NBC, CBS, FOX split up not very large pie

Fast National ratings for Friday, Feb. 1, 2008

The stakes weren't especially high in Friday's TV ratings, but the race turned out to be an awfully close one.

NBC, CBS and FOX all posted a 4.4 rating/8 share among households for the night, and the total-viewer numbers were nearly a dead-heat as well: NBC led with 6.79 million viewers, followed by FOX, 6.71 million, and CBS, 6.7 million. ABC came in fourth with a 3.4/6, and The CW earned a 2.8/5.

There was a tie for the lead among adults 18-49 as well -- NBC and FOX both averaged a 2.0 rating. CBS was next at 1.6, and ABC and The CW tied at 1.4.

NBC's "1 vs. 100" led the 8 p.m. hour with a 5.1/9. A "Ghost Whisperer" rerun, 4.7/8, put CBS in second, while FOX's "Bones" was third at 3.7/6. A "Grey's Anatomy" repeat on ABC took fourth in households, but "Friday Night Smackdown!," 2.7/5, brought a few more total viewers to The CW.

A "House" repeat, 5.1/8, moved FOX to the top spot at 9 p.m. CBS' "Moonlight," 3.9/7, beat out NBC's "Friday Night Lights," 3.7/6, for second. "Smackdown!" improved by a couple tenths of a point to keep The CW ahead of ABC and "Desperate Housewives," 2.5/4.

At 10 p.m., ABC's "20/20" led in households with a 4.7/8, but CBS' "Numb3rs," 4.6/8, and NBC's "Las Vegas," 4.5/8, had more total viewers.

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