'Rudolph' points the way to a demo win for CBS

Fast National ratings for Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008

A decent performance from "Law & Order" helped NBC grab Wednesday's overall ratings crown, while an odd mix of specials on CBS captured a demographic victory.

NBC led the night with a 6.4 rating/10 share, beating out CBS' 5.3/9. FOX took third with a 4.6/7. ABC, 4.2/7, came in fourth, and The CW was well back at 1.0/2.

In the adults 18-49 demo, CBS snagged the top spot with a 3.4 rating. FOX, 2.6, narrowly beat NBC, 2.5, for second. ABC drew a 1.9 and The CW a 0.5.

CBS' annual showing of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (6.2/10) led the 8 p.m. hours in viewers and adults 18-49, even though NBC's "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" special had a better household rating (6.5/10). The premiere of "Secret Millionaire" drew a 4.2/7 for FOX. "Pushing Daisies" mustered only a 3.2/5 for ABC, but that was still good enough to beat a "Stylista" repeat on The CW.

At 9 p.m., ABC's "Private Practice" had the best household rating at 5.4/8. Both NBC's "Life," 5.3/8, and a second hour of "Secret Millionaire," 5.0/8, however, had more total viewers. CBS dropped to fourth with the "Grammy Nominations Concert." A new "Stylista" earned a 1.0/2 for The CW.

"Law & Order" posted a 7.5/13 for NBC at 10 p.m. "The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show," 5.4/9, gave CBS second place (and topped the 18-49 demo for the hour), ahead of "Dirty Sexy Money," 4.0/7, on ABC.

Ratings information is taken from fast national data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change.