FOX TAKES OVER FIRST PLACE

Fox returned to the head of the class last week, displacing CBS’s hold on the No. 1 spot in both total adults and the 18-49 demo. Wednesday’s edition of American Idol topped the Nielsen ratings list as it drew 25.33 million viewers. Thursday’s installment of the talent show came in second with 22.48 million viewers. Fox also nabbed a top-ten position with its coverage of the Pro Bowl, which placed sixth with 13.41 million viewers, while its long-running drama Bones took the eighth spot with 12.01 million. CBS slipped to second place for the week but drew strong ratings for its Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, “The Lost Valentine,” which came in third with 14.64 million viewers. And there was good news for struggling NBC, as its new drama Harry’s Law pushed into the top ten at No. 10. Among the nightly newscasts, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams remained well ahead of the pack with 9.88 million viewers. ABC World News with Diane Sawyer stayed in second place with 8.86 million, while the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric remained in the cellar with 6.31 million.

The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research:
1. American Idol (Wednesday), Fox, 13.8/22; 2. American Idol (Thursday) Fox, 12.4/20; 3. Hallmark Hall of Fame, CBS, 9.3/15; 4. NCIS, CBS, 8.3/13; 5. Criminal Minds, CBS, 7.8/12; 6. Pro Bowl Game, Fox, 7.7/12; 7. Blue Bloods, CBS, 7.5/13; 8. Bones, Fox, 7.2/11; 8. Two and a Half Men, CBS, 7.2/1; 10. Harry’s Law, NBC, 6.6/11.