'Ghost Whisperer' trounces 'Wonderful Life'

Fast National ratings for Friday, Dec. 14, 2007

The annual NBC showing of "It's a Wonderful Life" wasn't so wonderful in the ratings. Instead CBS and "Ghost Whisperer" got their Nielsen wings Friday.

CBS averaged a 5.8 rating/10 share for the night, easily beating ABC's 3.9/7. NBC, 3.6/6, came in third. The CW's 2.7/5 was good for fourth, and FOX trailed with a 2.4/4.

CBS was the only network to break the 2.0 barrier among adults 18-49, drawing a 2.4 rating in the demographic. NBC finished second at 1.7, followed by The CW at 1.5. ABC and FOX each averaged 1.3.

A new "Ghost Whisperer" earned a 6.2/11 for CBS at 8 p.m. The Frank Capra classic "It's a Wonderful Life" posted a 3.2/6 for NBC. "Don't Forget the Lyrics" on FOX and a "Men in Trees" rerun on ABC tied for third in households, with FOX bringing in more total viewers. The first hour of "Friday Night Smackdown!" delivered a 2.6/5 for The CW.

"Moonlight" kept CBS on top at 9 p.m. with a 4.9/9. ABC moved up to second with a "Women's Murder Club" rerun, 4.2/7. "It's a Wonderful Life" was third for NBC, topping the 2.8/5 for "Smackdown!" on The CW. "The Next Great American Band" earned a 1.8/3 for FOX.

CBS finished off the night with "Numb3rs" scoring a 6.2/11 at 10 p.m. ABC's "20/20," 4.7/8, took second, while "It's a Wonderful Life" concluded with a 4.0/7.

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