NBC edges Eye for 18-49 lead

Fast National ratings for Monday, Oct. 23, 2006

"CSI: Miami" put CBS on top of the overall ratings Monday, but the best showing yet by "Heroes" gave NBC the No. 1 ranking among adults 18-49.

CBS averaged an 8.8 rating/13 share for the evening to beat out NBC's 7.8/12. ABC finished third in households with a 5.0/8, although FOX, 4.7/7, had a small edge in total viewers. The CW earned a 1.9/3.

In the adults 18-49 demographic that advertisers covet, NBC's 4.6 rating narrowly beat CBS' 4.5 for the top spot. ABC's 2.9 was good for third, with FOX fourth at 2.6 and The CW fifth at 1.2.

"Deal or No Deal," 9.7/15, won the 8 p.m. hour for NBC. "How I Met Your Mother," 6.4/10, and "The Class," 5.5/8, put CBS in second place. "Prison Break" returned to FOX after a baseball-induced hiatus with a 5.3/8. ABC took fourth with a "Wife Swap" rerun, while The CW averaged 2.0/3 with "Everybody Hates Chris" and "All of Us."

At 9 p.m., "Two and a Half Men," 9.8/14, and "The New Adventures of Old Christine," 8.1/12, gave CBS the lead among households, but NBC's "Heroes," 8.6/12, had more viewers (it was also the night's top show in adults 18-49). ABC moved up to third with "The Bachelor: Rome," 5.8/9, passing FOX and the Monday-night debut of "Justice," 4.2/8. The CW went with "Girlfriends" and "The Game."

"CSI: Miami" grabbed the night's biggest audience at 10 p.m. with an 11.4/18. Its rating beat the combined total of NBC's "Studio 60," 5.1/8, and ABC's "What About Brian," 4.4/7.

Ratings information is taken from fast national data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change.