Fast National ratings for Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008

CBS cruised to a ratings victory Wednesday night thanks once again to its crime dramas, while ABC got no relief for its slate of sophomore dramas.

For the night, CBS averaged an 8.4 rating/14 share, leaving the other networks in the dust. FOX finished a distant second at 4.6/7. ABC, 4.2/7, came in third, a little ahead of NBC, 3.9/6. The CW earned a 2.1/3.

CBS also ruled the adults 18-49 demographic with a 3.6 rating. The rest of the Big Four were tightly bunched, with FOX, 2.4, edging NBC, 2.3, and ABC, 2.2, for second. The CW trailed with a 1.3.

"Bones" led the 8 p.m. hour for FOX with a 6.4/10. CBS took second with "The New Adventures of Old Christine," 5.1/9, and "Gary Unmarried," 4.9/8. "Knight Rider" came in third for NBC, beating out the 3.6/6 for "Pushing Daisies" on ABC. "America's Next Top Model" delivered a 2.8/5 for The CW.

CBS zoomed to the top at 9 p.m. with "Criminal Minds," the night's most-watched show at 10.1/16. No one else was really close, but ABC's "Private Practice" finished second at 5.0/8. "The Biggest Loser" earned a 4.2/7 for NBC. An hour of "'Til Death" averaged 2.9/4 for FOX, beating a "90210" encore on The CW.

"CSI: NY" dominated the 10 p.m. hour, drawing a 10.0/17 for CBS. ABC got a 4.1/7 from "Dirty Sexy Money," which was good enough to beat the 3.3/6 for "Lipstick Jungle" on 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.