TV ratings: CBS cruises even though 'Harper's Island' falls

Zap2It.com | April 17, 2009

Ben McKenzie of 'Southland'

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'Southland' continues decent performance for NBC

Fast National ratings for Thursday, April 16, 2009

"Harper's Island" fell off a good bit in its second week on the air, but the rest of CBS' Thursday lineup was strong enough to carry the night.

CBS averaged a 7.3 rating/12 share in primetime, easily beating the 5.2/9 for second-place FOX. NBC, 4.7/8, finished third. A rerun-heavy night on ABC drew a 3.3/6, and The CW trailed at 1.2/2.

CBS also led among adults 18-49 with a 3.2 rating. FOX and NBC tied for second at 3.0. ABC, 1.4, came in fourth, doubling The CW's 0.7.

"Survivor: Tocantins," 6.9/12, put CBS on top at 8 o'clock. "Bones" earned a 5.7/10 for FOX. "My Name Is Earl," 3.4/6, and "Parks and Recreation," 3.6/6, took third for NBC, beating "In the Motherhood" and "Samantha Who?," which averaged 3.3/6 for ABC. The CW went with a "Smallville" rerun.

"CSI," 9.7/16, gave CBS the night's biggest audience at 9 p.m. FOX's "Hell's Kitchen," 4.7/8, just beat NBC's combination of "The Office," 4.9/8, and "30 Rock," 4.6/7 (NBC did, however, tie CBS for the 18-49 lead in the hour). ABC stayed in fourth with a "Grey's Anatomy" rerun, while a "Supernatural" repeat on The CW scored a 1.2/2.

NBC took the lead at 10 with "Southland," 6.1/11, which was on par with its premiere last week. "Harper's Island" posted a 5.3/9 for CBS -- down significantly from its premiere -- while a "Private Practice" rerun on ABC drew a 3.1/5.

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