TV Ratings: Wednesday rivals can't match FOX's 'American Idol'

Fast National ratings for Wednesday, April 22, 2009.

FOX's "American Idol" double-elimination delivered enough ratings might in the 9 p.m. hour to give the network an easy win on Wednesday night.

Among adults 18-49, FOX averaged a 5.2 rating, doubling up (and then-some) the 2.5 rating for second-place CBS in the key demographic. ABC was a close third with a 2.1 rating, followed by the 1.5 rating for NBC and The CW's 1.2 rating. 

Overall, FOX averaged an estimated 15.59 million viewers and a 9.4 rating/15 share. CBS was well back in second with a 6.3/10. NBC's 4.0/7 and the 3.5/6 for ABC topped the 1.8/3 for fifth place CW.

FOX got a 5.1/9 from "Lie to Me" to win the 8 p.m. hour. NBC's "Law & Order" repeat was second, nipping CBS' repeats of "The New Adventures of Old Christine" and "Gary Unmarried." ABC took fourth with the 2.9/5 averaged by "Scrubs" and "Better Off Ted," which edged the 2.7/5 for "America's Next Top Model" on The CW. Note that The CW's reality hit finished second in the hour in the 18-49 demo.

"American Idol" had a 13.7/21 to dominate the 9 p.m. hour for FOX. CBS was a distant second with a 6.4/10 for a "Criminal Minds" repeat. ABC's "Lost" clip show was third with a 4.2/7, nipping the 3.8/6 for a "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" repeat on NBC. The CW's encore of "90210" trailed.

CBS won the 10 p.m. hour with an 8.9/15 for a new "Criminal Minds" in a special time. NBC's "Law & Order" repeat had no trouble taking second, leaving the 3.5/6 for ABC's "The Unusuals" in the dust.

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

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