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'American Idol' Puts Fox on Top

Posted on: Friday, 17 March 2006, 15:00 CST

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fox hit high notes with its three telecasts of "American Idol" to win the prime-time ratings race last week, while runner-up CBS scored with several dramas, including a brand-new one, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Meanwhile, premium cable HBO's much-anticipated after a 21- month hiatus season premiere of "The Sopranos" attracted 9.5 million viewers when it went up against ABC's hit "Desperate Housewives." That's down from the 12.1 million viewers who tuned to the return of the mob drama for its fifth season in 2004. But for HBO, which is available in about 30 percent of the nation's TV homes, that was in a pre-"Desperate Housewives," less competitive environment.

In broadcast competition, three of the week's four most-watched shows were the "American Idol" editions, with CBS' "Crime Scene Investigation" in third place.

Other big dramas for CBS included "Without a Trace,""CSI: Miami" and, in 10th place, the robust premiere of the David Mamet-created military drama "The Unit."

* *

Prime-time viewership numbers compiled by Nielsen Media Research for the week ending March 12. The listing includes the week's ranking and its viewership, in millions, for the week. * Denotes one- time-only presentation.

NETWORKS

Fox, 13.5

CBS, 12.6

ABC, 9.1

NBC, 8.3

UPN, 3.2

WB, 2.4

SHOWS

1. American Idol-Wed., Fox 30.38

2. American Idol-Tues., Fox 28.56

3. CSI, CBS 27.16

4. * American Idol-Thurs., Fox 26.62

5. Grey's Anatomy, ABC 22.51

6. Desp. Housewives, ABC 22.20

7. House, Fox 20.56

8. Without a Trace, CBS 20.28

9. CSI: Miami, CBS 18.61

10. The Unit, CBS 18.50

11. NCIS, CBS 17.21

12. Two and a Half Men, CBS 17.06

13. Ext. Makeover: Home, ABC 16.80

14. Criminal Minds, CBS 15.27

15. Survivor: Panama, CBS 15.20

16. Cold Case, CBS 15.05

17. Deal, No Deal-Mon., NBC 14.66

18. 24, Fox 13.98

19. CSI: NY, CBS 13.91

20. Courting Alex, CBS 13.77

Source: Record, The; Bergen County, N.J.

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