TV Ratings: CBS unwraps Christmas presence

William Petersen of 'CSI'

Credit: CBS

Fast National ratings for Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008.

A trio of procedurals made CBS the most watched network on Christmas.

Actually, CBS had to share the key young adult demo, doing a 1.4 rating among viewers 18-49, tied with NBC. ABC was third with a 1.1 rating, followed closely by the 1.0 rating for FOX. The CW's 0.5 rating was last.

In total viewers, though, CBS won comfortably, averaging just under 7.1 million viewers, plus a 4.5 rating/9 share. NBC was second with a 3.2/7, followed by ABC's 2.3/5 and the 1.6/3 for FOX. The CW was last with a 0.9/2.

CBS started off in first with a 3.7/8 for "Without a Trace." NBC's "Deal or No Deal," the night's only non-repeat programming, was second with a 3.5/8.  ABC's "Ugly Betty" was third, beating the 1.4/3 for "Kitchen Nightmares" on FOX, plus "Smallville" on The CW.

At 9 p.m. CBS got a 5.0/10 for "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," making it the night's most watched program. NBC's "Deal or No Deal" was close behind with a 4.1/8. ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" did a 2.3/5, which was enough for third. FOX's second episode of "Kitchen Nightmares" was fourth, while "Supernatural" improved slightly on its lead-in for a 1.0/2 on The CW.

"Eleventh Hour" closed the night with a 4.7/10 to give CBS the 10 p.m. hour. ABC's "Private Practice" had a 2.3/5, edging two episodes of "The Office" on NBC.

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