Horse race boosted by fresh blood

Eye, Alphabet both average 4.4 rating among 18-49

By RICK KISSELL

It was a two-net horse race down to the final night in the November sweep's most closely watched ratings category, with a steady CBS and a rising ABC battling to a draw.

The Eye and Alphabet averaged a 4.4 rating among adults 18-49 (equating to roughly 5.7 million viewers in the demo), according to Nielsen, finishing well ahead of NBC and Fox. Latter nets were in their own tight scrum for third place and wound up tied with a 3.3 rating.

As they did in the May sweep last season, CBS vet "CSI" and young ABC hours "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost" were standout performers, but there was also some fresh blood among the top programs.

ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," which aired just nine times last spring, has emerged a top-five smash behind "Desperate Housewives," giving the net a powerhouse Sunday.

Fox, meanwhile, has found a drama success in the serialized "Prison Break," which will return to the sked in March after its Nov. 28 fall finale. Net also had a stronger Sunday laffer lineup this time around thanks to "Family Guy" and solid rookie "The War at Home."

And CBS, while it has no breakout rookie hits, has the most productive newbie class thanks to "Ghost Whisperer" and "Criminal Minds." These join a solid sked that includes Monday laffer "Two and a Half Men" and hot 8 p.m. dramas "Cold Case" and "NCIS."

NBC was down 18% as shows like "The Apprentice" and "Law & Order" continued to decline, but "My Name Is Earl" is the season's top new comedy in 18-49 and "Biggest Loser" has emerged as a potent unscripted franchise.

Among the younger nets, UPN gained the upper hand on rival the WB, beating it in their target 18-34 demo. Frog fell by double-digits compared to a year ago.

Overall, it was a good month for the broadcasters, whose 50 share in 18-49 matched its perf of last year.