Fast National ratings for Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008

The second of three presidential debates drew another large audience Tuesday. ABC used that, and the voting results on "Dancing with the Stars," to grab the night's top spot.

ABC averaged an 8.4 rating/13 share in primetime -- although those numbers will change some because of the live debate and the fact that "Dancing" aired at 8 p.m. in the eastern half of the country and 9 p.m. Pacific time. CBS took second at 7.1/11. NBC's 5.4/8 was good enough for third. FOX, 3.6/5, came in fourth, and The CW trailed with a 1.9/3.

The adults 18-49 victory also went to ABC, which scored a 3.6 rating in the demo. NBC finished second at 3.2, followed by CBS at 2.9. FOX averaged 2.3 and The CW 1.4.

"NCIS" drew a 9.7/15 for CBS at 8 p.m. "Dancing with the Stars" (and local programming out West) put ABC in second at 9.0/14. "The Biggest Loser" snagged third for NBC, beating a "House" rerun, 4.0/6, on FOX. The CW got a 2.2/3 from "90210."

The debate took over the airwaves at 9 p.m. ABC earned a 9.3/13 for the hour (that number includes the "Dancing" results on the West Coast). NBC, 6.1/9, narrowly beat CBS, 5.9/9, for second. FOX's debate coverage finished fourth, while "Privileged" posted a 1.6/2 for The CW.

ABC scored a 7.0/11 at 10 p.m. with the conclusion of the debate and analysis. CBS, 5.5/9, moved in front of NBC, 5.4/9, for the hour.

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.