TV Ratings: People's Choice on Wednesday is CBS

Heath Ledger in 'The Dark Knight'

Credit: Warner Bros.

Fast National ratings for Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009.

It wasn't a rout, but enough people chose to watch CBS' "Dark Knight"-dominated People's Choice Awards telecast on Wednesday night to give CBS a primetime win.

Among adults 18-49, CBS averaged a 2.7 rating to take the night. ABC and NBC finished second in the key demographic with a 2.3 rating, while FOX's 1.8 rating was also in the mix. The CW was fifth with a 0.8 rating.

Overall, CBS averaged an estimated 8.8 million viewers and a 5.7 rating/9 share for the night, nipping the 5.6/9 for ABC and NBC's 5.1/8. FOX was fourth with a 4.2/7, leaving The CW in fifth with a 1.1/2. 

CBS started the night off in first with a 5.0/8 for "The New Adventures of Old Christine" and "Gary Unmarried." FOX's "Bones" had a 4.3/7 for second, followed by NBC's new "Knight Rider" with a 3.7/6. ABC finished fourth with a reairing of Tuesday night's "Scrubs" premiere. On The CW, the first episode of "13 - Fear Is Real" had a 1.4/2 and attracted fewer than 2.4 million viewers.

The first hour of the People's Choice Awards had a 6.6/10 for CBS in the 9 p.m. hour. ABC's "20/20" had a 5.4/9 to take second, beating a "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" repeat on NBC. FOX's "Bones" was fourth with a 4.1/6. The CW's "90210" encore was fifth. 

ABC moved into first at 10 p.m. with a Barbara Walters special, which did an 8.4/14. NBC's "Law & Order" was second with a 6.8/11. CBS' People's Choice broadcast dropped off to third.

All ratings information comes from preliminary Fast National data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are subject to change.