http://www.zap2it.com/tv/ratings/zap-ratings092106,0,2646665.story
ABC Changes 'Anatomy' of Thursday
'Grey's' premiere thumps 'CSI' in closely watched race
Zap2It.com
September 22 2006
Fast National ratings for Thursday, Sept. 21, 2006
ABC loudly announced its arrival as a competitor on Thursday, as "Grey's Anatomy" unseated "CSI" as the night's top show -- at least for this week -- and helped the network claim a share of the ratings crown.
For the night, ABC averaged an 11.2 rating/18 share. CBS was a close second at 11.0/17 and actually won the night among total viewers with 18.08 million to ABC's 17.31 million. NBC came in third with a 7.4/12. FOX, 2.9/5, finished fourth, and The CW trailed with a 1.6/2.
ABC claimed an outright victory among adults 18-49 with a 7.2 rating. CBS, 6.0, took second in the demographic advertisers love most, while NBC came in third with a solid 4.8. There was a substantial drop to fourth-place FOX, 1.6, and The CW, which posted a 1.0.
"Survivor: Cook Islands" put CBS on top at 8 p.m. with a 9.8/16. A "Grey's Anatomy" clip show on ABC was a strong second at 9.2/15. NBC was third with season premieres of "My Name Is Earl," 5.8/10, and "The Office," 5.7/9 (which actually built on its lead-in a little in total viewers and 18-49). "'Til Death," 3.9/6, and "Happy Hour," 3.0/5, were fourth for FOX. The CW went with a "Smallville" rerun.
At 9 p.m., the "Grey's Anatomy" season premiere, 15.7/23, scored a rather shocking win over CBS' "CSI," 13.5/20, which has dominated the timeslot for several years. "Deal or No Deal" was a distant third for NBC at 6.5/10. "Celebrity Duets" slumped to a 2.4/4 for FOX. A "Supernatural" rerun on The CW trailed.
Another medical drama, NBC's "ER," won the 10 p.m. hour with a 10.0/16. The premiere of "Shark" on CBS averaged 9.8/16. ABC's "Six Degrees" lost a big chunk of its lead-in to finish at 8.6/14.
Ratings information is taken from fast national data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change.
