'Idol,' '24' power Fox's Tuesday

Morning Ratings Flash - Rick Kissell

By RICK KISSELL

Fox has built a winning night with the combination of "American Idol" and "24," which swept Tuesday's half-hours among adults 18-49 from 8 to 10, according to preliminary nationals from Nielsen. Net also won the night in adults 18-34, 25-54 and total viewers.

As expected, "American Idol" (9.7/24 in adults 18-49, 20.1 million viewers overall) cooled off a bit this week but still virtually doubled the 18-49 score of its closest pursuer (a 4.9/12 for NBC's special "Fear Factor"). And at 9, the first episode of "24" to follow "Idol" won the hour in 18-49 (6.4/15) with the best score since its season premiere; this is a 26% boost over the most recent "Idol" perf (5.1/12).

NBC moved up to second in key demos behind "Fear Factor," which gave the net its best showing in the hour this season. "Frasier" followed with its best delivery since late November (5.9/13 in adults 18-49, 14.8 million viewers overall), and new comedy "A.U.S.A." (4.8/11) retained 81% of that lead-in. The second episode of "Kingpin" closed out the night with another solid showing, leading the 10 p.m. hour in adults 18-49 (4.5/11), a roughly 17% drop from its strong Sunday premiere.

ABC continues to feel the effects of "American Idol," with its comedy block settling for third from 8 to 10. "According to Jim" led the way (4.1/9 in adults 18-49). Net moved up to second in adults 18-49 at 10 with "NYPD Blue" (4.2/11 in adults 18-49, 11 million viewers overall).

CBS ran fourth in both adults 18-49 and 25-54, led by "Judging Amy," which topped its 10 o'clock hour in some female demos as well as total viewers (13.5 million).

Preliminary 18-49 averages for the night: Fox, 8.1/19; NBC, 4.9/12; ABC, 4.0/10; CBS, 3.4/8.

In total viewers: Fox, 16.4 million; CBS, 13.3 million; NBC, 11.4 million; ABC, 10.4 million.