ABC comedies so-so, 'Grey's' beats basketball

Fast National ratings for Thursday, March 26, 2009

An unusual Thursday that featured "American Idol," live sports and a pair of comedy premieres ended up with FOX on top of the ratings.

FOX averaged a 9.7 rating/15 share and 16.65 million viewers for the night to finish well ahead of second-place ABC, 7.3/12 and 10.97 million. CBS, 6.5/10, finished third (its numbers will change some because of live sports). NBC, 4.9/8, came in fourth, and The CW trailed with a 2.2/3.

FOX also led among adults 18-49 with a 6.1 rating. ABC took second in the key ad demographic with a 3.8, followed closely by CBS, 3.5, and NBC, 3.1. The CW earned a 1.4.

The "American Idol" results show scored a 12.9/20 for FOX at 8 p.m., with no other network even within shouting distance. The Sweet 16 round of the NCAA basketball tournament drew a 6.0/10 for CBS. The premiere of "In the Motherhood," 4.6/7, and the return of "Samantha Who?," 4.5/7, put ABC in third, ahead of "My Name Is Earl" and an "Office" rerun on NBC. "Smallville" delivered a 2.3/4 for The CW.

ABC moved in front at 9 p.m. thanks to "Grey's Anatomy," 10.3/16. The NCAA tournament improved to 7.0/11 on CBS. "Hell's Kitchen," 6.5/10, got a boost from the "Idol" lead-in. "The Office," 4.9/7, and "30 Rock," 4.3/7, kept NBC in fourth, ahead of "Supernatural" on The CW.

"Private Practice" drew a 7.1/12 for ABC at 10. Both CBS' college basketball and NBC's "ER" averaged 6.6/11, with CBS getting a few more total viewers.

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.