Expanded 'Idol' scores big in ratings

Fox's hit show dominated the night

By RICK KISSELL

Fox turned its entire primetime over to "American Idol" on Wednesday with the final night of the Hollywood weeks, as the two-hour segment of television's top-rated series dominated in every ratings category.

According to preliminary nationals from Nielsen, "American Idol" averaged a strong 9.4 rating/23 share in adults 18-49 and 24.6 million viewers overall from 8 to 10 p.m., beating its combined ABC-CBS-NBC-CW competition by 6 shares in 18-49. The balanced performer also delivered a 24 share in adults 25-54 and a 22 share in adults 18-34.

Elsewhere, ABC's "Lost" (4.4/10 in 18-49, 9.8 million viewers overall) seemed affected by the unusual "Idol" competition, hitting a season low although it still led the 9 o'clock hour in adults 18-49. It continues to be a struggle, meanwhile, at 10 o'clock for the net's "Life on Mars" (1.9/5 in 18-49, 5.1 million viewers overall).

CBS ran second in demos with both its comedies "Old Christine" (1.9/5 in 18-49, 7.1 million viewers overall) and "Gary Unmarried" (2.1/5 in 18-49, 6.9 million viewers overall) as well as 9 o'clock drama "Criminal Minds" (3.3/8 in 18-49, 13.3 million viewers overall), which ran second to "Idol" in total viewers. "CSI: NY" then moved to a leadership position at 10 (3.4/9 in 18-49, 12.8 million viewers overall).

NBC did very little opposite "American Idol" with firstrun dramas "Knight Rider" (1.3/3 in 18-49, 5.4 million viewers overall) and "Life" (1.4/3 in 18-49, 4.7 million viewers overall) before picking up some at 10 p.m. with a second-place finish for "Law & Order" (2.1/6 in 18-49, 7.5 million viewers overall).

Preliminary 18-49 averages for the night: Fox, 9.4/23; CBS, 2.9/7; ABC, 2.6/7; Univision, 2.1/5; NBC, 1.6/4; CW, 0.4/1.

In total viewers: Fox, 24.6 million; CBS, 11.0 million; ABC, 6.4 million; NBC, 5.9 million; Univision, 4.8 million; CW, 1.0 million.