For the first time, a regularly scheduled entertainment show has knocked American Idol off its perch at the top of the Nielsen ratings chart as the most-viewed show among total adults. According to final figures, NCIS , now in its ninth season on CBS and seemingly growing stronger every season, averaged 19.59 million viewers last week, while the Wednesday edition of Fox's American Idol averaged 18.89 million. Thursday's Idol wound up in third place with 16.71 million, barely edging out NCIS Los Angeles with 16.15 million viewers. NBC held on to a spot in the top ten with The Voice, which through a ratings anomaly, wound up in fifth place although with slightly more viewers -- 16.28 million -- than the fourth-place finisher. Among the evening newscasts, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams , with 9.50 million viewers, widened its lead over ABC World News with Diane Sawyer , with 7.97 million viewers. The CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley trailed with 6.60 million. Overall, CBS easily won the week among total adults with a 6.8 rating and an 11 share. Fox placed second with a 5.1/8. ABC ranked third with a 4.2/7, while NBC trailed with a 3.5/6.

The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research 1. NCIS , CBS, 11.7/19; 2. American Idol (Wednesday), Fox, 10.8/17; 3. American Idol (Thursday), Fox, 9.8/15; 3. NCIS Los Angeles , CBS, 9.8/15; 5. The Voice, NBC, 9.4/14; 6. The Big Bang Theory , CBS, 9.3/15; 7. The Mentalist , CBS, 8.4/14; 8. Person of Interest , CBS, 8.0/12; 9. Two and a Half Men , CBS, 7.8/11; 10. Criminal Minds , CBS, 7.6/12.

22/02/2012