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.