TV Ratings: 'American Idol,' 'Lost' finale rule Wednesday

Fast National ratings for Wednesday, May 14.

The season's penultimate episode of "American Idol" got a big Wednesday boost, while the fifth season finale of "Lost" didn't draw huge numbers, but it stayed stable.

Among adults 18-49, FOX won the night with a 5.5 rating, followed by ABC's 3.7 rating. CBS was third with a 2.8 rating, well ahead of the 1.5 rating for NBC and The CW's 1.2 rating.

Overall, FOX averaged an estimated 16.17 million viewers in primetime to go with a 9.4 rating/15 share. CBS was second with a 6.7/11, beating the 5.2/8 for ABC. NBC's 4.1/7 and The CW's 1.8/3.

FOX started the night in first with a 5.1/9 for the newly renewed "Lie to Me." ABC's "Lost" clip show and CBS' "Rules of Engagement" and "The New Adventures of Old Christine" tied for second with a 4.2/7. NBC's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" was fourth, beating the 2.9/5 for the finale of "America's Next Top Model" on The CW.

"American Idol" scored a 13.7/21 for FOX in the 9 p.m. hour. CBS' "Criminal Minds" was second with an 8.2/13, beating the 5.7/9 for the first hour of "Lost" on ABC. NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" was fourth, topping a "90210" repeat on The CW.

CBS won the 10 p.m. hour with "CSI: NY." ABC's "Lost" had a 5.6/9 in its second hour, winning the hour in the 18-49 demo with a 4.3 rating. NBC's "Law & Order" was third.

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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