Fast National ratings for Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Ratings for "American Idol" fell off a good deal Tuesday, but FOX still won the night by a wide margin.

FOX averaged a 12.1 rating/19 share in primetime, beating second-place ABC, 8.2/13, by some 8 million viewers. NBC finished third with a 5.2/8. CBS drew a 4.6/7 to take fourth, and The CW trailed with a 1.2/2.

FOX also ruled the adults 18-49 demographic with an 8.3 rating. ABC finished a distant second at 3.0, just ahead of NBC's 2.9. CBS averaged 2.0 and The CW 0.7.

"American Idol" led the 8 p.m. hour with a 13.6/21 and was down about 11 percent in total viewers (23.8 million vs. 27.2 million) compared to the same hour last week. ABC took second with a recap of Monday's "Dancing with the Stars," 6.8/11. An "NCIS" repeat, 6.1/10, put CBS in third. "The Biggest Loser" came in fourth for NBC, while "Beauty and the Geek" earned a 1.2/2 for The CW.

ABC led in households at 9 p.m. with the "Dancing with the Stars" results show, 10.8/16. FOX, however, brought in more total viewers (and a much better 18-49 rating) with the conclusion of "American Idol," 14.6/22, and "'Til Death," 6.5/10. "The Biggest Loser," 5.5/8, moved NBC into third, ahead of "Big Brother," 3.8/6, on CBS. The CW held steady with "Reaper."

The "Dancing" lead-in helped ABC's "Primetime," 7.0/12, grab the top spot at 10 p.m. A "Law & Order: SVU" rerun on NBC earned a 5.7/10, while the finale of "Jericho" on CBS posted a 3.8/6.

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