Fast National ratings for Wednesday, July 16, 2008

CBS got some decent ratings for its crime procedurals Wednesday, but they weren't enough to derail FOX's "Dance" party.

FOX averaged a 5.5 rating/10 share for the night, beating out CBS' 5.3/9. ABC finished third in households at 3.4/6, although NBC, 3.1/6, had a few more total viewers. The CW pulled in a meager 0.8/1.

FOX easily won the adults 18-49 demographic with a 3.0 rating. CBS took second at 1.9, followed closely by NBC at 1.8. ABC averaged 1.5 and The CW 0.4.

The first hour of "So You Think You Can Dance" drew a 5.3/10 at 8 p.m. CBS grabbed second with "Big Brother," 4.0/7. "Wife Swap," 2.9/5, put ABC in third among households, although NBC's "Baby Borrowers" rerun (2.7/5) had more viewers. The CW aired an "America's Next Top Model" rerun.

At 9 p.m., CBS' "Criminal Minds" rerun scored a 6.1/10. "So You Think You Can Dance" improved to 5.7/10 and led the hour in viewers and adults 18-49. A new "Baby Borrowers" delivered a 3.7/6 for NBC, topping the 2.8/5 for "Supernanny" on ABC. A "Girlicious" rerun aired on The CW.

CBS took sole possession of the lead at 10 p.m. with "CSI: NY," 5.7/10. "Primetime: Crime" posted a 4.6/8 for ABC, and "Celebrity Circus" earned a 3.0/5 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.