TV Ratings: CBS dominates Sunday with NCAA hoops, Obama

President Barack Obama

Credit: AP

Fast National ratings for Sunday, March 22, 2009.

CBS controlled Sunday night's ratings, but how did the network do it? Was it largely run-over from a series of close NCAA second round games? Was it a "60 Minutes" interview with President Barack Obama? It's hard to know.

Among adults 18-49, CBS won the night with a 3.5 rating, nipping the 3.4 rating for ABC. FOX was a distant third with a 3.4 rating, followed by the 2.1 rating for NBC. The CW was fifth with a 0.3 rating.

Overall, CBS had things easier with an estimated 13.55 million viewers and an 8.3 rating/14 share, though those are likely to change, as is the nature with life events. ABC was well back in second with a 6.5/11, comfortably ahead of the 4.1/7 for NBC. FOX's 3.0/5 and The CW's 0.6/1 followed.

In the 7 p.m. hour, CBS won with the 9.5/17 combination of NCAA Tournament games and "60 Minutes." NBC was second with a 4.3/8 for "Dateline NBC," nipping ABC's "America's Funniest Home Videos" in the ratings, though ABC's show was ahead in viewers. FOX' "Hole in the Wall" was fourth, beating The CW's 0.6/1 for a repeat of "Jericho."

At 8 p.m. CBS had a 9.9/16 for the combination of "60 Minutes" and "The Amazing Race." ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" had a 5.8/9 for second. FOX's "The Simpsons" and "King of the Hill" averaged 3.5/6 between them, beating the dismal 2.9/5 for the second week of "Kings" on NBC. The CW's broadcast of "The Mod Squad" was fifth.

ABC moved into first at 9 p.m. with a 9.2/14 for "Desperate Housewives." CBS fell to second with a 7.0/11 for the combination of "The Amazing Race" and "Cold Case." NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice" and FOX's "Family Guy" and "American Dad" tied with a 4.1/6, with FOX holding an actual advantage in both viewers and the 18-49 demo. The CW's movie was last.

"Brothers & Sisters" had a 7.0/11 to win the 10 p.m. hour for ABC. CBS' "Cold Case" and "The Unit" was second with a 6.8/11. NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice" improved in its second hour, but still finished 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, particularly in the case of live events.

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