Catch-up specials for 'Housewives,' 'Grey's' carry Alphabet

Fast National ratings for Sunday, April 23, 2006

ABC treated viewers Sunday to a pair of clip shows for its two big dramas, but the specials were enough to give the network a narrow ratings win.

ABC averaged a 7.7 rating/13 share for the night to hold off CBS, 7.5/12, for the top spot. NBC finished third with a 5.9/10. FOX, 3.8/6, came in fourth, and The WB trailed with a 1.4/2.

The Alphabet had a bigger lead among adults 18-49, where it posted a 4.6 rating. FOX took second in the key demographic with a 2.8, followed by NBC, 2.6, and CBS, 2.4. The WB was back of the pack with a 0.9.

CBS began the night on top with "60 Minutes," which scored a 7.5/14 at 7 p.m. "America's Funniest Home Videos" was second for ABC with a 4.8/9. "Dateline" was third for NBC. "Malcolm in the Middle" and "King of the Hill" averaged 2.1/4 for FOX. The WB went with an hour of "Reba."

"Cold Case," 8.2/13, kept CBS in the lead at 8 p.m. ABC stayed in second with an "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" repeat. "The West Wing," 5.5/9, kept NBC in third. "The Simpsons," 4.4/7, and "The War at Home," 4.0/6, were fourth for FOX. "Charmed" averaged 2.0/3 for The WB.

The "Desperate Housewives" clip show delivered a 10.4/16 for ABC at 9 p.m. CBS slipped to second with the movie "In From the Night," 7.3/11, edging NBC's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," 7.1/11 (NBC actually had more total viewers for the hour). FOX closed its night with "Family Guy," 4.9/7, and "American Dad," 4.5/7. The WB went with a "Pepper Dennis" repeat.

At 10 p.m., the "Grey's Anatomy" special scored a 9.6/15. NBC moved into sole possession of second with "Crossing Jordan," 7.4/12. CBS' movie concluded with a 7.1/11.

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