Fast National ratings for Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2005.
Until some point at the end of May, all Tuesday ratings stories are likely to begin the same way: Led by the powerhouse talent show “American Idol,” FOX grabbed the ratings lead early and wouldn’t let go, eating into the audiences on all the other networks.
Overall, FOX averaged a 12.0 rating/18 share. CBS was a distant second on the night with a 7.7/12, followed by ABC’s 5.9/9 and the 5.8/9 for NBC. The WB had a 3.1/5 for the night, leaving UPN in a distant sixth with a 1.7/3.
FOX also easily won the 18-49 demographic that the advertisers dream about at night, doing an 8.5 rating. CBS led a tight race for second with a 3.4 rating, nipping NBC’s 3.3 and the 3.2 rating for ABC. The WB was an acceptable third with a 2.1 rating, keeping UPN in last with a 1.0 rating.
At 8 p.m., FOX started things off right with the 16.0/24 for the “American Idol” audition episode, right in line with the show’s averages to start this new season. CBS’ “NCIS” was second with a 7.7/12. NBC was third with some canned special about outrageous things happening on live TV, just better than the 4.4/7 averaged by “My Wife and Kids” and “George Lopez.” On The WB, “Gilmore Girls” had a 3.2/5, doubling up UPN’s “All of Us” and “Eve.”
FOX stayed on top for the 9 p.m. hour as the freshman medical drama “House” did an 8.0/12. CBS moved closer to second with the 7.5/11 for “Amazing Race.” ABC’s “According to Jim” and “Rodney” was a close third. On NBC, “Scrubs” (5.5/8) and “Committed” (4.9/7) were fourth. The WB’s “One Tree Hill” was fifth with a 2.9/4, beating the 1.7/3 for UPN’s “Veronica Mars.”
CBS finally grabbed first for the night’s final hour with the 8.0/13 for “Judging Amy.” A repeat of NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” was second, leaving ABC in third with the 7.0/12 for “NYPD Blue.”
Credit: Zap2It