'Numb3rs' is strong and 'Moonlight' stays steady

Fast National ratings for Friday, April 25, 2008.

With the return of "Moonlight," all three of CBS' Friday dramas are now back in original episodes, helping the network to easily tame the otherwise sluggish competition.

Overall, CBS had a 5.6 rating/10 share, well ahead of second place NBC's 4.0/7 and the 3.0/5 for third place ABC. FOX had a 2.6/5 for fourth, followed closely by the 2.4/4 for The CW.

Things weren't much closer among adults 18-49, as CBS' 2.2 rating in the key demo was solidly in front of the 1.6 rating for NBC. FOX and The CW both had 1.3 demo ratings, leaving ABC in fifth with a 1.2 rating.

CBS swept the night's primetime hours starting with the 5.7/11 for "Ghost Whisperer." ABC was second with a 3.3/7 for "America's Funniest Home Videos." NBC was third with an hour of "Most Outrageous TV Moments." The FOX movie "13 Going on 30" had a 2.5/5 to nip the 2.2/4 for The CW's "WWE Friday Night Smackdown."

At 9 p.m. the return of "Moonlight" did a 5.0/9, down from its lead-in, but very much in line with the vampire drama's average performance this season. NBC moved up to second with a 4.8/9 for "Dateline." FOX's movie was up to a 2.8/5, just ahead of The CW's wrestling for third. ABC's "Duel" was last with a 2.4/4.

The night's highest ratings went to CBS' "Num3rs," which had a 6.1/11 in the 10 p.m. hour. NBC was second with the 4.5/8 for "Dateline" and ABC's "20/20" took third.

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