Drama reruns carry Eye past other Jackson, Fawcett specials

Fast National ratings for Thursday, June 25, 2009

Thursday night's TV schedule went into upheaval as ABC, CBS and NBC all rushed to cover the deaths of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett.

CBS ended up with the night's biggest audience, averaging 7.6 million viewers and a 5.0 rating/9 share in households. ABC, 3.9/7, took second in households, but FOX (3.5/6) had just as many total viewers (5.7 million each). NBC was fourth at 3.1/6, and The CW trailed with a 0.9/2.

FOX led the adults 18-49 demographic with a 1.9 rating. ABC and CBS tied for second at 1.6, with NBC right behind at 1.5. The CW earned a 0.5.

A rerun of " The Mentalist," 4.5/9, put CBS in the top spot at 8 p.m. FOX's "Bones" rerun finished second at 2.8/5. " Samantha Who?," 2.6/5, and "In the Motherhood," 2.0/4, grabbed third for ABC, finishing a little ahead of a pair of "Office" reruns on NBC. The CW's "Smallville" repeat scored a 1.0/2.

CBS stayed in front at 9 o'clock with " CSI," 5.5/9. FOX got a 4.2/7 from " So You Think You Can Dance." A "20/20" special on Michael Jackson drew a 3.9/7 for ABC, beating the 3.5/6 for similar coverage on " Dateline NBC." The CW went with a "Supernatural" encore.

ABC took the lead at 10 with another "20/20" special on Fawcett's life. A CBS News special on Michael Jackson posted a 5.0/9, while "Dateline" came in at 3.9/7 for NBC.

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