ABC, CBS lead the night as NBC stumbles

Fast National ratings for Monday, Oct. 6, 2008

The decline of "Heroes" continued Monday as the show hit a new ratings low, leaving NBC well behind ABC and CBS for the night.

ABC led the overall ratings race with a 10.2 rating/16 share for the evening. CBS finished second at 7.4/11. NBC, 4.2/6, was well off the pace in third. FOX took fourth with a 3.5/5, while a night of repeats on The CW drew a 1.3/2.

CBS scored a victory among adults 18-49 with a 3.9 rating. ABC finished second in the key advertising demographic with a 3.7. NBC, 2.8, came in third, followed by FOX, 2.2, and The CW, 0.8.

"Dancing with the Stars," 11.8/18, put ABC on top by a wide margin at 8 p.m. CBS took second with " The Big Bang Theory," 6.0/9, and " How I Met Your Mother," 5.7/9. NBC's " Chuck" earned a 3.8/6, edging " Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" (3.5/5) on FOX. The CW aired a " Gossip Girl" rerun.

ABC stayed on top at 9 p.m. as "Dancing with the Stars" improved to 12.7/18. " Two and a Half Men," 8.7/13, and " Worst Week," 5.7/8, kept CBS in second. "Heroes" managed only a 5.0/7, its smallest rating ever for a new episode. "Prison Break" posted a 3.4/5 for FOX. A "Privileged" repeat finished the night for The CW.

"CSI: Miami," 9.1/15, moved CBS into the lead at 10 p.m. " Boston Legal" scored a 6.3/10 for ABC, and " Life" came in at 3.8/6 for 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.