CBS wins the night, but FOX is the demo king

Fast National ratings for Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008

A solid opening for "The Mentalist" helped CBS capture Tuesday's overall ratings title, but FOX kept its hold on the 18-49 demographic.

CBS averaged a 9.5 rating/15 share in primetime, narrowly beating ABC's 9.2/14. FOX came in third with a 6.7/10. NBC's 5.2/8 was good for fourth, and The CW trailed with a 1.7/3.

FOX grabbed the top spot among adults 18-49 with a 4.5 rating. ABC finished second in the demographic at 3.7. CBS, 3.3, edged NBC, 3.2, for third. The CW drew a 1.2.

The season premiere of "NCIS," 11.2/18, put CBS on top at 8 p.m. "House" delivered a 7.4/12 for FOX and won the hour among adults 18-49. "The Biggest Loser: Families" put NBC in third, ahead of a soft premiere for ABC's game show "Opportunity Knocks," 4.2/7. The CW got a 2.1/3 from "90210."

ABC took over at 9 p.m. with "Dancing with the Stars," 11.5/17. The premiere of "The Mentalist" drew a 9.9/15 for CBS, retaining better than 85 percent of its lead-in audience. "Fringe" posted a 6.0/9, keeping FOX in front of NBC and "The Biggest Loser," 4.9/7. "Privileged" closed out the evening for The CW.

"Dancing with the Stars" improved to 11.9/19 at 10 p.m. The season premiere of "Without a Trace," 7.8/12, on CBS, topped NBC's "Law & Order: SVU" opener, 6.3/10.

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