'America's Got Talent' grabs the most viewers, 'SYTYCD' wins the demo

Fast National ratings for Wednesday, July 1, 2009

NBC and FOX waged a tight race for the best overall ratings Wednesday night, although the demographic battle wasn't as close as "So You Think You Can Dance" led the way once again.

NBC drew 7.68 million viewers and a 4.8/9 in households to lead the way for the evening. FOX was right behind in total viewers with 7.65 million, despite finishing third in households (4.5/8) behind CBS' 4.6/8 (CBS brought in 6.8 million viewers). ABC took fourth at 3.2/6, and The CW brought up the rear with a 0.6/1.

FOX scored a clear victory in the adults 18-49 demographic with a 2.9 rating. NBC finished second at 1.9, with ABC a close third at 1.8. CBS averaged 1.6 and The CW 0.4.

FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance" earned a 4.4/8 at 8 p.m. to lead the household rankings, but ABC's "Wipeout," 4.3/8, had more viewers. An "America's Got Talent" encore drew a 4.0/7 for NBC. "Old Christine" and "Gary Unmarried" combined for a 3.1/6 on CBS. The CW aired an "America's Next Top Model" rerun.

"America's Got Talent," 6.8/12, moved NBC into the lead at 9. CBS' "Criminal Minds" repeat, 5.3/9, was second in households for CBS, but "So You Think You Can Dance," 4.7/8, had more viewers. "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" bled a lot of its lead-in and finished with a 2.1/4 for ABC. "Hitched or Ditched" closed out the night for The CW.

CBS grabbed the top spot at 10 with " CSI: NY," 5.4/10. "The Philanthropist," 3.7/7, fell from its premiere on NBC last week but still beat ABC's " Primetime: Crime," 3.2/6, for second.

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

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