TV Ratings: March Madness makes CBS happy Friday

Zap2It.com | March 21, 2009

Greg Gumbel of CBS Sports

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NCAA tournament scores an easy ratings win

Fast National ratings for Friday, March 20, 2009

Day two of the NCAA basketball tournament gave CBS an easy ratings victory on Friday night.

CBS averaged a 5.2 rating/9 share in primetime (the numbers will change a bit when adjusted for the live broadcast). ABC took second at 3.8/7, followed by NBC at 3.0/5. FOX drew a 2.4/4, and The CW trailed with a 1.0/2.

In the adults 18-49 demographic, CBS (2.9) was the only network to register above a 2.0 rating. ABC finished second in the demo at 1.7. FOX, 1.4, edged NBC, 1.3, for third. The CW earned a 0.6.

The Eye's basketball coverage posted a 5.1/9 at 8 p.m. "Wife Swap" put ABC in second with a 3.3/6. "Howie Do It" finished third for NBC, just ahead of the 2.3/4 for "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" on FOX. "Everybody Hates Chris" and "The Game" averaged 1.1/2 for The CW.

CBS ticked up to 5.4/9 at 9 p.m. with more March Madness. "Supernanny," 3.5/6, kept ABC in second. "Dollhouse" scored a 2.6/5 to move FOX ahead of NBC and "Friday Night Lights," 2.5/4. The CW aired an "America's Next Top Model" repeat.

The tournament returned to a 5.1/9 at 10. ABC's "20/20" scored a 4.5/8, topping the 4.1/7 for "Dateline" on NBC.

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