Fast National ratings for Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Even though "American Idol" had its smallest Tuesday audience of the season, FOX still coasted to a ratings win.

FOX led the night with a 9.6 rating/15 share, holding off ABC's 8.4/13 for the top spot. CBS finished third at 6.9/11. NBC, 4.2/7, came in fourth, and The CW trailed with a 1.4/2.

Among adults 18-49, FOX's 6.7 rating ruled the night, more than doubling second-place ABC's 3.0. CBS, 2.3, finished third, followed by NBC, 2.1, and The CW, 0.9.

"American Idol" posted a 12.5/20 at 8 p.m.; its 21.25 million viewers were the smallest for a Tuesday installment of the show this season. CBS took second for the hour with "NCIS," 8.8/14. A "Dancing with the Stars" special marking the 100th episode drew a 7.2/11 for ABC. "Most Outrageous Moments," 2.7/4, put NBC in fourth, ahead of "Beauty and the Geek" on The CW.

ABC took the overall lead at 9 p.m. with the "Dancing with the Stars" results show, 12.0/18. CBS' "Shark" was second in households at 6.8/10, but "Hell's Kitchen," 6.7/10, brought more viewers to FOX (and led the hour in adults 18-49). A "Law & Order: SVU" rerun on NBC came in fourth. "Reaper" scored a 1.6/2 for The CW.

A new "Law & Order: SVU" delivered a 7.0/12 for NBC at 10 p.m., good enough to win the hour over "Women's Murder Club," 6.1/10, on ABC. A "CSI: Miami" rerun posted a 5.2/9 for CBS.

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