TV Ratings: 'Dating in the Dark' helps ABC's Monday win

ABC wins the 18-49 demo with a 'Bachelorette' special, but CBS' repeats tie for the overall win

By Daniel FienbergTuesday, Jul 21, 2009 11:27 AM

'Dating in the Dark'

Credit: ABC

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Fast National ratings for Monday, July 20, 2009.

The series premiere of "Dating in the Dark" helped ABC improve on the time period performance from former occupant "Here Come the Newlyweds," boosting the network's Monday night performance. [Oh and pay no attention if we refer to "Dating in the Dark" as "Dancing in the Dark." We're just big Bjork fans.]

Among adults 18-49, ABC averaged a 2.6 rating to beat CBS' 2.2 rating for the night. FOX was third in the key demographic with a 1.3 rating, followed by the 0.9 rating for NBC and The CW's 0.3 rating.

Overall, ABC and CBS both averaged a 4.9 rating/9 share, though CBS averaged an estimated 7.52 million viewers, nipping the 7.43 million for ABC. FOX was well back in third with a 2.7/5, with NBC's 2.4/4 right behind. The CW's 0.5/1 trailed.

ABC's "The Bachelorette: The Men Tell All" special was first in the 8 p.m. hour with a 5.2/9. CBS' "How I Met Your Mother" and "Rules of Engagement" averaged a 3.5/6 to edge FOX's "House" repeat for second. NBC's "Great American Road Trip" was third with a 2.3/4, beating the 0.6/1 for The CW's "One Tree Hill."

CBS moved into first at 9 p.m. with a 5.8/10 for "Two and a Half Men" and "The Big Bang Theory." ABC's "Bachelorette" special was second with a 5.4/9 and edged CBS' comedy in the 18-49 demographic. NBC's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" finished just ahead of the 2.4/4 for "Lie to Me" on FOX. The CW's "Gossip Girl" slipped from its lead-in.

In the 10 p.m. hour, CBS finished first with a 5.6/10 for "CSI: Miami." ABC's "Dating in the Dark" had a 4.1/7 for second and one the hour with a 2.5 rating in the 18-49 demo. In addition, ABC's new reality series barely dropped at the half-hour, giving the network cause for optimism. "Dateline NBC" was well back in third for the hour.

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.