TV Ratings: 'Biggest Loser' finale makes NBC a Tuesday winner

NBC dominates the demo, but an 'NCIS' repeat is still Tuesday's most watched show

Wednesday, Dec 9, 2009 11:43 AM

Daniel Fienberg

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TV Ratings: 'Biggest Loser' finale makes NBC a Tuesday winner

Alison Sweeney of 'The Biggest Loser'

Credit: NBC

Fast National ratings for Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009.

The finale of NBC's "The Biggest Loser" gave NBC a strong night, even pushing "The Jay Leno Show" to its highest ratings in recent memory.

Meanwhile, in other new programming, ABC viewers came out in droves for the premiere of the new animated offering "Prep & Landing," a few stuck around for a new episode of "Scrubs" and then, sadly, everybody left in time for the critically acclaimed "Better Off Ted."

NBC controlled the night among adults 18-49, doing a 4.3 rating in the key demo. There was a three-network pile-up for second, with ABC, CBS and FOX all averaging a 2.4 rating. The CW's 0.8 rating trailed.

Overall, though, CBS' repeats actually won the night, averaging an estimated 12.12 million viewers to go with a 7.8 rating/13 share. NBC was a close second with a 7.2/12 and 11.75 million viewers. ABC's 3.9/6 and the 3.8/6 for FOX were close behind. The CW was a distant fifth with a 1.1/2.

CBS started the night in first with a 9.5/15 for "NCIS," which still averaged more than 15 million viewers for a repeat. NBC's "The Biggest Loser" was second with a 7.4/11 and won the hour in the key demo with a 4.5 rating. ABC's "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and the premiere of "Prep & Landing" averaged a 5.8/9 overall, while the new Disney special did an impressive 4.1 rating in the key demo. FOX took fourth with the first hour of "So You Think You Can Dance." The CW's "90210" was fifth with a 1.4/2.

NBC moved into the lead at 9 p.m. with an 8.8/14 and a 5.5 demo rating for the climax of "The Biggest Loser." CBS was second with a repeat of "NCIS: Los Angeles." FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance" was third with a 3.8/6. ABC's "Scrubs" and the season premiere of "Better Off Ted" averaged a 2.9/5, though the "Better Off Ted" premiere did only a 2.5/4 and a 1.5 rating in the demo. The CW's "Melrose Place" continues not to find that Heather Locklear buzz, doing a 0.9/1 and a 0.7 demo rating.

In the 10 p.m. hour, CBS won overall with a 6.2/11 for a repeat of "The Good Wife." NBC's "The Jay Leno Show" was second overall with a 5.4/9 and won the hour with a 2.9 rating in the demo. ABC's "The Forgotten" repeat 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.