Thanksgiving Eve ratings not even close

Fast National ratings for Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006

On the night before Thanksgiving, ratings were down some across the board -- except at CBS, whose crime dramas supplied typically strong numbers and helped the Eye rule the night.

CBS averaged an 8.6 rating/15 share in primetime, pretty much in line with what it's been doing on Wednesdays all season. The same can't be said for everyone else: ABC was a distant second at 3.8/7, just ahead of NBC, 3.7/6, and FOX, 3.6/6. The CW came in at 2.3/4.

In the adults 18-49 demographic, CBS led the way with a 3.6 rating. FOX, 2.2, took second, and NBC, 2.0, held off ABC, 1.8, for third. The CW averaged 1.5.

"Jericho" led off the night for CBS with a 6.2/11 at 8 p.m. The time-period premiere of "Show Me the Money," 5.2/9, put ABC in second. FOX was third with a showing of the movie "Cheaper by the Dozen." NBC's special "Madonna: The Confessions Tour Live" didn't generate much heat, drawing only a 3.3/5. "America's Next Top Model" clocked in with a 2.7/4 on The CW.

CBS increased its lead at 9 p.m. with "Criminal Minds," the night's top-rated show at 10.3/17. "Cheaper by the Dozen" posted a 3.7/6 for FOX. ABC's "Day Break" took a big tumble from its premiere last week, managing only a 3.4/6. The Madonna special on NBC dipped slightly and finished fourth. The CW's "One Tree Hill" drew a 1.8/3.

"CSI: NY," 9.7/16, finished the CBS sweep of the night at 10 p.m. "Medium" earned a 4.8/9 for NBC, while ABC's "The Nine" also slumped, coming in at 2.8/5.

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