TV Ratings: Wednesday 'Idol' results favor FOX

Danny Gokey of 'American Idol'

Credit: Chris Cuffaro/FOX

Fast National ratings for Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009.

Carried by a strong performance by the season's first "American Idol" results show (and a less strong performance from "Lie to Me"), FOX easily won Wednesday night in most key measures.

Among adults 18-49, FOX averaged a 6.5 rating, beating ABC's 3.0 rating and the 2.9 rating for CBS in the key demographic. NBC's 1.7 rating was fourth and The CW's 0.3 rating was extra-low in fifth.

Overall, FOX averaged an estimated 17.8 million viewers and a 10.3 rating/16 share. CBS was second with a 7.4/12. ABC was a distant third with a 4.6/7, while NBC's 3.9/6 was enough for fourth. The CW's 0.6/1 trailed.

"American Idol," which set the first three members of the season's Top 12, won the 8 p.m. hour with a 14.0/22 for FOX. CBS' "The New Adventures of Old Christine" and "Gary Unmarried" were second with a 4.7/6. NBC's "Knight Rider" and ABC's "Lost" repeat tied for third, wile The CW got a 0.6/1 from a "Privileged" repeat.

CBS moved into first at 9 p.m. with the 9.5/15 for "Criminal Minds." FOX's "Lie to Me" squandered more than half of its lead-in and fell to a 6.6/10, nipping the 6.5/10 for ABC's "Lost," though "Lost" won the hour in the 18-49 demo. NBC's "Life" was fourth with a 3.3/5. The CW's "90210" was fifth.

"CSI: NY" gave the 10 p.m. hour to CBS with an 8.1/14. NBC's "Law & Order" was second with a 4.8/8, while ABC's "Life on Mars" was well back in 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.