TV Ratings: CBS Steels Sunday Win from Globes, '24'

Zap2It.com | January 12, 2009

Jim Nantz

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Steelers-Chargers playoff game enough to give CBS the top spot

Fast National ratings for Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009

The Golden Globes returned to at least some of their past glory, and "24" got off to a solid start, but an NFL playoff game helped CBS grab the night's ratings crown.

CBS averaged a 10.2 rating/16 share for the night (including live sports, so its numbers will probably change some). NBC took second with an 8.2/12. ABC, 6.2/10, came in third, followed by FOX at 5.5/8. The CW mustered only a 0.7/1.

In the adults 18-49 demographic, CBS' 4.9 rating led the field, topping NBC's 4.1. ABC, 3.5, edged FOX, 3.4, for third, while The CW was way back at 0.4.

The conclusion of the Pittsburgh Steelers-San Diego Chargers playoff game on CBS scored a huge 17.1/27 at 7 p.m. NBC took second in households with its Golden Globes red carpet special, 4.8/9, but ABC drew more viewers with "America's Funniest Home Videos," 4.7/7. A pair of "Simpsons" reruns averaged 2.4/4 for FOX. The CW aired a "Jericho" repeat.

CBS held the overall lead at 8 p.m. as "60 Minutes," 9.6/14, narrowly beat the first hour of the Golden Globes, 9.4/14 (NBC did lead among adults 18-49). The long-delayed seventh season of "24" debuted to a 7.0/10 on FOX. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" earned a 5.9/9 for ABC. The CW went with a showing of the movie "Carrie."

The Golden Globes dipped to 9.0/13 at 9 p.m. but won the hour for NBC over ABC's "Desperate Housewives," 8.5/13. "Cold Case," 7.8/11, gave CBS third place in households, but "24," 7.1/10, brought more viewers to FOX. The CW finished its night with the conclusion of "Carrie."

At 10 p.m., the Golden Globes peaked with a 9.4/15. "The Unit," 6.5/11, grabbed second for CBS over ABC's "Brothers & Sisters," 5.8/9.

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