TV Ratings: Soft 'Grey's Anatomy' return gives ABC Thursday split

Ellen Pompeo of 'Grey's Anatomy'

Credit: Scott Garfield/ABC

Fast National ratings for Thursday, April 23, 2009.

It wasn't an encouraging Thursday for the major TV networks. ABC's dramas had soft returns, CBS "Harper's Island" continues to slip and NBC's "Southland" took a drop after delivering solid numbers in its first two weeks.

ABC won the night in the 18-49 demographic, doing a 3.2 rating, nipping the 3.1 rating for CBS. NBC's 2.7 rating and the 2.6 rating for FOX were also close in the key demo. The CW's 1.2 rating was enough for fifth.

Overall, though, CBS averaged an estimated 11.1 million viewers to go with a 7.0 rating/12 share. ABC's 6.2/10 followed closely, with FOX's 4.8/8 a ways back in third. NBC finished fourth with a 4.3/7, beating the 1.9/3 for The CW.

CBS won the 8 p.m. hour with a 6.9/12 for "Survivor: Tocantins." FOX's "Bones" had a 5.4/9 for second. A repeat of "Grey's Anatomy" on ABC tied for third with the 3.5/6 for NBC's "My Name Is Earl" and "Parks & Recreation." The CW finished fifth the 2.0/3 for a new "Smallville."

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" was on the low side for CBS with a 9.2/14 in the 9 p.m. hour. ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," with its first new episode in weeks, was also low with an 8.8/14. FOX's "Hell's Kitchen" was a distant" third, nipping the 4.1/7 averaged by NBC's "The Office" and "30 Rock." The CW's "Supernatural" had a 1.8/3.

In the 10 p.m. hour, ABC's "Private Practice" held the lead with a 6.4/11. The return of the ABC show took a big bite out of NBC's "Southland," which was down to a 5.3/9. "Harper's Island" took a smaller drop, but still held 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.