) was well off the pace with more reruns.

In the adults 18-49 demographic, FOX's 8.5 rating beat the combined total of the other four networks. CBS took second with a 2.8, followed by NBC at 2.3 and ABC at 2.0. The CW earned a 0.3.

Wednesday's hour-by-hour numbers:

8 p.m.

FOX: "American Idol" (23.2 million viewers, 13.2/21 households)
NBC: "Mercy" (6 million, 4.0/6)
CBS: "The New Adventures of Old Christine" (5.95 million, 3.8/6)/"Gary Unmarried" (6 million, 3.8/6)
ABC: "Modern Family" rerun (5.2 million, 3.3/6)/"The Middle" (6 million, 3.7/6)
The CW: "Life Unexpected" rerun (1.05 million, 0.7/1)

18-49 leader: "American Idol" (8.3)

9 p.m.

FOX: "American Idol" (23.85 million, 13.7/21)
CBS: "Criminal Minds" (13.2 million, 8.2/13)
NBC: "Law & Order: SVU" (7.5 million, 4.9/8)
ABC: "Modern Family" (8.1 million, 4.9/8)/"Cougar Town" (5.4 million, 3.5/5)
The CW: "Gossip Girl" rerun (482,000, 0.4/1)

18-49 leader: "American Idol" (8.7)

10 p.m.

CBS: "CSI: NY" (12.45 million, 7.8/14)
NBC: "Law & Order: SVU" (9 million, 5.9/10)
ABC: "The Oprah Winfrey Oscar Special" (4.4 million, 3.1/5)

18-49 leader: "CSI: NY" (3.1)

Ratings information includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change. Source: The Nielsen Company.

TV ratings: 'Idol,' 'CSI,' 'Office' baby lead Thursday

By Rick Porter

March 5, 2010 11:49 AM ET
Fast National ratings for Thursday, March 4, 2010

Thursday night's ratings were a bit of a hodgepodge: "American Idol" was the night's top show, but CBS led the network race in viewers. "The Office" scored strong demo numbers with its baby episode, but "The Marriage Ref" took a big tumble from its debut on Sunday. Both "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice" struggled some.

CBS won the night in viewers, drawing 14.35 million people and an 8.7 rating/14 share in households. FOX (13.7 million, 8.0/13) was not far behind in second. ABC (8.2 million, 5.5/8) beat out NBC (7.2 million, 4.3/7) for third place, and The CW trailed with 1.6 million viewers and a 1.1/2.

FOX le the adults 18-49 demographic with a 4.9 rating. CBS came in second with a 3.6, just ahead of NBC's 3.5. ABC averaged 2.6 and The CW 0.7.

Thursday hour by hour:

8 p.m.

FOX: "American Idol" results (19.3 million viewers, 11.1/18 households)
CBS: "Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains" (12.7 million, 7.2/12)
ABC: "Grey's Anatomy" rerun (5.05 million, 3.5/6)
NBC: "Community" (5.1 million, 3.0/5)/"Parks and Recreation" (4.6 million, 2.9/5)
The CW: "The Vampire Diaries" rerun (1.7 million, 1.1/2)

18-49 leader: "American Idol" (6.5)

9 p.m.

CBS: "CSI" (15.6 million, 9.4/15)
ABC: "Grey's Anatomy" (11.8 million, 7.7/12)
NBC: "The Office" - two episodes (9 million, 5.2/8)
FOX: "Kitchen Nightmares" (8.1 million, 4.8/8)
The CW: "Supernatural" rerun (1.55 million, 1.0/2)

18-49 leader: "The Office" (4.7)

10 p.m.

CBS: "The Mentalist" (14.8 million, 9.3/16)
NBC: "The Marriage Ref" (7.7 million, 4.8/8)
ABC: "Private Practice" (7.65 million, 5.2/9)

18-49 leader: "The Marriage Ref" (3.4)

Ratings information includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change. Source: The Nielsen Company.

Fast National ratings for Sunday, March 7, 2010

Ratings for the Oscars look to be up a good amount from last year as ABC dominated Sunday night's Nielsen race.

The fast affiliate numbers -- which will change some when they're adjusted to account for the live Oscar telecast -- have ABC averaging 33.7 million viewers and a 19.2 rating/30 share among households in primetime. The household number is up more than 10 percent over the fast national rating (16.9/26) from last year's Academy Awards. CBS (6.4 million, 3.9/6) was the best of the rest, followed by FOX (4.3 million, 2.6/4) and NBC (4 million, 2.7/4).

ABC also dominated the adults 18-49 demographic with a 10.2 rating, up from 9.5 in last year's Oscar fast nationals. FOX finished a distant second at 2.0. CBS drew a 1.7 and NBC a 1.2.

Sunday hour by hour:

7 p.m.

ABC: "The Barbara Walters Special" (21 million viewers, 12.2/20 households)
CBS: "60 Minutes" (5.58 million, 3.6/6)
NBC: "Dateline" (5.57 million, 3.7/6)
FOX: "'Til Death" - two episodes (2.55 million, 1.6/3)

18-49 leader: "The Barbara Walters Special" (5.4)

8 p.m.

