TV Ratings: No 'Bones' about it, FOX wins Wednesday

'American Idol' also dominates its Wednesday hour for FOX

By Daniel Fienberg Thursday, Apr 16, 2009 11:51 AM

Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz of 'Bones'

Credit: FOX

Fast National ratings for Thursday, April 14, 2009.

With "American Idol" performing well and a special Wednesday "Bones" outdrawing "Lie to Me" in the 8 p.m. hour, FOX won the night with ease in all key measures.

Among adults 18-49, FOX averaged a 5.5 rating, well ahead of second place ABC's 2.6 rating and the 2.4 rating for CBS. NBC was fourth in the key demographic with a 1.5 rating, narrowly beating the 1.1 rating for The CW.

Overall, FOX averaged an estimated 17.13 million viewers and a 10.3 rating/17 share. CBS was second with a 6.0/10, followed by the 4.2/7 for ABC. NBC finished third with a 3.9/6, still far better than the 1.7/3 for The CW.

FOX easily won the 8 p.m. hour with a 6.9/12 for a new "Bones." NBC was well back in second with its "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" repeat, edging CBS' repeat of "The New Adventures of Old Christine" and "Gary Unmarried." ABC's "Scrubs" and "Better Off Ted" averaged a 3.2/5 for fourth, beating the 2.6/4 for The CW's "America's Next Top Model," which actually finished third in the 18-49 demo, beating both CBS and NBC.

"American Idol" delivered a 13.8/21 for FOX in the 9 p.m. hour. CBS got a 6.7/10 from a "Criminal Minds" repeat to finish second. ABC's "Lost" was third with a 5.4/8, while NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" repeat was fourth. A "90210" encore on The CW was well back in fifth.

CBS had no trouble winning the 10 p.m. hour with a 7.7/13 for a repeat of "CSI: NY." ABC's "The Unusuals" had a 4.1/7 in its second airing tying with NBC's "Law & Order" for the hour.

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.