TV Ratings: Yankees, FOX clinch Sunday wins

FOX baseball beats NBC football on Sunday, while 'Desperate Housewives' has a solid week

By Daniel Fienberg Monday, Oct 26, 2009 11:41 AM

The Yankees celebrate another trip to the World Series

Credit: Elise Amendola/AP

Fast National ratings for Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

The New York Yankees completed their six-game series win over the Los Angeles Angeles of Anaheim on Sunday night, combining with a healthy dose of NFL overrun to help FOX pull a Sunday night upset over NBC's normally victorious football coverage.

Among adults 18-49, FOX averaged a 5.9 rating for the night, beating the 4.2 rating for NBC and ABC's 3.3 rating. CBS' 2.2 rating was fourth in the all-important demographic.

Overall, FOX averaged an estimated 16.88 million viewers to go with a 10.0 rating/16 share. ABC and NBC both posted a 6.7/11, with NBC holding a slim advantage in total viewers. Again, it was a rare Sunday night in last for CBS with a 6.3/10.

FOX began the night in first with a 12.1/20 for NFL overrun and regional coverage. CBS' "60 Minutes," starting uncharacteristically on-time, was second with a 7.9/13. ABC's "America's Funniest Home Videos" was third with a 4.9/8, beating NBC's "Football Night in America."

In the 8 p.m. hour, FOX's baseball playoff coverage began with a 9.3/14, also winning the hour with a 5.3 demo rating. NBC's broadcast of the Giants and Cardinals came in second, while ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and CBS' "The Amazing Race" were tied with a 6.4/10.

In the 9 p.m. hour, ABC's "Desperate Housewives" won overall with an 8.8/13. FOX's baseball was second an 8.5/13, but NBC's NFL coverage had more viewers and a higher demo rating than either ABC's soap or FOX's baseball. CBS' "Three Rivers" was fourth with a 5.0/8 and a dismal 1.8 demo rating.

NBC closed the night in first with a 7.7/13 for its football telecast. ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" was second with a 6.7/10. CBS' "Cold Case" gained in viewers from its lead-in, but slipped slightly in the demo.

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.