Show's second night down only slightly from premiere

Fast National ratings for Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2007

The second installment of "American Idol's" sixth season didn't quite live up to Tuesday's premiere, but it still obliterated the competition Wednesday.

FOX scored a 20.2 rating/30 share in primetime, just slightly below Tuesday's performance. CBS was a distant second at 7.1/11, and NBC finished third at 5.0/8. ABC came in fourth at 4.0/6, and The CW trailed with a 1.8/3.

The adults 18-49 demographic also tilted heavily to FOX, which drew a 15.4 rating for the night. CBS was the best of the rest at 3.1, followed by NBC, 2.2; ABC, 2.1; and The CW, 1.2.

The first hour of "Idol" racked up an 18.8/28 at 8 p.m. Way, way back in second was ABC, which averaged 4.3/7 with two episodes of "According to Jim." CBS' "Armed & Famous" took third with a 3.9/6. NBC aired a rerun of "Friday Night Lights," which topped The CW's "Beauty and the Geek," 2.1/3.

FOX improved to 21.6/31 with the second hour of "Idol" at 9 p.m. CBS jumped up to second with "Criminal Minds," 8.6/12. "Deal or No Deal," 5.7/8, was third for NBC. ABC slipped to fourth with "The Knights of Prosperity," 2.6/4, and "In Case of Emergency," 2.3/3. The CW went with "One Tree Hill."

At 10 p.m., "CSI: NY" put CBS on top with an 8.9/14. "Medium" drew a 6.0/10 for NBC, beating out ABC's "Primetime," 5.2/8.

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