‘Idol Gives Back’ Some Ratings: FOX Still Wins, but Numbers Down for Charity Special

By Zap2It, Chicago

Apr. 10–Fast National ratings for Wednesday, April 9, 2008

FOX’s “Idol Gives Back” dominated Wednesday night’s ratings, but viewers weren’t in quite the giving mood that they were last year.

The “American Idol” charity special gave FOX a 10.3 rating/16 share in primetime — off from a 15.4/24 last year (when the telethon also included that week’s results show). CBS finished second at 6.8/11. NBC’s 4.7/8 was good for third, beating out ABC’s 4.3/7. The CW drew a 1.5/3.

FOX also easily won the adults 18-49 demographic with a 6.7 rating (compared to 10.0 last year). CBS was the best of the rest at 2.8. ABC, 2.2, came in third. NBC averaged 1.9 and The CW 1.0.

“Idol Gives Back” (which began at 7:30 p.m. ET) drew a 9.9/16 for FOX at 8 p.m. “Deal or No Deal,” 6.1/10, put NBC in second for the hour. “Big Brother: ‘Til Death Do You Part” earned a 4.0/7 for CBS, beating a “Wife Swap” rerun on ABC. An “America’s Next Top Model” clip show posted a 1.7/3 for The CW.

At 9 p.m., “Idol Gives Back” improved a little to 10.7/16. CBS moved up to second with “Criminal Minds,” 8.3/13. “Supernanny” averaged 4.0/6 for ABC, topping the 3.6/6 for a “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” rerun on NBC. The CW trailed with “The Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious.”

“CSI: NY” won the 10 p.m. hour for CBS with a 7.9/13. ABC’s “Primetime” scored a 5.7/9, and a “Law & Order” repeat on NBC delivered a 4.3/7.

–Ratings information is taken from fast national data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change.

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