Fast National ratings for Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008

Bones' trip across the pond carried FOX to a ratings win Wednesday, while the intense media scrutiny of Sarah Palin provided a big boost to the networks covering the Republican National Convention.

FOX averaged a 6.0 rating/9 share for the night, narrowly beating NBC's 5.9/9. CBS was a fairly distant third at 3.5/5. ABC, 2.8/4, came in fourth, and The CW trailed with a 2.4/4.

The adults 18-49 lead also went to FOX, which earned a 3.3 rating in the key ad demographic. NBC finished second at 2.6. The CW, 1.7, grabbed third, followed by CBS, 1.4, and ABC, 1.3.

NBC led at 8 p.m. thanks to America's Got Talent, 6.0/10. The fourth-season premiere of Bones drew a 5.7/9 for FOX. Greatest American Dog, 3.3/5, put CBS in third. A Wife Swap repeat on ABC was fourth, edging the season premiere of America's Next Top Model, 2.2/4, on The CW.

America's Got Talent improved to 6.7/10 at 9 p.m., topping the 6.3/9 for the second hour of Bones. A Criminal Minds encore kept CBS in third. Top Model ticked up to 2.5/4. ABC slid to fifth with a Supernanny rerun, 2.3/3.

Ratings for the Republican convention improved across the board as vice-presidential nominee Palin made her prime-time debut. NBC led the way with a 4.9/8, followed by ABC, 3.4/5, and CBS, 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.

Comments

Can someone explain to me how Bones "won" the night for Fox when NBC won every hour of the night in question?

Tom | Sep 4, 2008 10:11:19 AM | #

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Thanks, Tom. I was about to ask that same question. I'm confused. Bones had 9.69 million viewers and AGT had 10.15 million viewers.

Nicole | Sep 4, 2008 10:27:54 AM | #

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Tom,

FOX won because they don't have the 9:00(Central) hour to figure into their ratings the way the other 3 do.
I have never agreed with FOX winning any ratings since they don't air the same number of hours as the other three networks. I would be willing to bet that if they did they would not be winning near as much as they do.

Chuck | Sep 4, 2008 10:29:47 AM | #

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I always thought that if ABC or CBS had to air the same number of hours that Fox did, the latter would be in serious trouble. Just look at CBS' Fox-like schedule:

Sunday: 60 Minutes, Cold Case, Without a Trace
Monday: Two/Half Men, HIMYM, CSI: Miami
Tuesday: NCIS, Criminal Minds
Weds: Big Bang, New Christine, CSI: NY
Thurs: Survivor, CSI
Fri: Ghost Whisperer, Numbers,
Sat: Reruns

They would be pretty solid. Even AI may not be enough to help Fox.

Rob | Sep 4, 2008 10:40:59 AM | #

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um, sssso are we ever going to see Sunday's ratings?

Ishkabibble | Sep 4, 2008 11:20:12 AM | #

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Everyone was watching the RNC to see how uncomfortable Palin's whore daughter and her white trash baby daddy looked on stage.

And it delivered!

| Sep 4, 2008 11:27:02 AM | #

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Chuck is right, and I should've explained that a little better. "Bones" was pretty close to "AGT" in both hours, so when NBC's numbers fell some with the convention, that gave FOX a better average for the night. ("Bones" did win both hours in 18-49.)

Rick | Sep 4, 2008 11:55:04 AM | #

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Trying to explain the logic behind who "won" in the ratings is rather like trying to throw paint at an easel while on a moving merry-go-round. Sometimes you hit the target, but most of the time...you just end up with purple grass. :)

Revenant | Sep 4, 2008 12:16:59 PM | #

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"Bones" creaked through two hours of a disappointing season opener. I am a fan and I have to say...get your act together guys.

Lizzil | Sep 4, 2008 12:55:27 PM | #

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Why did we stop having Friday's ratings reported. And by the way... what happened to the zap2it home page??

Aaron | Sep 4, 2008 1:47:11 PM | #

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FOX's win are based on the 18-49 demographic ratings, which NBC placed second on Wednesday.

jp | Sep 4, 2008 4:09:55 PM | #

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NO...everyone was watching the RNC so they could get to know the next VP of the United States...simple as that.

NiNi | Sep 5, 2008 7:45:29 AM | #

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I like the Tina Fey version of the new VP better. She's too much like a mean Karen (from Will & Grace) without the fun, fag hag, booziness.

Suzy Spit-Up Doll | Sep 5, 2008 9:52:05 AM | #

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So when these ratings for FOX come out they are not so real at all.They are not first but are making it seem that the network is being watched more than the others when in reality they are not!

Pat | Sep 5, 2008 6:41:10 PM | #

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yeah, what happened to friday's ratings?

rickie | Sep 6, 2008 12:41:15 PM | #

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