Tough start for 'Friday Night Lights,' 'Veronica' OK

Fast National ratings for Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2006

The start of the baseball playoffs didn't do a whole lot for FOX Tuesday, and NBC's critically acclaimed "Friday Night Lights" got off to a slow start as well.

ABC won the night with a 9.5 rating/15 share. CBS, 7.8/12, took second, with NBC, 7.5/12, not far behind in third. FOX came in fourth at 5.1/8 (those numbers may change some because of its live baseball coverage), and The CW drew a 2.7/4.

The adults 18-49 crown also went to ABC, whose 4.1 rating edged NBC's 4.0 for the top spot. CBS finished third at 3.6. FOX averaged 2.5 and The CW 1.7.

"Dancing with the Stars," 11.4/19, won the 8 p.m. hour for ABC. CBS' "NCIS," 9.7/16, had its best numbers of the young season, possibly benefiting from the absence of FOX's "House." NBC was a distant third with the premiere of "Friday Night Lights," 4.7/7. FOX's coverage of the New York Yankees-Detroit Tigers playoff game was fourth for the hour. "Gilmore Girls" earned a 3.3/5 for The CW.

ABC held the lead at 9 p.m. with the conclusion of "Dancing," 13.2/20, and "Help Me Help You," 7.0/11. NBC's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" scored an 8.2/13 to tie for second with "The Unit" on CBS (the latter did better in total viewers). Baseball on FOX scored a 5.7/9, while the season premiere of "Veronica Mars" on The CW delivered a 2.1/3.

NBC's "Law & Order: SVU" dominated the 10 p.m. hour with a 9.5/16. "Boston Legal" was second for ABC at 7.1/12. The Yankees-Tigers game on FOX posted a 5.6/9, tying with CBS' "Smith."

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