'American Idol' still leads FOX to a win

Fast National ratings for Tuesday, May 12, 2009

CBS once again hung with FOX in Tuesday's overall ratings, while the all-night finale of "The Biggest Loser: Couples" scored strong demographic numbers for NBC.

FOX and CBS each scored a 9.6 rating/15 share in households for the night, but FOX had more total viewers, 16.5 million to CBS' 15.1 million. NBC took third with a 7.1/11. ABC, 5.1/8, came in fourth, and The CW trailed with a 1.3/2.

In the adults 18-49 demographic, FOX's 6.1 rating led the way, while NBC finished a solid second at 4.7. CBS, 3.1, took third, followed by ABC, 1.9, and The CW, 1.0.

"American Idol" scored a 12.6/20 for FOX at 8 p.m. "NCIS" delivered a 10.0/16 for CBS. The first hour of "The Biggest Loser" finale, 5.7/9, put NBC in third. An hour of "According to Jim" averaged 2.7/4 for ABC. The CW was fifth with "Reaper."

CBS took the overall lead at 9 p.m. with "The Mentalist," 10.1/15. "Dancing with the Stars" snagged an 8.9/14 for ABC. "The Biggest Loser" stayed in third overall but led the hour in adults 18-49. The season finale of "Fringe" earned a 6.6/10 for FOX. The CW got a 1.4/2 from "90210."

At 10 o'clock, CBS' "Without a Trace" (8.9/15), but the conclusion of "The Biggest Loser," 8.0/13, had a sizable demo lead. "Cupid" posted a 3.6/6 for ABC.

Ratings information includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change.