TV Ratings: 'Talent' keeps America watching NBC on Wednesday

Nick Cannon of 'America's Got Talent'

Credit: NBC

Fast National ratings for Wednesday, August 26, 2009.

With "America's Got Talent" holding down its position as Wednesday night's top-rated show both overall and among young adults, NBC held down its position as the night's ratings champ.

Among adults 18-49, NBC averaged a 2.2 rating, just ahead of the 1.8 rating for ABC. CBS and FOX both posted a 1.3 rating in the key demographic for third. The CW's 0.5 rating was fifth.

Overall, NBC averaged an estimated 7.95 million viewers to go with a 5.1 rating/9 share. CBS was second with a 3.8/7, with ABC's 3.3/6 taking third. FOX had a 2.9/5 for fourth, leaving The CW in fifth again with a 0.8/1.

NBC began the night in first with a 4.4/8 for an "America's Got Talent" repeat. ABC's "Wipeout" was a close second with a 4.3/8, while also winning the hour comfortably in the 18-49 demo. CBS' special dedicated to Ted Kennedy was third, nipping the 2.9/5 for FOX's "Bones." The CW was fifth with a 0.9/2 for "America's Next Top Model."

"America's Got Talent," the new version, did a 6.7/11 (and a 2.9 demo rating) for NBC in the 9 p.m. hour. CBS' "Criminal Minds" was a distant second with a 3.8/6. While ABC's premiere of "Crash Course" and FOX's "Bones" both did a 2.9/5, ABC's new show had a substantial advantage in both total viewers and in the 18-49 demo, where it was second for the hour. The CW trailed with "America's Next Top Model."

CBS' "CSI: NY" won the 10 p.m. hour with a 4.3/8, barely topping NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (which won the hour in the 18-49 demo). ABC's "Primetime" special was third with a 2.8/5.

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