'CSI' tops 'Grey's' in viewers, 'Betty' looks pretty

Fast National ratings for Thursday, Sept. 28, 2006

"Ugly Betty" got off to a strong start for ABC Thursday, but CBS reclaimed its spot at the night's most-watched network and closed the gap with the Alphabet considerably in the all-important adults 18-49 demographic.

CBS averaged an 11.1 rating/17 share for the night among households, just beating ABC's 11.0/17 (the Eye's lead in viewers was larger, 18.27 million to 16.74 million for ABC). NBC finished third at 6.8/11. FOX, 3.2/5, held off The CW, 2.6/4, for fourth.

ABC led the way among adults 18-49 with a 6.2 rating (down from last week's 7.2), with CBS right behind at 6.0. NBC took third with a 4.3, and FOX and The CW tied for fourth at 1.9.

The premiere of the critically hailed "Ugly Betty" scored a 10.7/17 for ABC at 8 p.m. "Survivor: Cook Islands," 9.6/15, was second in households for CBS but won the hour in viewers and adults 18-49. "My Name Is Earl," 5.2/8, and "The Office," 4.8/7, were a distant third for NBC. FOX came in fourth with two episodes of "'Til Death." The sixth-season premiere of "Smallville" delivered a 2.9/5 for The CW.

"Grey's Anatomy" scored a 14.9/22 for ABC at 9 p.m., although CBS' "CSI," 14.1/21, had a narrow lead among total viewers (23.49 million to 23.31 million). NBC stayed in third with "Deal or No Deal." The final performances on FOX's "Celebrity Duets," 2.8/4, topped the season premiere of "Supernatural," 2.2/3, on The CW.

At 10 p.m., CBS' "Shark" and NBC's "ER" tied for the lead at 9.5/16, with CBS once again slightly ahead in viewers. ABC's "Six Degrees" came in at 7.3/11.

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