Election special wins the 18-49 demo, ABC tops overall

Fast National ratings for Monday, Nov. 3, 2008

ABC claimed its customary top spot in Monday's overall ratings, but a "Saturday Night Live" election special scored the night's best demographic numbers.

ABC averaged an 8.3 rating/13 share for the night, a point better than NBC's 7.3/11. CBS took third at 7.1/11. FOX, 3.1/5, finished a distant fourth, while The CW came in at 2.2/3.

NBC led the adults 18-49 demographic with a 4.4 rating. CBS, 3.7, took second, followed by ABC at 3.1. FOX averaged 2.0 and The CW 1.6.

"Dancing with the Stars," 11.1/16, grabbed the top spot for ABC at 8 p.m. "The Big Bang Theory," 6.1/9, and "How I Met Your Mother," 6.0/9, finished second for CBS (and led the hour in adults 18-49). "Deal or No Deal" was third for NBC, topping "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," 3.2/5, on FOX. "Gossip Girl" drew a 2.2/3 for The CW.

NBC took the lead at 9 p.m. with the "SNL Presidential Bash," 9.2/13. ABC fell one spot with the conclusion of "Dancing with the Stars," 11.7/17, and "Samantha Who?," 6.5/10. "Two and a Half Men," 8.1/11, and "Worst Week," 5.5/8, put CBS in third. "Prison Break" earned a 3.1/4 for FOX. "One Tree Hill" fell a tiny bit from its lead-in on The CW.

At 10 p.m., CBS' "CSI: Miami" led in households at 8.5/14, but the second hour of the "SNL Presidential Bash" (8.2/13) had more viewers. "Boston Legal" delivered a 4.8/8 for ABC.

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