ABC: Oscars pre-show (31.6 million, 18.1/28)/82nd annual Academy Awards (42.1 million, 23.6/35)
CBS: "The Amazing Race" (8.05 million, 4.5/7)
FOX: "The Simpsons" reruns - two episodes (4.8 million, 2.8/4)
NBC: "Dateline" (6.1 million, 4.0/6)/Movie - "Bad Boys II" (2.6 million, 1.7/3)

18-49 leader: Academy Awards (12.9)

9 p.m.

ABC: Academy Awards (41 million, 23.1/35)
CBS: "Undercover Boss" rerun (6.5 million, 3.9/6)
FOX: "Family Guy" reruns - two episodes (5.6 million, 3.3/5)
NBC: "Bad Boys II" (2.9 million, 1.9/3)

18-49 leader: Academy Awards (12.8)

10 p.m.

ABC: Academy Awards (36 million, 20.8/34)
CBS: "Cold Case" rerun (5.4 million, 3.5/6)
NBC: "Bad Boys II" (3.3 million, 2.2/4)

18-49 leader: Academy Awards (11.8)

TV Ratings: CBS comedies have last laugh over 'Bachelor' wedding

By Andrea Reiher

March 9, 2010 11:41 AM ET
The second "Bachelor" /"Bachelorette" wedding only drew a third of the ratings of the first one, while the CBS comedy lineup propelled the eye to an overall win.

CBS won the night overall with an average of 13 million viewers and an 8.0 rating/13 share in households in primetime. FOX nabbed second with 10.8 million viewers and a 6.4/10. ABC came in third with 9.2 million viewers and 6.0/10, while NBC was fourth with 5.4 million and a 3.4/5. The CW trailed with 1.9 million, 1.2/2 share in households.

In the adults 18-49 demographic, CBS was also first with a 4.3 rating. The rest of the field went FOX (3.8), ABC (2.6), NBC (1.7) and the CW (0.9).

Monday hour by hour:

8 p.m.
FOX: "House" (12.8 million, 7.5/12)
CBS: "How I Met Your Mother" (10.3 million, 6.3/10)/"Rules of Engagement" (10.1 million, 6.3/10)
ABC: "The Bachelor: Jason and Molly's wedding" (8.9 million viewers, 5.9/9 households)
NBC: "Chuck" (6.3 million, 3.8/6)
The CW: "Life Unexpected" (2 million, 1.3/2)

18-49 leader: "House" (4.8)

9 p.m.

CBS: "Two and a Half Men" (17.5 million, 10.5/16)/"The Big Bang Theory" (16.3 million, 9.7/15)
ABC: "The Bachelor: Jason and Molly's wedding" (9.7 million, 6.4/10)
FOX: "24" (8.9 million, 5.3/8)
NBC: "Trauma" (4.8 million, 3.0/5)
The CW: "Gossip Girl" (1.8 million, 1.2/2)

18-49 leader: "Men"/"Big Bang Theory" (5.8)

10 p.m.

CBS: "CSI: Miami" (11.9 million, 7.5/13)
ABC: "Castle" (9.1 million, 5.9/10)
NBC: "Law & Order" (5.2 million, 3.5/6)

18-49 leader: "CSI: Miami" (3.3)

Ratings information includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change. Source: The Nielsen Company.

TV ratings: 'Idol' is Tuesday's top show, but CBS leads night

By Rick Porter

March 10, 2010 11:34 AM ET
Fast National ratings for Tuesday, March 9, 2010

"American Idol" was once again Tuesday's most-watched show, but CBS' strength at 9 and 10 o'clock gave the network a win for the night.

CBS scored 16.8 million viewers and a 10.4 rating/17 share in primetime, beating the 15.2 million viewers and 8.7/14 for FOX. NBC (7.3 million, 4.6/8) came in third, followed by ABC (6.2 million, 3.9/6). The return of "90210" and "Melrose Place" originals helped The CW some, but not a ton, as it drew 1.4 million people and a 1.0/2.

FOX did win the adults 18-49 demo with a 5.6 rating, finishing well ahead of CBS' 3.4. NBC took third with a 2.9. ABC's 2.4 was good for fourth, while The CW trailed at 0.7.

Tuesday hour by hour:

8 p.m.

FOX: "American Idol" (22.6 million viewers, 12.7/20 households)
CBS: "NCIS" (19.5 million, 12.0/19)
NBC: "The Biggest Loser" (7 million, 4.4/7)
ABC: "Lost" rerun (4.2 million, 2.8/4)
The CW: "90210" (1.7 million, 1.2/2)

18-49 leader: "American Idol" (8.2)

9 p.m.

CBS: "NCIS: Los Angeles" (16.9 million, 10.3/16)
ABC: "Lost" (9.5 million, 5.6/9)
NBC: "The Biggest Loser" (8.85 million, 5.5/9)
FOX: "Glee" rerun (7.8 million, 4.7/7)
The CW: "Melrose Place" (1.2 million, 0.9/1)

18-49 leader: "Lost" (4.2)

10 p.m.

