Audiences rock out to 'Idol'

Fox megolith rakes in 27.0 million viewers

By RICK KISSELL

Fox turned over its Tuesday lineup once again to "American Idol," dominating the 8 to 10 p.m. block despite year-to-year ratings erosion. The megahit tripled the demo delivery of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" and NBC's "The Biggest Loser" when they went head to head in the 9 o'clock hour.

According to preliminary nationals from Nielsen, "American Idol" averaged a 10.3 rating/25 share in adults 18-49 and 27.0 million viewers overall. Although it crushed everything in its path as usual, the tougher than usual reality competition contributed to season-low Tuesday scores and double-digit year-to-year declines. Still, it flexed its muscles in beating "Dancing" and "Loser" combined by 9 shares in 18-49 head-to-head during the night's middle hour.

At ABC, annual special "It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown" improved the 8 o'clock time period for the net (1.9/5 in 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall), and the conclusion of the two-night "Dancing With the Stars" premiere rose to a projected 4.0/10 in 18-49 and 16.9 million viewers overall from 9 to 10:32 p.m. Closing out the night, a special preview of limited-run Thursday comedy "Miss Guided" averaged a projected 2.8/8 in 18-49 and 9.5 million viewers overall.

NBC's "Biggest Loser" (3.1/8 in 18-49, 7.9 million viewers overall) was again the top-rated alternative to "Idol" for its two-hour duration, running neck and neck in demos with "Dancing" in the 9 o'clock hour Through 12 episodes, season five of the weight-loss series is running ahead of season four by 10% in adults 18-49 and by 13% in total viewers. Closing out the night, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" averaged a 2.9/8 in 18-49 and 9.0 million viewers overall, on par with ABC in the hour.

CBS delivered the same modest demo score each hour Tuesday with its repeat of "NCIS" (2.0/5 in 18-49, 10.5 million viewers overall) and firstrun fare "Big Brother" (2.0/5 in 18-49, 5.5 million viewers overall) and "Jericho" (2.0/5 in 18-49, 5.8 million viewers overall). Latter was up week to week as it nears next week's season finale.

At CW, "One Tree Hill" celebrated its 100th episode with some of its best numbers of the season (1.4/3 in 18-49, 2.9 million viewers overall). Despite the brutal competition for young women from "Idol," "Dancing" and "Loser," the drama was up sharply week to week in women 18-34 (3.0/7).

Preliminary 18-49 averages for the night: Fox, 10.3/25; ABC, 3.1/8; NBC, 3.0/8; CBS, 2.0/5; Univision, 1.6/4; CW, 1.1/3.

In total viewers: Fox, 27.0 million; ABC, 12.0 million; NBC, 8.0 million; CBS, 7.3 million; Univision, 3.5 million; CW, 2.3 million.

TV Ratings

Tuesday, March 18, 2008 (*millions)

Top Show	Total
American Idol (Fox)	27.0 mil
Top Shows	A18-49
American Idol (FOX)	10.3/25
Dancing With the Stars (ABC)	4.0/10
The Biggest Loser (NBC)	3.1/8
Networks
FOX	10.3/25
ABC	3.1/8
NBC	3.0/8
CBS	2.0/5

from Nielsen Media Research - preliminary results

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