CBS, ABC split the night's title while The CW's lineup tanks

Fast National ratings for Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008

The end of the afternoon's NFL games gave CBS a big ratings bounce Sunday, enough to carry it past NBC's prime-time telecast and ABC's regular lineup.

CBS averaged an 8.4 rating/13 share in primetime, beating ABC's 7.4/12 and NBC's 6.7/11 (the numbers for CBS and NBC might change some because of the live sports on their airwaves). FOX was fourth at 3.5/6/ The CW's new lineup barely made a ripple, drawing a 0.6/1.

ABC led the adults 18-49 demographic with a 4.1 rating, barely beating NBC's 4.0. CBS finished a close third at 3.8. FOX drew a 3.0, and The CW trailed at 0.4.

Late-ending NFL games and "60 Minutes" averaged 11.9/20 for CBS at 7 p.m. ABC finished a distant second with "America's Funniest Home Videos," 5.3/9. "Football Night in America" earned a 3.7/6 for NBC. A pair of "King of the Hill" reruns scored a 2.2/4 for FOX. The CW was well off the pace with "In Harm's Way."

CBS held the lead at 8 p.m. as "60 Minutes" and "The Amazing Race" combined for an 8.4/13. NBC's "Sunday Night Football," 7.3/11, took second, narrowly beating the 7.2/11 for "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" on ABC. "The Simpsons," 4.2/7, and "King of the Hill," 3.8/6, held onto fourth for FOX. The premiere "Valentine" won few hearts for The CW.

"Desperate Housewives," 10.0/15, grabbed the lead for ABC at 9 p.m. "Sunday Night Football," featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars, stayed in second, topping the 6.7/10 for "The Amazing Race" and "Cold Case" on CBS. FOX finished its night with "Family Guy," 4.9/7, and "American Dad," 4.0/6. The debut of "Easy Money" posted a 0.7/1 for The CW.

The Steelers-Jaguars game posted a 7.4/12 for NBC at 10 p.m. ABC's "Brothers & Sisters," 7.1/12, finished second in households, but "Cold Case" and "The Unit" (6.7/11) had a few more total viewers.

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.