CBS - CBS FAVORED TO WIN FEBRUARY SWEEPS -- EASILY

Although the four major networks are planning a slew of impressive specials for the February sweeps, CBS is regarded as a shoo-in to win, thanks primarily to its coverage Sunday of the Super Bowl. The network also will air the Grammys on Feb. 11, featuring a reunion of The Police. ABC will likely place second, thanks to its coverage of the Academy Awards on Feb. 25, preceded three days earlier with an Oprah Winfrey Oscar special. On Feb. 27, the network will air a documentary, Iraq and Back, in which former anchor Bob Woodruff will report on his near-fatal wounding in Iraq a year ago and his rehabilitation. ABC also plans to air a three-episode Grey's Anatomy "story arc" against CBS's CSI: Crime Scene Investigation on Thursday nights. Meanwhile, Fox will remain a tough contender with American Idol and House, while NBC does its best to stave off the onslaught, mostly by enhancing its existing line-up with guest-star appearances.

01/02/2007