AMERICAN IDOL - NEW RATINGS PRODUCE NO SURPRISES

NEW RATINGS PRODUCE NO SURPRISES

Delayed ratings for last week, released on Wednesday, turned up nothing surprising, at least so far as the top-rated shows were concerned. Fox's American Idol once again led the field -- by a distance comparable to that of Mine That Bird at last week's Kentucky Derby. The performance show was watched by 23.26 million viewers, while the results show, by 22.37 million. However, Fox may have been disappointed with the ratings for Lie to Me , the lead-in to Tuesday-night's Idol , which posted virtually the same numbers that it had previously, despite no competition from entertainment shows on the other networks. (It aired opposite President Obama's press conference, which was carried by ABC, CBS, and NBC.) CBS again finished the week in first place in overall households with an average 6.9 rating and 12 share. ABC placed second with a 5.5/9. Fox came in third in households (but first in younger viewers) with a 5.3/9, while NBC continued to trail with a 4.2/7.

The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research 1. American Idol (Tuesday), Fox, 13.5/13.5; 2. American Idol (Wednesday), Fox, 13.2/20; 3. Dancing With the Stars (Monday), ABC, 12.3/19; 4. The Mentalist, CBS, 10.6/16; 5. NCIS, CBS, 10.1/16; 6. CSI Crime Scene Investigation, CBS, 9.7/15; 7. Dancing With the Stars (Tuesday), ABC, 9.4/14; 8. Two and a Half Men , CBS, 8.7/13; 9. Grey's Anatomy , ABC, 9.4/15; 10. Criminal Minds , CBS, 8.5/13.

07/05/2009