NBC, CBS sweep into victories
Peacock easy winner in key demos
Many of the top series on both the Peacock and the Eye aired in repeats prior to the start of the four-week sweep period, which begins Thursday and ends May 22. NBC was a rather easy winner in key demos such as adults 18-49 and 25-54, with CBS edging out NBC in total viewers and placing second in the demos.
Original "Will & Grace" stood out as the No. 1 program in 18-49 (8.4/22) for a second straight week. Overall, NBC aired the week's top four laffers in 18-49 and five of the top six dramas.
NBC won Monday through Friday in the demo for a second straight week, the first time any net has done that (without Olympics) since NBC did it in June 1998 with the NBA Finals.
CBS claimed the week's two most-watched programs -- a repeat "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (22.10m) and "Survivor: Marquesas" (19.88m) -- and five of the top 10. It won Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday in total viewers.
The WB, meanwhile, took a different approach, airing original episodes of its top series as a way to build some momentum going into sweeps. The Frog finished ahead of repeat-heavy UPN in total viewers and adults 18-49 while opening even bigger gaps in adults 18-34 (2.0/6) and people 12-34 (2.1/7 vs. 1.5/5).
It scored a ratings coup of sorts Tuesday, winning that competitive night among viewers 12-34.
Fox, which aired a sizable number of originals, moved up to a second-place tie with CBS in adults 18-49 (3.2/9) behind strong showings on Saturday and Sunday.
ABC again languished in fourth in key demos and third in total viewers despite continued growth for "The Bachelor" and another strong turnout for a Rosie O'Donnell interview on "Primetime Thursday."
Both ABC and Fox were off more than 20% in key measures vs. the same week a year ago in an overall downbeat frame for the broadcasters.
Sunday
With "The Simpsons" (12.26, 6.0/16 in 18-49) and "Malcolm in the Middle" (11.93m, 5.6/14) easily winning among younger viewers, Fox rolled to victory in 18-49 and 18-34.
NBC was second in 18-49 thanks to a strong start with an 81-minute NBA Playoffs overrun (3.8/13) and big finish at 10 with a special "Law & Order: SVU" repeat (4.4/11) that easily topped a repeat of ABC's "The Practice" (3.1/8).
ABC looked better at 9, when "Alias" (8.90m, 4.0/9 in 18-49) built nicely on its "World Music Awards" lead-in (5.40m, 2.1/6) to finish just a tick behind Fox's "The X-Files" (4.1/10) and just ahead of NBC's "Law & Order: CI" (3.9/9).
Total-viewers winner CBS did OK biz with Marlo Thomas made-for "Two Against Time" (11.63m, 2.9/7), which built throughout its two hours. Net's "60 Minutes" (16.50m, 3.0/9) was the night's most-watched show.
Saturday
Fox is making it look easy with "Cops" and "America's Most Wanted" powering a 4-share victory in 18-49.
ABC's original telepic "Superfire" (4.91m, 1.9/6 in 18-49) was hardly crackling, but it did top NBC theatrical "A Civil Action" in the demo (1.7/6).
Firstrun hour of "The District" on CBS (9.89m, 2.3/7 in 18-49) was the night's most-watched program.
Friday
"Law & Order: SVU" (12.91m, 4.4/14 in 18-49) remained undefeated in its 10 p.m. time period this season among adults 18-49, as a repeat topped ABC's "20/20" (2.9/9) by 5 shares. Net's victory on the night was its 28th in 30 Fridays this season in 18-49 and 29th in 30 among total viewers.
Another example of why Friday-at-9 remains wide open: A repeat of a "More Bloopers" spec on ABC (2.8/9) beat original segs of NBC's "Dateline" (2.7/9), Fox's "Dark Angel" (2.3/7) and CBS' "First Monday" (1.6/5) in 18-49.
The WB's "Reba," grabbing some of its best numbers since November, won the 9 o'clock half-hour in persons 12-34 (2.1/9).
Thursday
CBS again powered ahead in total viewers, with NBC still having enough to win in 18-49.
Eye's "Survivor: Marquesas" (19.88m, 8.0/23 in A18-49) was up slightly week-to-week: It finished just behind a pair of "Friends" repeats in 18-49 while winning the hour in viewers and adults 25-54 (8.9/24).
Despite a big lead-in from "CSI" (22.10m, 7.8/20), CBS' "The Agency" (10.61m, 3.8/10) again disappointed with an original seg at 10.
Wednesday
NBC was the victor, thanks to a winning repeat from "Law & Order" (14.79m, 5.1/15 in 18-49).
CBS' "The Amazing Race" (8.85m, 3.8/10 in 18-49) won its 9 o'clock hour in 18-49, besting a repeat of "The West Wing" (3.4/9). Outside of Monday and Thursday from 8-10, it was the Eye's highest-rated program of the week in the advertiser-prized demo.
Fox's "Greg the Bunny" (6.77m, 3.0/8) is losing some of its hop, this week retaining only 77% of its first-place "Bernie Mac" demo lead-in (3.9/11). At 8:30, season finale of "George Lopez" on ABC held a strong 97% of its "My Wife and Kids" 18-49 lead-in (2.9/8), but fell a tick behind Fox's "Grounded for Life" (2.9/9).
The 100th episode of the WB's "Dawson's Creek" won its hour in women 18-34 (4.0/13).
Tuesday
The WB was impressive in winning the night in viewers 12-34 (3.3/11) and femmes 12-34 (4.5/14). "Gilmore Girls" tied as the night's No. 1 program in females 12-34 (4.7/16) and ranked as the week's No. 1 show among female teens (7.9/27). And at 9, "Smallville" (6.03m, 3.0/8 in 18-49) was second in its tough hour in most 12-34 and 18-34 breakdowns.
For the first time, NBC's "Watching Ellie" (7.61m, 3.3/10 in 18-49) failed to build on the demo score of its lead-in (3.4/12 for a repeat "Will & Grace"). Still, it was enough to tie with Fox's "Andy Richter Controls the Universe" for the 18-49 lead.
ABC reaped immediate dividends by returning "Philly" at 10 in place of the now-canceled "The Court." "Philly" (9.65m, 3.3/9 in 18-49) held on to a credible 82% of its "NYPD Blue" 18-49 lead-in (4.0/11), topping a repeat of CBS' "Judging Amy" (3.1/8).
Monday
"Fear Factor" was the top draw in 18-49 (5.8/18), powering a resurgent NBC to another victory on April 15. Fox flopped with the return of "Ally McBeal," as a two-hour episode fell to the skein's firstrun demo low (3.8/10).
