'American Idol' helps push FOX past CBS

Fast National ratings for Thursday, March 5, 2009

"American Idol's" wild-card show helped FOX snatch Thursday's ratings crown away from CBS.

Both networks averaged a 9.2 rating/15 share among households for the night, but FOX's 15.94 million viewers beat CBS' 14.98 million for the top spot. NBC finished a distant third at 4.6/7. ABC, 3.9/6, came in fourth, and The CW trailed at 1.3/2.

FOX had a bigger lead among adults 18-49, scoring a 6.1 rating in the key ad demographic. CBS took second with a 4.0, beating out NBC's 3.2. ABC averaged 1.6 and The CW 0.8.

"American Idol" delivered a 12.2/19 for FOX at 8 p.m. "Survivor: Tocantins" earned a 7.1/11 for CBS. "Ugly Betty," 4.3/7, grabbed third for ABC, beating out NBC's combo of "My Name Is Earl," 3.5/6, and "Kath & Kim," 2.7/4. The CW aired a "Smallville" rerun.

CBS took over the lead at 9 with "CSI," 12.8/20. "Hell's Kitchen" drew a 6.2/10 for FOX. NBC moved into third with "The Office," 5.2/8, and "30 Rock," 4.6/7. A "Grey's Anatomy" rerun on ABC was fourth, while a "Supernatural" repeat on The CW scored a 1.2/2.

"Eleventh Hour" posted a 7.9/14 for CBS at 10 p.m. "ER," 5.8/10, took second for NBC, beating the 3.3/6 for a "Private Practice" rerun on 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.