'Private Practice' drops, but still above pre-crossover levels

Fast National ratings for Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

ABC and CBS battled to another split ratings verdict on Thursday, and although "Private Practice" dropped off some from the past couple weeks, it still remained higher than its pre-crossover numbers.

CBS led the night overall with an 8.6 rating/14 share and just under 14 million viewers. ABC, 7.5/12 and 11.5 million viewers, took second. FOX, 5.0/8, finished third, a point ahead of NBC's 4.0/6. The CW trailed at 1.3/2.

ABC won the adults 18-49 race with a 4.2 rating, edging CBS' 3.9. FOX grabbed third in the key ad demographic with a 3.0. NBC, 2.5, was fourth, and The CW drew a 0.8.

"Survivor: Tocantins" put CBS on top at 8 p.m. with a 7.9/13. "Bones" scored a 6.0/10 for FOX. ABC's "Ugly Betty," 5.1/8, came in third. "My Name Is Earl," 4.1/7, and "Kath & Kim," 3.3/5, gave NBC the No. 4 spot, while The CW brought up the rear with a "Smallville" rerun.

CBS stayed on top at 9 p.m. with "CSI," 10.5/16. ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" posted a 10.0/15 and was also the night's top show among adults 18-49. "Hell's Kitchen" drew a 4.1/6 for FOX, topping the 3.4/5 average for reruns of "The Office" and "30 Rock" on NBC.

At 10 p.m., ABC's "Private Practice" earned a 7.5/13 -- down from its "Grey's" crossover-fueled heights of the past couple weeks but still better than its prior season average. CBS' "Eleventh Hour" was right behind at 7.4/11. The return of Noah Wyle to "ER" didn't move the needle much, as the show came in at 4.9/8.

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