TV Ratings: CBS runs Friday 'Numb3rs' again

Jennifer Love Hewitt of "Ghost Whisperer"

Credit: Cliff Lipson/CBS

Fast National ratings for Friday, Dec. 19, 2008.

With new episodes of "Ghost Whisperer" and "Numb3rs," CBS had no trouble winning Friday night in most key measures.

In the coveted 18-49 demographic, CBS averaged a 2.1 rating, better than FOX and NBC's 1.3 rating or the 1.2 rating for ABC. The CW's 0.5 rating trailed.

Overall, CBS averaged just under 9.1 million viewers, plus a 5.8 rating/10 share for the night. NBC was a distant second with a 3.6/6, followed closely by FOX's 3.4/6 and the 2.8/5 for ABC. The CW's 0.9/1 trailed.

"Ghost Whisperer" started strong for CBS, delivering the night's highest ratings with a 6.5/11. FOX's "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" was second with a 3.8/7. ABC's "Wife Swap" grabbed third, nipping the returns for NBC's encore of the "Momma's Boy" premiere. The CW's "Everybody Hates Chris" and "The Game" averaged a 0.9/2 between them.

A repeat of "Numb3rs" gave CBS a 5.1/9 in the 9 p.m. hour. "Dateline NBC" was second with a 4.1/7, comfortably beating the 3.0/5 for "Don't Forget the Lyrics." ABC's "Supernanny" was fourth with a 2.2/1 and The CW's comedy repeats dipped slightly in fifth.

At 10 p.m. new "Numb3rs" moved up to a 5.8/10. "Dateline NBC" had a 4.4/8 and ABC's "20/20" wasn't far off in third.

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

Daniel Fienberg
Executive Editor

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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.