NEW YORK (AP) – It’s a revelation: NBC figured out something to compete against “American Idol.”
NBC’s spiritual miniseries “Revelations” reached 15.6 million viewers for its debut last week, positive ratings news for a network that needs it. It was the most-watched NBC show airing opposite the Wednesday edition of Fox’s “American Idol” since a National Basketball Association finals game in 2002, according to Nielsen Media Research.
CBS scored another easy victory as the most popular network in prime time last week. “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” was the most-watched program.
Fox’s Emmy-winning comedy “Arrested Development” ended its season last week with an episode seen by only 6 million people. Despite the sitcom’s critical raves, those ratings put it at risk of not returning
Despite the continuing domination of “Desperate Housewives” and its Sunday night lineup, ABC slipped to fourth place. The lackluster showings of new series “Eyes,” “Blind Justice” and “Jake in Progress” proves not everything ABC programmers touch turns to gold.
For the week, CBS averaged 12.2 million viewers (7.9 rating, 13 share). Fox was second with 9.7 million (6.0, 10), and easily won among the 18-to-49-year-old age group that advertisers like. NBC had 8.7 million viewers (5.9, 10), ABC 8 million (5.2, 9), UPN 3.2 million (2.1, 3), the WB 2.9 million (2.0, 3) and Pax TV 550,000 (0.4, 1).
NBC’s “Nightly News” won the evening news ratings race, averaging 8.7 million viewers (6.2, 13). ABC’s “World News Tonight” had 8.4 million viewers (6.0, 13) and the “CBS Evening News” had 6.4 million (4.5, 10).
A ratings point represents 1,096,000 households, or 1 percent of the nation’s estimated 109.6 million TV homes. The share is the percentage of in-use televisions tuned to a given show.
For the week of April 11-17, the top 10 shows, their networks and viewerships: “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” CBS, 27.5 million; “American Idol” (Tuesday), Fox, 25.6 million; “Desperate Housewives,” ABC, 25.3 million; “American Idol” (Wednesday), Fox, 25 million; “CSI: Miami,” CBS, 20.7 million; “Survivor: Palau,” CBS, 20.4 million; “Without a Trace,” CBS, 20 million; “Grey’s Anatomy,” ABC, 19.2 million; “House,” Fox, 17.8 million; “Law & Order,” NBC, 16.9 million.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.