Fast National ratings for Wednesday, May 21, 2008

The finale of "American Idol" produced an unexpected winner, but its domination of the night's Nielsens was entirely expected.

FOX averaged a 17.3 rating/27 share in primetime. That translated to about 30.6 million viewers -- up a bit from the 29.5 million who watched the 2007 finale. CBS was the best of the rest at 6.9/11. NBC, 4.4/7, came in third, followed by ABC at 2.9/5. The CW drew a 1.2/2.

In the adults 18-49 demographic, FOX's 11.0 rating beat the combined total of the other four networks (and was on par with last year's figure). CBS took second with a 2.7. NBC's 1.7 beat ABC's 1.2 for third, and The CW trailed at 0.6.

"American Idol" earned a 15.5/26 at 8 p.m. with the first half of its two-hour finale. "The Price Is Right Million Dollar Spectacular," 5.0/8, put CBS in second. A "Law & Order" repeat on NBC delivered a 3.8/6, topping the 2.3/4 for a "Lost" rerun on ABC. The CW aired a "Farmer Wants a Wife" rerun.

The "Idol" finale improved to 19.1/29 at 9 p.m., peaking at 36.34 million viewers in its final half-hour as David Cook was named this year's winner over David Archuleta. The season finale of "Criminal Minds," 8.2/13, finished a healthy second for CBS. A second "Law & Order" kept NBC ahead of ABC and "Lost," 2.0/3. Another hour of "Farmer Wants a Wife" posted a 1.2/2 for The CW.

At 10 p.m., "CSI: NY" ended its season with a 7.5/12 for CBS. The season finale of "Law & Order" scored a 5.9/10 for NBC. "Boston Legal" came in at 4.2/7 for ABC.

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