TV Ratings: Word Series holds off CBS, ABC Thursday favorites

Yankees-Phillies game holds off 'CSI,' 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'The Vampire Diaries'

By Daniel Fienberg Friday, Oct 30, 2009 11:43 AM

Hideki Matsui of the New York Yankees

Credit: Eric Gay/AP

Fast National ratings for Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009.

The New York Yankees knotted up the World Series at a game apiece on Thursday night, which was double good news for FOX. Not only did the game help the network dominate CBS and ABC's Thursday powerhouse, but it guaranteed at this series between media market favorites will extend for at least five games, boosting the network's November Sweeps bottom line.

Among adults 18-49, FOX averaged a 5.3 rating for the night, down from Game One, but still robust against Thursday competition. ABC was second with a 3.8 rating, followed closely by a 3.5 rating for CBS. NBC's 2.4 rating was fourth in the coveted demographic, while The CW had a strong night as well, doing a 1.7 demo rating.

Overall, FOX averaged an estimated 17.12 million viewers to go with a 10.7 rating/17 share. CBS got to finish second this time, doing an 8.5/13, with 14.12 million viewers. ABC's 6.8/11, with 10.54 million viewers, finished third. NBC was a distant fourth with a 3.5/6 and 5.56 million viewers. The CW trailed with a 2.1/3 and 3.53 million viewers.

Game Two between the Yankees and Phillies started the night in first for FOX, doing a 10.6/17 and a 5.0 demo rating in the 8 p.m. hour. CBS' reliable "Survivor: Samoa" had a 7.1/11 and a 3.7 demo rating, both second for the hour. ABC's "FlashForward" was third with a 5.7/9, down nearly a million viewers and several demo ratings tenths. NBC's "Community" and "Parks and Recreation" were very slightly up for the week. It was a big week for The CW's "The Vampire Diaries," which did a 2.6/4, with 4.19 million viewers and a 2.0 demo rating.

FOX's baseball coverage was nearly unchanged in winning the 9 p.m. hour. CBS' "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" was second with a 9.0/14 overall. ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" was a close third with an 8.6/14 and finished a close second in the 18-49 demo with a 5.1 rating. NBC's "The Office" and "30 Rock" had a 4.2/6 for the hour and a 3.6 rating in the demo. The CW's "Supernatural" was also up, boosted by its lead-in to a 1.7/3.

CBS won the 10 p.m. hour with a 9.4/15 for "The Mentalist." While ABC's "Private Practice" was second overall, it nipped CBS for the hourly demo win. NBC's "The Jay Leno Show" had a 2.9/5 and 4.38 million viewers on a dismal Thursday (though the show's 1.6 demo rating wasn't particularly low).

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.

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.