Prime-time CBS news, 'Life on Mars' both scuffle

Fast National ratings for Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009

FOX cruised to another ratings win Wednesday night, while a prime-time edition of the "CBS Evening News" and "Life on Mars" both struggled in unfamiliar timeslots.

FOX scored an 11.1 rating/17 share for the night, and had more than double the amount of total viewers for second-place CBS (5.6/9). NBC took third in households with a 4.7/7, but ABC, 4.6/7, had more total viewers. The CW managed only a 0.8/1.

The adults 18-49 crown also went to FOX, which delivered a 7.2 in the demographic. ABC took second at 2.9. NBC, 2.1, edged CBS, 2.0, for third, and The CW was well off the pace at 0.4.

"American Idol" snagged a 15.0/23 for FOX at 8 p.m., up from Tuesday's show. "Knight Rider," 3.8/6, finished a distant second for NBC. A rerun of "Lost" drew a 3.7/6 for FOX. CBS came in fourth with the prime-time "CBS Evening News," 4.2/6, and an "Old Christine" rerun, 3.3/5. The CW aired a "Privileged" repeat.

FOX held the lead at 9 p.m. with "Lie to Me," 7.1/11. A "Criminal Minds" rerun on CBS, 6.7/10, took second in households, but ABC's "Lost," 6.4/10, had more total viewers (and also led the hour among adults 18-49). A "Law & Order: SVU" repeat, 4.4/7, was fourth for NBC. A "90210" encore ran on The CW.

A "CSI: NY" rerun, 6.2/10, put CBS on top at 10 p.m. NBC's "Law & Order" was right behind at 5.9/10. "Life on Mars" fell significantly from its lead-in to finish with a 4.0/7.

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