TV Ratings: CBS, FOX split Thursday

CBS wins overall with 'CSI' and 'The Mentalist,' but 'So You Think You Can Dance' gives FOX the 18-49 demo

By Daniel Fienberg Friday, Jul 17, 2009 11:33 AM

Mary Murphy of 'So You Think You Can Dance'

Credit: FOX

Fast National ratings for Thursday, July 16, 2009.

The numbers for FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance" continue to slip, even for Thursday elimination episodes, but FOX was still able to forge a split for the night with CBS.

Among adults 18-49, FOX averaged a 1.9 rating, narrowly beating CBS' 1.7 rating in the key demographic. NBC's 1.2 rating and ABC's 0.9 rating followed, leaving The CW in fifth with a 0.4 rating.

Overall, though, CBS averaged an estimated 7.14 million viewers in primetime to go with a 4.7 rating/9 share. FOX's 4.0/7 was second. ABC had a 2.4/4 to finish a distant third, nipping the 2.3/4 for NBC. The CW trailed with a 0.9/2.

CBS started the night in first with a 3.6/7 for the season's first elimination episode of "Big Brother 11." Although "Big Brother" had down over a million viewers from last week's premiere, the reality show still won the 18-49 demo for the hour. FOX was second with a 3.3/6 for "Bones." ABC's new special was third with a 2.9/6, beating NBC's "30 Rock" and "The Office" repeats. The CW's "Smallville" had a 1.0/2 for fifth.

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" had a 4.9/9 to give the 9 p.m. hour to CBS. FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance" had a 4.6/8 and won the hour with a 2.5 rating in the 18-49 demo. ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and NBC's "The Office" and "30 Rock" both posted a 2.0/4 (advantage NBC in both total viewers and 18-49) to finish third. The CW's "Supernatural" trailed.

At 10 p.m. CBS' "The Mentalist" was up to a 5.6/10 in first. NBC's "The Listener" was second with a 2.7/5. ABC's "Private Practice" 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.

Daniel Fienberg
Executive Editor

A long-time member of the TCA Board and a longer-time blogger of "American Idol," Dan Fienberg writes about TV, except for when he writes about movies or sometimes writes about the Red Sox. But never music. He would sound stupid talking about music.