ABC Waltzes to Monday Win

Zap2It.com | March 18, 2008

'Dancing with the Stars' hosts Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris

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'Dancing with the Stars' tops night; CBS comedies return to solid ratings

Fast National ratings for Monday, March 17, 2008

The return of CBS' comedies gave the network a boost Monday, but ABC and the "Dancing with the Stars" season premiere carried the night.

ABC averaged a 9.5 rating/15 share for the evening. CBS came in second with a 6.7/11, topping NBC's 5.1/8. FOX came in fourth with a 4.1/7, and The CW trailed with a 1.2/2.

In the adults 18-49 demographic, ABC's 4.4 rating led the way. CBS was a solid second at 3.9. NBC, 2.5, took third, followed by FOX, 2.0, and The CW, 0.7.

"Dancing with the Stars" delivered a 13.3/22 for ABC at 8 p.m. The return of "The Big Bang Theory," 5.5/9, and "How I Met Your Mother," 5.9/9, put CBS in second. "Canterbury's Law," 3.7/6, was third for FOX, beating out "My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad," 3.0/5, on NBC. A "Gossip Girl" repeat on The CW brought up the rear.

The conclusion of "Dancing," 13.3/20, and the premiere of "The Bachelor: London Calling," 6.3/10, kept ABC on top at 9 p.m. CBS stayed in second with "Two and a Half Men," 8.5/13, and "The New Adventures of Old Christine," 7.2/11. NBC's "Deal or No Deal" built heavily on its lead-in, drawing a 6.2/10. "New Amsterdam" drew a 4.6/7 for FOX. The CW went with "The Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious."

At 10 p.m., a "CSI: Miami" rerun on CBS led in households with a 6.5/11. NBC, however, had a slight edge in total viewers with "Medium," 6.3/11. "The Bachelor: London Calling" wrapped up with a 5.6/9.

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