TV Ratings: 'Criminal Minds,' 'CSI: NY' lead CBS Wednesday win

'Glee,' 'Modern Family' and 'America's Next Top Model' also deliver solid performances

Thursday, Nov 19, 2009 11:50 AM

Daniel Fienberg

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TV Ratings: 'Criminal Minds,' 'CSI: NY' lead CBS Wednesday win

Skeet Ulrich of 'CSI: NY'

Credit: CBS

Fast National ratings for Wednesday, November 18, 2009.

Strong, hour-winning performances from "Criminal Minds" and "CSI: NY" helped CBS to a convincing Wednesday night win in most key measures.

Among adults 18-49, CBS averaged a 3.1 rating, beating the 2.7 rating for FOX and ABC's 2.6 rating. NBC's 2.0 rating was fourth in the all-important demographic, with the 1.3 rating for The CW trailing.

Overall, CBS had a bit more breathing room, averaging an estimated 11.49 million viewers to go with a 7.3 rating/12 share. NBC's 4.7/8 was a distant second, followed closely by the 4.6/8 for ABC and FOX's 3.9/6. The CW trailed with a 1.8/3 for the night.

NBC actually started the evening out in first overall with a 5.1/8 for "Mercy," though the medical drama finished fourth in the 18-49 demo. CBS' "The New Adventures of Old Christine" and "Gary Unmarried" averaged a 4.6/8 overall and did a 2.4 rating to win the 18-49 demo for the hour. ABC's "Modern Family" repeat and a new "The Middle" finished third overall and second in the 18-49 demo. FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance" had a 3.5/6 for fourth. The season finale of The CW's "America's Next Top Model" had a 2.4/4 and drew 3.66 million viewers.

CBS moved into first at 9 p.m. with an 8.5/13 for "Criminal Minds," which also won the hour in the 18-49 demo with a 3.7 rating. NBC took second with a 5.7/9 for "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." ABC's "Modern Family" (5.4/8) and "Cougar Town" (4.9/8) were third overall and second in the demo with a 3.4 rating. FOX's "Glee" had a 4.3/7 and a 3.2 rating in the demo. The CW's "America's Next Top Model" post-finale special was fifth.

"CSI: NY," featuring guest star Skeet Ulrich, won the 10 p.m. hour with an 8.7/15, pulling in the night's largest overall audience with 13.68 million viewers. ABC's "In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts" was second with a 4.6/8. NBC's "The Jay Leno Show" 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.