ABC gets a share of the demo crown

Fast National ratings for Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008

NBC's prime-time NFL game brought home some of its lowest ratings ever Sunday, but afternoon football helped carry CBS to the top of the heap.

CBS averaged an 8.6 rating/14 share for the night, thanks in large part to late-afternoon games bleeding into primetime. ABC took second with a 6.9/11. NBC managed only a 4.8/8 to finish third, beating out FOX's 3.9/6. The CW was its usual irrelevant self, coming in at 0.5/1.

ABC and CBS each drew a 3.7 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic. FOX, 3.2, finished third, followed by NBC at 2.8. The CW barely registered.

NFL overruns and "60 Minutes" scored a 12.6/21 for CBS at 7 p.m. ABC was a distant second with "America's Funniest Home Videos," 4.9/9. "Football Night in America" earned a 3.4/6 for NBC. A pair of "Simpsons" reruns averaged 2.8/5 for FOX, while The CW went with "In Harm's Way."

CBS held the lead at 8 p.m. as "60 Minutes" and "The Amazing Race" combined for an 8.3/13. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," 6.4/10, kept ABC in second. NBC's "Sunday Night Football" was well off its usual numbers at 5.0/8. FOX came in fourth overall, but led the hour in adults 18-49, with "The Simpsons," 4.7/7, and "King of the Hill," 4.2/6. "Valentine" brought up the rear for The CW.

"Desperate Housewives," 9.6/14, moved ABC into the lead at 9 p.m. CBS fell back to second with "The Amazing Race" and "Cold Case," 6.7/10. The NFL game between Tampa Bay and Seattle improved some to 5.7/8 for NBC. "Family Guy," 5.2/8, and "American Dad," 3.9/6, closed the night for FOX. "Easy Money" aired on The CW.

At 10 p.m., the conclusion of "Cold Case" and "The Unit," averaged a 6.9/11 for CBS. ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" was right behind at 6.7/11. "Sunday Night Football" came in at 5.0/8 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, especially in the case of live telecasts.