Crime dramas lead CBS to top of heap

Fast National ratings for Thursday, Sept. 27, 2007

The resolution of a "CSI" cliffhanger propelled CBS to a ratings win Thursday, beating out "Grey's Anatomy" and ABC.

For the night, CBS averaged an 11.3 rating/18 share to top ABC's 9.4/15 (the two were separate by about 4 million viewers). NBC came in third with a 5.7/9. FOX, 4.2/7, finished fourth, while The CW drew a 2.4/4.

CBS also won the adults 18-49 demographic -- narrowly -- scoring a 5.8 rating to edge ABC's 5.7. NBC was a healthy third at 4.3, while FOX, 1.9, and The CW, 1.4, were well off the pace.

"Survivor: China" gave CBS the lead at 8 p.m. with an 8.4/14. The season premiere of "Ugly Betty" delivered a 7.4/12 for ABC. An hour-long season opener for "My Name Is Earl," 5.3/9, put NBC in third. FOX took fourth with "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" The CW got a 3.1/5 from the season premiere of "Smallville."

"CSI" scored a 14.8/22 at 9 p.m. as the fate of Sara Sidle was revealed. "Grey's Anatomy" began its season with a 13.0/20 on ABC (it did, however, snag the night's best 18-49 rating). NBC's hour-long "Office" earned a 5.4/8. FOX stayed in fourth with "Don't Forget the Lyrics," 3.6/5, and The CW repeated the "Reaper" premiere.

CBS closed its sweep of the night with "Without a Trace," 10.9/18. ABC's "Big Shots" premiered to a 7.8/13, beating the 6.4/11 for the season premiere of "ER" 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.