TV Ratings: Sunday Games Favor CBS and FOX

FOX claims the 18-49 demo, while CBS Wins in overall audience

By Daniel Fienberg Sunday, Dec 7, 2008 1:48 PM

Jimmy Wolk in 'Front of the Class'

Credit: CBS

Fast National Ratings for Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008.

Carried by long-running NFL games, FOX was able to grab the Sunday night demo crown, while CBS won the night in total viewers.

FOX won the 18-49 demographic with a 4.6 rating in the key range, though the network's totals were heavily influenced by NFL overrun, rather than normal programming. ABC was second in the key demo with a 3.7 rating, followed by NBC's 3.6 rating. CBS was fourth with a 2.8, still easily beating the 0.5 rating for The CW.

In total viewers, CBS averaged 11.99 million and a 7.6 rating/12 share for the night. FOX was second with a 6.7/10, nipping the 6.6/10 for ABC and the 6.1/9 for NBC. The CW stayed fifth with a 1.0/1.

FOX's football coverage had an 11.5/18 in the 7 p.m. hour. CBS Was second with an 8.9/14 for "60 Minutes." The ABC special "Ty Pennington: Behind the Scenes" had a 3.5/6 for third, beating NBC's NFL pregame. On The CW, "Jericho" had a 0.8/1, better than the previous set of MRC Sunday programming.

NBC's football game between the Ravens and Redskins had a 7.0/11 to with the 8 p.m. hour. CBS was second with a 6.3/10 for the season finale of "The Amazing Race," nipping the total for ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,." FOX's "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy" drooped to a 4.8/7, leaving The CW's airing of "The Cutting Edge" in last with a 1.0/2.

ABC grabbed first at 9 p.m. with a 9.9/15 for "Desperate Housewives." NBC's football was second with a 7.7/11, while CBS got a 7.1/10 for the first hour of the telefilm "Front of the Class." FOX's "Family Guy" and "American Dad" and The CW's movie trailed.

CBS' movie improved to an 8.0/13 in its second hour. ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" had a 6.9/11 for second, better than NBC's football.

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All ratings information comes from preliminary Fast National 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.