There's no stopping Fox on Tuesdays, as the net easily prevailed once again behind "American Idol" and "24," according to preliminary nationals from Nielsen.
"Idol" (9.4/24 in adults 18-49, 19.8 million viewers overall) was up vs. its most recent scores in the leadoff hour, topping its combined ABC-CBS-NBC competish in the demo. "24" (6.2/15 in adults 18-49, 12.2 million viewers overall) also led its hour in key demos.
CBS did well at 9 with a Celine Dion concert spec from Las Vegas, which won the hour in total viewers (13.8 million) and gave the net its best adults 18-49 perf in the hour this season (4.1/10).
NBC moved up to second on the night thanks to a special repeat of "Will & Grace" at 9 that placed second in 18-49 (4.6/11), while ABC was led by "8 Simple Rules" and a repeat of "According to Jim," both of which delivered a 3.8 in the demo.
The Big Three devoted the 10 o'clock hour to war coverage, with NBC (3.6/10 in adults 18-49, 8.9 million viewers overall) leading the way.
Preliminary 18-49 averages for the night: Fox, 7.8/19; NBC, 3.6/9; ABC, 3.2/8; CBS, 2.9/7.
In total viewers: Fox, 16 million; CBS, 10.8 million; NBC, 8.3 million; ABC, 8.0 million.
Contact Rick Kissell at
rick.kissell@variety.com