CBS: "The Good Wife" (13.9 million, 9.0/16)
NBC: "Parenthood" (6.1 million, 4.0/7)
ABC: "The Forgotten" (4.9 million, 3.3/5)

18-49 leader: "The Good Wife" (2.8)

Ratings information includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change. Source: The Nielsen Company.

TV ratings: 'Idol' cruises Wednesday, 'Top Model' solid

By Rick Porter

March 11, 2010 11:39 AM ET
Fast National ratings for Wednesday, March 10, 2010

The return of "America's Next Top Model" did pretty well for The CW Wednesday, but that didn't carry over to the network's new reality show "High Society."

"American Idol" was off some from its season average but still carried FOX to the night's top spot; the network averaged 14.15 million viewers and an 8.3 rating/13 share in primetime. CBS (10.5 million, 6.6/11) came in second, followed by NBC (6.8 million, 4.5/8). ABC finished fourth with 5.65 million viewers and a 3.6/5, while The CW (3.2 million, 2.1/3) trailed.

FOX also rolled to a win among adults 18-49 with a 4.9 rating. CBS, 2.7, grabbed second in the demographic. ABC's 2.2 was good enough for third, beating out NBC's 1.8. The CW earned a 1.3.

Wednesday hour by hour:

8 p.m.

FOX: "Human Target" (7.8 million viewers, 4.8/8 households)
CBS: "The New Adventures of Old Christine" (7.9 million, 4.9/8)/"Gary Unmarried" (6.8 million, 4.2/7)
NBC: "Mercy" (6.3 million, 4.1/7)
ABC: "Scrubs" (4.3 million, 2.9/5)/"The Middle" (6.3 million, 3.9/6)
The CW: "America's Next Top Model" premiere (4 million, 2.6/4)

18-49 leader: "Human Target" (2.4)

9 p.m.

FOX: "American Idol" (20.5 million, 11.7/19)
CBS: "Criminal Minds" (13.1 million, 8.1/13)
ABC: "Modern Family" (8.95 million, 5.5/9)/"Cougar Town" (6.15 million, 3.9/6)
NBC: "Law & Order: SVU" rerun (5.4 million, 3.6/6)
The CW: "America's Next Top Model" (3.3 million, 2.2/4)/"High Society" premiere (1.4 million, 1.0/2)

18-49 leader: "American Idol" (7.5)

10 p.m.

CBS: "CSI: NY" (11 million, 7.1/13)
NBC: "Law & Order: SVU" (8.6 million, 5.6/10)
ABC: "Ugly Betty" (4.1 million, 2.7/5)

18-49 leader: "CSI: NY" and "Law & Order: SVU" tied at 2.6

Ratings information includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change. Source: The Nielsen Company.

TV ratings: 'American Idol' top 12, CBS dramas top Thursday

By Rick Porter

March 12, 2010 11:42 AM ET
Fast National ratings for Thursday, March 11, 2010

The announcement of this season's "American Idol" top 12 scored Thursday night's best ratings, but CBS ended up leading the viewer race on the strength of "CSI" and "The Mentalist."

The two dramas helped CBS lead the night in viewers as the network averaged 14.5 million people and an 8.8 rating/15 share in households. FOX (13.4 million, 7.9/13) finished second, a good bit ahead of third-place ABC (7.8 million, 5.3/9), which saw "Grey's Anatomy" continue to struggle some. NBC (5.8 million, 3.6/6) came in fourth, and an evening of reruns on The CW trailed with 1.4 million viewers and a 1.0/2.

FOX coasted to a win in the adults 18-49 demographic, drawing a 4.7 rating. CBS took second with a 3.4. NBC's 2.7 edged ABC's 2.6 for third, while The CW posted a 0.5.

Thursday's hourly numbers:

8 p.m.

FOX: "American Idol" results (19.15 million viewers, 11.1/18 households)
CBS: "Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains" (12.1 million, 7.0/11)
NBC: "Community" (4.7 million, 3.0/5)/"Parks and Recreation" (4.6 million, 3.0/5)
ABC: "Grey's Anatomy" rerun (4.4 million, 3.2/5)
The CW: "The Vampire Diaries" rerun (1.5 million, 1.1/2)

18-49 leader: "American Idol" (6.2)

9 p.m.

CBS: "CSI" (15.4 million, 9.4/15)
ABC: "Grey's Anatomy" (11 million, 7.2/12)
FOX: "Kitchen Nightmares" (7.6 million, 4.7/8)
NBC: "The Office" (7.5 million, 4.4/7)/"30 Rock" (5.9 million, 3.5/6)
The CW: "Supernatural" rerun (1.4 million, 1.0/2)

18-49 leader: "Grey's Anatomy" (4.0)

10 p.m.

CBS: "The Mentalist" (16 million, 10.0/18)
ABC: "Private Practice" (7.9 million, 5.5/10)
NBC: "The Marriage Ref" (6 million, 3.9/7)

18-49 leader: "The Mentalist" (3.4)

Ratings information includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change. Source: The Nielsen Company.