TV Ratings: CBS' comedies, FOX's '24' wage Monday war

Kiefer Sutherland of '24'

Credit: FOX

Fast National ratings for Monday, Jan. 12, 2009.

FOX's two-hour Monday premiere of "24" was locked in a tight ratings race with CBS.

Among adults 18-49, CBS had a 4.3 rating in the key 18-49 demographic, but FOX wasn't far behind with a 4.1 rating. ABC's 3.1 rating was good for third, followed by the 1.8 rating for NBC and The CW's 1.4 rating.

CBS also won in total viewers, with an estimated 13.77 million, plus an 8.6 rating/13 share. FOX wasn't that far off with a 7.2/11. ABC's 5.5/8 and the 3.9/6 for NBC were next. The CW was fifth with a 1.9/3.

In the 8 p.m. hour CBS' "Big Bang Theory" and "How I Met Your Mother" averaged a 7.1/11, nipping the 7.0/10 for FOX's "24." Don't tell anybody, but FOX averaged more viewers for the hour, but CBS' margin-of-victory in the 18-49 demo was far wider. ABC's "The Bachelor" was third, beating the 4.5/7 for NBC's "Superstars of "Dance." The CW was fifth with a 1.9/3 for "Gossip Girl."

CBS stayed on top at 9 p.m. with "Two and Half Men" (10.4/15) and "Worst Week" (6.6/10). FOX's "24" improved to a 7.3/11 in its second hour. ABC's "The Bachelor" stayed third with a 6.2/9, while NBC's "Superstars" dipped in its second hour. The CW's "One Tree Hill" improved slightly on its lead-in.

At 10 p.m. CBS got a 10.1/17 for "CSI: Miami." ABC's "True Beauty" was second with 4.5/7. NBC's "Momma's Boys" 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.