Primetime Ratings: Fox Wins as 'X Factor' Performance Finale Drops From Last Fall

NBC's broadcast of the Miss Universe pageant grows year-over-year

By Tim Baysinger -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/20/2012 11:36:35 AM

Against mostly specials and repeats, Fox won Wednesday night with an overall 2.7 rating/8 share among adults 18-49, according to Nielsen overnight numbers. The X Factor's performance finale was even with last week, but down 18% from last fall.

NBC's broadcast of Miss Universe 2012 drew a 1.8. The two-hour show was up 13% over last year's broadcast (which aired in September) and also averaged 6.1 million total viewers, a 15% improvement. Chicago Fire rose 36% to a 1.9 at 10 p.m. NBC finished in second with an overall 1.8 rating/5 share.

ABC's 20/20 special The Year With Katie Couric was up 7% from last year to a 1.6. Coupled with repeats, the network finished in third with a 1.5/4.

CBS' holiday special A Home for the Holidays With Rascal Flatts drew 0.9 rating from 8-9 p.m., and aired repeats the rest of the night to finish with a 1.1/3.

The CW aired the holiday movie Noel for a 0.3 rating.