TV Ratings: CBS has Thursday night 'Password'

Regis Philbin of "Million Dollar Password

Credit: CBS

Fast National ratings for Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008.

On a Thursday mostly devoid of new programming, CBS still dominated the night in most key measures.

In the 18-49 demographic advertisers crave, CBS Averaged a 2.2. rating, edging out the 1.9 rating for FOX and NBC's 1.8 rating. ABC's 1.5 rating followed in fourth, with The CW's 0.8 rating in fifth.

Overall, CBS had a more comfortable margin of victory, averaging 10.3 million viewers in primetime, plus a 6.7 rating/11 share. FOX was a distant second with a 4.2/7, with ABC's 3.4/6 and NBC's 2.9/5 next in line. The CW was fifth with a 1.4/5.

CBS swept the primetime hours starting at 8 p.m. with a 5.3/9 for "Million Dollar Password." Interestingly, viewers were all about millionaires for the hour, as FOX's "Secret Millionaire" had a 4.0/7 and won the frame with a 2.0 demo rating. ABC's "Ugly Betty" and NBC's "My Name Is Earl" and "KAth & Kim" followed. The CW's "Smallville" did a 1.5/3 for fifth.

A repeat of "CSI" delivered an 8.0/13 for CBS in the 9 p.m. hour. FOX's "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader" was second with a 4.4/7. ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" held off the 3.1/5 for repeats of "The Office" and "30 Rock" on NBC. The CW's "Supernatural" slipped only slightly from its lead-in. 

CBS closed strong with a 6.7/11 for an "Eleventh Hour" repeat. ABC's "Private Practice" was second with a 3.1/5, beating another hour of NBC comedy repeats.

All ratings information comes from preliminary Fast National data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are subject to change.