Eye takes night in viewers, nearly beats ABC in demo

Fast National ratings for Thursday, May 8, 2008

CBS' crime dramas led it to another overall ratings win Thursday, and they nearly unseated ABC at the top of the adults 18-49 rankings as well.

For the night, CBS averaged a 9.5 rating/16 share. ABC came in second with a 7.7/13. FOX and NBC tied for third in households at 4.4/7, with FOX bringing in more total viewers (6.98 million to 6.58 million for NBC). The CW earned a 2.1/3.

In the adults 18-49 demographic, ABC's 4.4 rating just beat CBS' 4.3 for the top spot. NBC, 2.8, took third. FOX averaged 2.0 and The CW 1.3.

CBS grabbed the lead at 8 p.m. with "Survivor: Micronesia - Fans vs. Favorites," 7.7/13. ABC's "Ugly Betty" drew a 5.6/9 to take second, beating "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" on FOX. "My Name Is Earl," 4.1/7, and the finale of "Scrubs," 3.7/6, put NBC in fourth, while "Smallville" delivered a 2.5/4 for The CW.

The back half of a "CSI"-"Two and a Half Men" writer crossover scored an 11.2/17 for CBS at 9 p.m. "Grey's Anatomy," 10.4/16, improved a touch over last week and kept ABC in second. There was a big drop to third-place NBC, which featured "The Office," 4.7/7, and the season finale of "30 Rock," 3.6/6. "Don't Forget the Lyrics," 3.9/6, was fourth for FOX. "Supernatural" finished the night for The CW.

"Without a Trace" posted a 9.7/16 -- up substantially from last week -- for CBS at 10 p.m. "Lost," 7.0/12, held onto second for ABC. "ER" drew a 5.3/9 for NBC.

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