CBS - AFTER FOUR YEARS, NCIS MAKES TO THE TOP

AFTER FOUR YEARS, NCIS MAKES TO THE TOP

CBS's NCIS, always a strong if unheralded performer for the network, managed to make it to the top of the Nielsen ratings list for the first time in its four-season run last week. Analysts pointed out, however,that it had little competition, given the fact that most of the usual big ratings winners were either being preempted, rerun, or on hiatus. The win helped CBS win not only the crown as the most-watched network --something that it has accomplished every week this season -- but also as the leader among viewers 18-49, an accomplishment it only sporadically achieves. Also helping the network was the finale of Survivor: Cook Islands. Ratings for the finale were down from previous years due to the fact that it had to compete against NBC's Sunday Night Football for the first time, with the episode drawing 16.5 million versus 21 million last year. CBS averaged a 7.7 rating and a 13 share for the week. NBC placed second with a 4.9/8. ABC's ratings sank with an average 5.9 million, while Fox trailed with a 1.7 rating.

The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research:
1. NCIS, CBS, 10.9/17; 2. CSI: Miami, CBS, 10.5/17; 3. CSI: NY, CBS, 10.3/17; 3. Deal or No Deal (Monday), NBC, 10.3/16; 5. Criminal Minds, CBS, 10.2/16; 6. Two and a Half Men, CBS, 10.0/15; 7. Sunday Night Football, NBC, 9.9/16; 8. House, Fox, 9.8/15; 9. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CBS, 9.6/15; 10. 60 Minutes, CBS, 9.4/16.

20/12/2006