Fast National ratings for Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008

Ratings for the Academy Awards were off Sunday, but ABC still dominated the night.

ABC averaged a 15.5 rating/24 share in primetime (because the Oscars aired live nationwide, those numbers will change in the final nationals). That's down a good amount from last year's telecast, which scored a 20.1/30 in the fast nationals. FOX was a distant second at 5.4/8, followed by CBS at 4.8/7. NBC, 3.1/5, was fourth, and The CW trailed with a 0.7/1.

The Oscars also held sway among adults 18-49, with ABC drawing an 8.4 rating in primetime. FOX took second at 3.7. CBS came in third at 2.0, followed by NBC, 1.3, and The CW, 0.4.

ABC's annual pre-Oscars "Barbara Walters Special" earned a 9.9/16 at 7 p.m. (West Coast viewers saw the special after the Oscar telecast). CBS took second with "60 Minutes," 7.0/12. FOX's coverage of the NASCAR Auto Club 500 scored a 5.8/9. NBC kicked off a "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" marathon with a 2.4/4. The CW went with "CW Now" and an "Everybody Hates Chris" rerun.

The Oscar red-carpet show, 16.1/24, and the start of the awards ceremony, 19.1/28, increased ABC's lead at 8 p.m. FOX's NASCAR coverage improved to 6.1/9. The second "Criminal Intent" episode earned a 3.6/6 for NBC, edging "Big Brother: 'Til Death Do You Part" on CBS. A second "Everybody Hates Chris" and "Aliens in America" averaged 0.8/1 for The CW.

At 9 p.m., the Academy Awards, hosted by Jon Stewart, pulled down an 18.1/27. CBS moved up to second in households with a "Cold Case" rerun, 4.5/7. With rain washing out the NASCAR race, FOX switched to a "Simpsons" rerun at 9:30, averaging 4.4/6 for the hour. "Criminal Intent" posted a 3.2/5 for NBC. The CW finished its night with "Girlfriends" and "The Game."

The Oscars slipped to 16.3/26 at 10 p.m., though ABC was still far and away the leader for the hour (the telecast ended about 11:45). "Dexter" posted a 4.2/7 for CBS, while the conclusion of the "Criminal Intent" marathon on NBC drew a 3.4/5.

On Saturday, FOX and CBS tied for first in households at 3.8/7, with FOX drawing more viewers. ABC averaged 2.9/5 and NBC 2.6/5.

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.