Three networks a laid a claim to Wednesday’s ratings battle.
ABC and NBC tied for first in the ratings, each averaging a 7.4 rating/12 share, although ABC was alone in first among total viewers with 11.6 million. FOX, 7.0/11, was third (and second in viewers, with 11.3 million to NBC’s 10.9 million). CBS finished a distant fourth at 5.3/9, followed by UPN, 2.2/3, and The WB, 1.8/3.
FOX led the way in the coveted 18-49 demographic, scoring a 5.0 rating. . ABC, 4.2, came in second, topping NBC, 3.3, and CBS, 3.0. UPN averaged 1.3 and The WB 1.1.
“Lost,” 10.3/17, easily won the 8 p.m. hour for ABC. An episode of “Dateline” put NBC in second with a 6.8/11. FOX was a disappointing third, managing 3.9/6 with a “That ’70s Show” repeat and “The Simple Life 3.” CBS was fourth with an “Amazing Race” clip show. “America’s Next Top Model,” 3.0/5, was fifth for UPN, ahead of a “Smallville” rerun on The WB.
FOX took the lead at 9 p.m. with “American Idol,” 14.0/21, and “Life on a Stick,” 6.4/10. “The West Wing” ended its season on a good note, posting a 7.6/11 for NBC. “Alias,” 6.2/9, improved to third for ABC, beating the 5.8/9 average for “The King of Queens” and “Yes, Dear” on CBS. A second “Smallville” moved The WB ahead of UPN’s “Kevin Hill” repeat.
A “Law & Order” repeat posted a 7.9/13 for NBC to win at 10 p.m. CBS got a 6.6/11 from a “CSI: NY” rerun, while ABC’s “Eyes” came in third at 5.6/9.
Credit: Zap2It
