Source : Zap2It
With an extra assist from Sunday NFL runover, FOX's new season of "24" got off to a solid start, helping the network claim a slim early ratings victory. However, due to the nature of live events, FOX's ratings are likely to change and ABC is looming in the wings.
Overall, FOX averaged a 10.8 rating/16 share for the night, narrowly beating ABC's 10.3/16. CBS was well back in third with a 7.9/12, still nipping NBC's 7.1/11. The WB may only have gotten a 1.8/3 for the night, but at least the network didn't have to air a new episode of "The Mountain."
FOX also won among adults 18-49, doing a 7.4 rating in the key demographic. ABC was behind, delivering a 7.2 rating for the night. NBC and CBS tied for third with the same 3.3 rating. The WB trailed with a 1.2 rating.
With Sunday sports coverage, FOX started the night in first with a 14.9/23. CBS' "60 Minutes" could muster only a 7.8/12 in second. ABC's "America's Funniest Home Videos" wasn't really close in third, edging the 5.5/9 for "Dateline NBC." The WB was fifth with "Steve Harvey's Big Time" and the beginning of the movie "There's Something About Mary."
ABC moved into first for the 8 p.m. hour with the 11.2/16 for "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." CBS' "Cold Case" was second with a 10.2/15. FOX got a 9.0/13 from the first hour of the two-night "24" premiere, while NBC was a distant fourth with "American Dreams." The WB's movie was fifth with a 2.0/3.
At 9 p.m., "Desperate Housewives" had the evening's highest ratings with a 15.1/22 for ABC. NBC's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" did an 8.6/12 to edge the 8.4/12 for hour two of FOX's "24," though the FOX drama pulled in more viewers. CBS' telecast of the People's Choice Awards did a 6.9/10. The WB was last again with the conclusion of its movie.
NBC won the night's final hour with the 9.8/16 for "Crossing Jordan." ABC wasn't far off as "Boston Legal" was at a 9.4/15. CBS' awards show followed in third.