Primetime Ratings: American Idol Down But Still Knocks Out Competition
Fox Beats Other Four Networks Combined Tuesday Night
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/16/2008 4:49:00 AM MT
The return of Fox's American Idol was down in the key 18-49 demo from its 2007 debut, scoring a 13.8/32 in its two-hour premiere versus a 15.7/36 in its two-hour premiere Jan. 17, 2007, according to Nielsen Media Research overnight numbers. But the show still demolished the other networks and built audience throughout the night.
Idol still had plenty of power to crush the competition. Fox beat all of the other networks combined in primetime, with ABC/CBS/NBC/The CW avereraging an 8.5/19 on the night.
And Idol grew every half-hour, from an 11.7/30 from 8 p.m.-8:30 p.m. to a 15.3/34 from 9:30 p.m.-10 p.m.
NBC was second on the night with a 3.5/8, led by Law & Order: SVU, the night's second-highest-rated show at a 4.6/12.
CBS was third with a 2.6/6, led by NCIS (3/7) and the second installment of Lonesome Dove sequel Comanche Moon, which averaged a 2.5/6 over its two hours.
ABC was a distant fourth with a 1.4 for a mix or originals and repeats. Its top show was Boston Legal at 10-11 (2/6).
The CW averaged a respectable netlet number of a 1 rating/2 share, led by One Tree Hill with a 1.3/3 at 9-10, good enough to beat ABC in the time period.
