NBC leads among viewers while FOX captures the demo

Fast National ratings for Wednesday, July 8, 2009

(Note: We're trying something a little different with the daily ratings story. We're doing away with listing household ratings in favor of the easier-to-understand total viewer numbers, while also supplying some additional information about the adults 18-49 rankings. Let us know what you think.)

NBC and FOX each claimed a share of the ratings lead Wednesday night, with NBC grabbing the most total viewers and FOX dancing away with the demographic title.

NBC drew just under 7.7 million viewers in primetime, beating out the 7.5 million for FOX. CBS (6.06 million) and ABC (6.04 million) finished in a virtual tie for third. The CW was way back, pulling in only 935,000 people.

FOX led among adults 18-49 with a 2.8 rating. ABC and NBC tied for second at 2.1. CBS earned a 1.3, a point better than The CW's 0.3.

"Wipeout" put ABC on top at 8 p.m. with about 8.1 million viewers (it also won the hour in the 18-49 demo with a 2.8). "So You Think You Can Dance" (7.3 million) took second for for FOX. A repeat of "America's Got Talent," 6.2 million, came in third for NBC. Reruns of "Old Christine" and "Gary Unmarried" averaged just over 4 million people for CBS, well ahead of an "America's Next Top Model" rerun on The CW.

NBC took the lead at 9 with "America's Got Talent," which had both the night's biggest audience (11.7 million) and best 18-49 rating (3.3). "So You Think You Can Dance" improved to 7.7 million. CBS jumped up to third, drawing 7 million people to a "Criminal Minds" rerun. ABC's "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" bled about half its lead-in and averaged 4.1 million viewers. The CW aired another hour of "Top Model."

"CSI: NY" (7.2 million) easily won the 10 o'clock hour in viewers for CBS, but "Primetime: Crime" (6 million) led the demo with a 1.9. "The Philanthropist" snagged 5.1 million viewers on NBC.

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