Fast National ratings for Monday, May 19, 2008

A close ratings race on Monday night ended with FOX on top, with its season finales outpacing those of ABC and CBS.

Although ABC led the night in households with an 8.2 rating/13 share, FOX (8.1/12) and CBS (7.8/12) each fared better among total viewers. FOX led with 13.16 million, followed by CBS, 12.42 million, and ABC, 12.16 million. NBC finished a distant fourth at 3.3/5, and The CW trailed with a 2.1/3.

FOX led among adults 18-49 with a 4.5 rating. CBS, 4.0, came in second, beating out ABC's 3.4. NBC averaged 1.8 and The CW 1.5.

The final performances on "Dancing with the Stars" scored a 12.3/20 for ABC at 8 p.m. The season finale of "Bones" earned a 6.3/10 for FOX, topping "The Big Bang Theory," 4.7/8, and "How I Met Your Mother," 4.9/8, on CBS. "American Gladiators" took fourth for ABC, with the finale of "Gossip Girl," 2.0/3, not far behind on The CW.

"House," 9.9/15, put FOX in front at 9 p.m. The season finales of "Two and a Half Men," 9.1/14, and "Rules of Engagement," 7.6/11, gave CBS the No. 2 spot. The premiere of "The Bachelorette," 6.7/10, took third for ABC. "Dateline" kept NBC in fourth. The season finale of "One Tree Hill" delivered a 2.1/3 for The CW.

At 10 p.m., CBS' "CSI: Miami" ended its season with a 10.3/17. "The Bachelorette" cooled to 5.6/9 in its second hour, while "Dateline" improved 4.6/7 on 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.