'Idol' big enough to overcome steep drop; modest start for 'Cupid'

Fast National ratings for Tuesday, March 31, 2009

FOX delivered its usual ratings win Tuesday, despite suffering a precipitous post-"American Idol" ratings drop with the premiere of its variety show "Osbournes: Reloaded."

FOX's 11.3 rating/17 share and 19.9 million viewers won the night over CBS' 9.8/15 and 15.5 million. NBC, 5.6/9, came in third, a little ahead of ABC's 5.6/9. The CW drew a 1.4/2.

The adults 18-49 race wasn't as close, as FOX's 7.5 rating more than doubled the 3.5 for second-place NBC. CBS, 3.3, finished third. ABC managed only a 2.0, and The CW trailed at 1.0.

"American Idol" scored a 13.4/21 to win the 8 o'clock hour for FOX. "NCIS," 10.6/16, was its usual strong self for CBS. "The Biggest Loser: Couples" earned a 5.0/8 for NBC. ABC took fourth with a pair of "Better Off Ted" reruns, while "Reaper" drew a 1.5/2 for The CW.

CBS took the lead at 9 p.m. with "The Mentalist," 10.5/16. While "American Idol" -- which ended at 9:25 -- delivered a 13.1/19 in the first half of the hour, "Osbournes: Reloaded" tumbled to 5.5/8, giving FOX a 9.3/14 average and second place. The "Dancing with the Stars" results, 8.3/13, moved ABC into third, ahead of "The Biggest Loser" on NBC. The return of "90210" to The CW went largely unnoticed, drawing a 1.4/2.

"Without a Trace" kept CBS on top at 10 with an 8.3/14. "Law & Order: SVU" scored a 6.1/10 for NBC, while "Cupid" premiered to a modest 5.0/8 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.