TV Ratings: Cardinals help FOX soar on Saturday

Fast National ratings for Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009.

The Arizona Cardinals romped over the Carolina Panthers on Saturday night and, in turn, FOX's telecast of their playoff game romped over the other networks.

FOX averaged an 8.0 rating in the key 18-49 demographic, nearly doubling up the combined totals for CBS (1.9 rating), ABC (1.2 rating) and NBC (1.0 rating).

Overall, FOX averaged an estimated 21.1 million viewers and a 12.2 rating/20 share. CBS' 4.2/7, NBC's 2.7/5 and ABC's 2.2/4 were all well off the pace.

FOX's playoff football started the night strong with a 12.3/20 in the 8 p.m. hour. CBS' "Game Show in My Head" had a 3.8/6 for the hour, though I suspect the show's ratings boost had more to do with audience hold-over from the day's earlier playoff game than a newfound appreciation for Ashton Kutcher or Joe Rogan. ABC's reairing of "The Bachelor" premiere was third, beating a new "Crusoe," which did a 1.8/3 for NBC.

At 9 p.m. FOX's football had a 12.6/21 to win the hour. CBS aired a repeat of "Criminal Minds" and finished second with a 4.1/7. ABC's "Bachelor" had a 2.4/4 and nipped "Law & Order" on NBC.

With FOX's football no longer in the tabulations, CBS' "48 Hours Mystery" claimed the 10 p.m. hour with a 4.7/8. NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" had a 4.1/7 for second, while ABC's reairing of "True Beauty" trailed.

All ratings information comes from preliminary Fast National Nielsen data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are subject to change, particularly in the case of live events.