TV Ratings: NFL, 'Big Brother' lead Thursday

Chad Pennington of the Miami Dolphins

Credit: Brian Blanco/AP

Fast National ratings for Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009.

An NFL preseason matchup between the Dolphins and the Buccaneers helped FOX win the 18-49 demo on Thursday, but CBS controlled the evening overall.

Among adults 18-49, FOX averaged a 2.3 rating, nipping the 2.1 rating for CBS in the coveted demographic. NBC was third with a 1.4 rating, with ABC's 1.1 rating and the 0.7 rating for The CW trailing.

Overall, though, CBS averaged an estimated 8.14 million viewers to go with a 5.2 rating/9 share. FOX was second with a 4.0/7, far ahead of the 2.8/5 for ABC and NBC's 2.5/4. The CW trailed with a 1.1/2.

CBS began the night in first with a 5.0/9 for "Big Brother 11," which also won its hour with a 2.7 rating in the demo. FOX's NFL preseason game had a 4.4/8 and was right behind with a 2.5 demo rating. ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" repeat took third, beating NBC's "30 Rock" and "Parks and Recreation." The CW's "Supernatural" had a 1.1/2 for third.

In the 9 p.m. hour CBS' overall lead grew with a 5.4/9 for "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation." FOX's football was down to a 3.7/6 overall, but won the hour in the 18-49 demo. Another "Grey's Anatomy" episode had a 3.1/5 for third, while NBC's "The Office" and "30 Rock" took fourth with a 2.3/4. The CW's "Supernatural" lost a few viewers.

"The Mentalist" delivered a 5.3/9 for CBS in the 10 p.m. hour. NBC's "Law & Order" had a 2.9/5 and left ABC's "Private Practice" in third. 

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

• Follow

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.