Fast National ratings for Thursday, April 13, 2006

Absence apparently didn't make hearts grow fonder for "Commander In Chief," which returned with little fanfare to ABC Thursday. CBS scored a resounding ratings win, more than doubling the numbers its closest competitor.

For the night, CBS averaged a 12.1 rating/21 share, lapping second-place ABC, 4.7/8. A rerun-filled NBC lineup was third at 4.1/7. FOX took fourth with a 2.7/5, beating out The WB, 2.3/4, and UPN, 1.5/3.

The tale was pretty much the same in the adults 18-49 demographic, where CBS led with a 6.1 rating. NBC's 2.6 was good for second, inching past ABC's 2.5. FOX averaged 1.8 to take fourth. The WB, 1.7, was right behind in fifth, and UPN trailed with a 0.8.

CBS started the night with "Survivor: Exile Island," which drew a 9.1/17 at 8 p.m. The first of two hours of "American Inventor" posted a 4.1/7 for ABC, topping repeats of "Will & Grace" and "My Name Is Earl" on NBC. "Smallville," 2.4/5, put The WB in fourth, ahead of "That '70s Show," 2.4/5, and "The Loop," 2.2/4, on FOX. UPN brought up the rear with "Everybody Hates Chris" and "Love, Inc."

"CSI," 15.0/25, delivered the night's biggest audience for CBS at 9 p.m. "American Inventor" ticked up to 4.6/8 in its second hour. NBC stayed in third with a second "Earl," 4.5/8, and a rerun of "The Office," 3.6/6. "The O.C." delivered a 3.1/5 for FOX, putting it ahead of The WB's "Supernatural" and UPN's "Eve" and "Cuts."

The CBS dominance continued at 10 p.m. as "Without a Trace" scored a 12.3/21. "Commander In Chief" scored a 5.3/9 in its return, well below its average on Tuesdays earlier in the season. An "ER" rerun on NBC came in at 4.3/7.

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