TV Ratings: 'Idol,' 'Bones' maintain Thursday dominance for FOX

CBS holds second with 'CSI,' 'The Mentalist'

By Daniel Fienberg Friday, May 13, 2011 12:03 PM

David Boreanaz of 'Bones'

Credit: FOX

Fast National ratings for Thursday, May 12, 2011.

"American Idol" was up from last Thursday, while "Bones" scored a demographic win over both "Grey's Anatomy" and "CSI," helping FOX dominate yet another spring Thursday.

Among adults 18-49, FOX averaged a 4.8 rating for the night, far ahead of the 2.7 rating for CBS in the key demographic. ABC was third with a 2.4 rating, beating NBC's 1.9 rating. The CW was fifth with a 1.0 rating.

Overall, FOX averaged an estimated 16.28 million viewers and a 9.4 rating/15 share. CBS was a solid second with a 7.2/12 and nearly 11.5 million viewers. ABC was far back in third with a 4.8/8 and 7.35 million viewers, which was also far ahead of the 2.4/4 and 3.86 million viewers for NBC. The CW was fifth with a 1.5/2 and 2.36 million viewers.

8 p.m. - Getting closer to the end of another strong season, FOX's "American Idol" drew 21.56 million viewers and a 6.2 rating among adults 18-49 in the 8 p.m. hour. CBS was second with "The Big Bang Theory" (10.47 million viewers and a 3.2 demo rating) and a big drop to "Rules of Engagement" (8 million and a 2.3 demo rating). ABC's "Wipeout" was third with 5.46 million viewers. The season finale of "Community" (3.24 million and a 1.4 demo rating) and an "Office" repeat (2.62 million and a 1.2 demo) were fourth overall and tied for fourth in the demo. The season finale of The CW's "Vampire Diaries" got a tiny bump to 2.79 million viewers and a 1.3 demo rating.

9 p.m. - Rising from last week, CBS' "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" averaged 11.49 million viewers to win the 9 p.m. hour, plus a 2.6 demo rating to finish fourth. FOX's "Bones" was second overall with just under 11 million viewers and won the hour with a 3.3 demo rating. "Grey's Anatomy" continued its spring droop with 9.36 million viewers and only a 3.1 rating in the key demo. NBC's "The Office" dropped from last week with 6.245 million viewers and a 3.2 demo rating, contributing to a drop for "Parks and Recreation," with 4.55 million viewers and a 2.4 demo. "Nikita" wrapped up its first season with 1.94 million viewers and a 0.7 demo rating.

10 p.m. - "The Mentalist" maintained its 10 p.m. stranglehold with 13.77 million viewers and a 2.6 demo rating for CBS. ABC's "Private Practice" averaged 7.23 million viewers and a 2.3 demo for second. NBC was third with "Parks and Recreation" (3.57 million viewers and a 2.0 demo) and the season finale of "Outsourced" (2.96 million and a 1.5 demo).

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.