THE BACHELOR - THE BACHELOR FINALE SURPRISES WITH HUGE RATINGS

THE BACHELOR FINALE SURPRISES WITH HUGE RATINGS

ABC's The Bachelor, which had been making a steady comeback this season, hit a high mark Monday night with a season finale that averaged 16.13 million viewers, peaking in the 9 30 p.m. half hour with 17.48 million. A 10 00 p.m. special, The Bachelor After the Final Rose , drew 17.47 million viewers. CBS, the usual Monday-night winner, settled for second place with a potent 12.65 million viewers. Fox, which aired a two-hour edition of 24 , recorded 11.10 million -- but finished first among adults 18-49.

03/03/2009