TV Ratings: NBC's Sunday NFL holds off 'Survivor' finale

NBC wins the demo, while CBS takes a share of the night overall

By Daniel Fienberg Monday, Dec 21, 2009 11:36 AM

Jonathan Stewart of the Carolina Panthers

Credit: Neil Redmond/AP

Fast National ratings for Sunday, December 20, 2009.

CBS got solid numbers from the finale of "Survivor: Samoa," but couldn't find a way to top NBC's Sunday football game between the Panthers and the Vikings, at least not in the all-important demographics.

Among adults 18-49, NBC averaged a 4.5 rating for the night, topping the 4.4 rating for NFL-aided FOX. CBS was a solid third in the key demographic with a 3.8 rating. ABC's 1.7 rating was a distant fourth.

Overall, NBC averaged just under 13 million viewers in primetime to go with a 7.9 rating/13 share, while CBS averaged a 7.6/12, but actually outdrew NBC with an average of 13.34 million. FOX was third with a 6.3/10, while ABC's 3.6/6 trailed.

FOX started the night off in first with an 11.2/19 for NFL overrun, which also averaged a 7.0 rating in the key demo. CBS' "60 Minutes" was second with an 8.4/14. NBC's NFL pregame barely beat the 3.8/6 for ABC's "America's Funniest Home Videos."

NBC moved into first at 8 p.m. with the start of its Sunday Night Football telecast doing an 8.3/13 and a 4.7 demo rating. House one of the "Survivor: Samoa" finale had a 7.8/12 for CBS and drew more viewers than NBC for the hour. Repeats of "The Simpsons" and "The Cleveland Show" had FOX in third with a 4.2/7. ABC's showing of "The Santa Clause 3" was fourth.

In the 9 p.m. hour, NBC's football improved to a 9.5/15, while CBS' "Survivor" had a 7.6/12 for second. ABC's movie did a 4.2/6, better tahn FOX's repeats of "Family Guy" and "American Dad."

The football game closed primetime strong for NBC, doing a 9.8/16 in the 10 p.m. hour, with a 5.9 rating in the demo. CBS' "Survivor: Samoa Reunion" (which also included the announcement of the season's winner) had a 6.7/11 for second. ABC's "Desperate Housewives" repeat 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, particularly in the case of live events.

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.