TV Ratings: 'Grey's Anatomy' crossover helps ABC split Thursday

CBS still wins overall thanks to 'Survivor: Tocantins' and 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'

By Daniel Fienberg Friday, Feb 13, 2009 11:49 AM

Kate Walsh and Grant Show either on 'Grey's Anatomy' or 'Private Practice'

Credit: Ron Tom/ABC

Fast National ratings for Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009.

In an amusing twist, ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice" crossed over on Thursday night, but it was the low-rated "Private Practice" that actually managed to win its hour. Meanwhile, CBS still controlled the first two primetime hours overall.

ABC won Thursday night in the key 18-49 demographic with a 4.6 rating, topping the 4.0 rating for CBS. NBC was third with a 3.1 rating, while FOX's 1.4 rating and the 0.9 rating for The CW followed.

Overall, though, CBS averaged an estimated 14.2 million viewers and an 8.6/14 to carry the night. ABC was second with a 7.9/13. NBC was well back with a 4.4/7. FOX was fourth with a 2.6/4 and The CW's 1.4/2 trailed.

CBS started the night off in first with an 8.1/13 for the premiere of "Survivor: Tocantins." ABC's "Ugly Betty" was second with a 4.9/8. NBC's "My Name Is Earl" and "Kath & Kim" was third, beating the 2.5/4 for FOX's NAACP Image Awards telecast and the 1.5/2 for a "Smallville" repeat on The CW.

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" did a 10.8/17 for CBS in the 9 p.m. hour. "Grey's Anatomy" was second for ABC with a 9.7/15 (and won the hour in the 18-49 demo). NBC's "The Office" (5.3/8) and "30 Rock" (4.6/7) followed. FOX's NAACP Image Awards and "Supernatural" on The CW trailed.

"Private Practice" got a huge crossover bump, doing a 9.1/15 for ABC in the 10 p.m. hour. CBS' "Eleventh Hour" was second with a 7.0/12 and NBC's "E.R." 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.

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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.