TV Ratings: President Obama helps CBS, NBC split Tuesday

Mark Harmon of 'NCIS'

Credit: Cliff Lipson/CBS

Fast National ratings for Tuesday, March 24, 2009.

President Obama's latest primetime press conference forced the networks to move their schedules around on Tuesday night, most conspicuously leaving FOX without a new "American Idol" and giving CBS and NBC the chance to each claim a ratings crown.

NBC won among adults 18-49, doing a 3.5 rating in the key demographic. CBS' 3.2 rating and the 2.8 rating for ABC followed closely. FOX was fourth with a 1.6 rating and The CW's 0.6 rating was fifth.

Overall, though, CBS won handily, averaging an estimated 14.99 million viewers in primetime to go with a 9.6 rating/15 share. ABC was second with a 7.1/11, while NBC's 6.0/9 was good enough for third. FOX was a distant fourth with a 2.7/4, while The CW trailed with a 1.1/2.

In the 8 p.m. hour, four of the five networks televised President Obama's press conference. CBS led the way in that hour with a 6.4/10, followed closely by ABC and NBC. FOX was a distant fourth with a 2.8/4. On The CW, a new episode of "Reaper" got a very minor Obama bounce and did a 1.5/2.

CBS moved into first at 9 p.m. with an 11.2/17 for a new episode of "NCIS." The season's second "Dancing with the stars" results show gave ABC a 10.1/15 for second. NBC's "Biggest Losers: Couples" was third with a 5.8/9. FOX's "House" repeat and an old "90210" on The CW trailed.

"The Mentalist" won the 10 p.m. hour for CBS with an 11.2/18. NBC's "Biggest Loser: Couples" was up to a 6.6/11 and easily won the hour in the 18-49 demo. ABC's "What Would You Do?" special had a 5.6/9 for 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, particularly in the case of live events.

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