TV Hot Spot: Ratings

Tuesday 23rd Jan. : Nation Unites Behind 'American Idol' Tuesday

Post by: Sal

Fast National ratings for Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2007

Each of the Big Four networks covered the State of the Union address Tuesday night, but it was "American Idol" that led FOX to a ratings win.

FOX averaged a 9.4 rating/15 share for the night (numbers for everyone but The CW are affected by live coverage of the presidential speech). CBS took second with a 6.2/10. NBC, 4.8/7, came in third, followed by ABC at 3.9/6. The CW earned a 2.2/3.

In the adults 18-49 demographic, FOX's 6.5 rating led by a wide margin over CBS' 2.3. NBC was right behind at 2.2. ABC, 1.7, came in fourth, followed by The CW at 1.4.

"American Idol" scored a 17.2/25 for FOX at 8 p.m., down from its premiere last week but still drawing better than 31 million viewers. "NCIS" was a solid second for CBS at 9.0/13. "Dateline" scored a 4.3/7 for NBC, topping an "America's Funniest Home Videos" rerun on ABC. The return of "Gilmore Girls" on The CW netted a subpar 2.6/4.

President Bush delivered his State of the Union address at 9 p.m. The largest number of viewers stuck with FOX, 6.4/10. NBC averaged 5.7/8 with its coverage, just beating CBS. ABC drew a 4.7/7 for the hour. "Veronica Mars" scored a 2.2/3 for The CW.

At 10 p.m., State of the Union coverage and an "Office" repeat averaged 4.4/7 for NBC. CBS posted a 3.9/6 with its news coverage and "Two and a Half Men." ABC stayed with politics for the full hour, coming in at 3.8/6.