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ABC edges CBS
with finale of 'Dancing'


Averages a 3.9 in 18-49s, 0.1 ahead of CBS

Nov 25, 2009

Donny Osmond tangoed away with the title and ABC won the night as "Dancing with the Stars" aired its finale, though it was down from the same night last year.

"Stars'" results show averaged a season-high 4.3 adults 18-49 rating from 9 to 11 p.m., according to Nielsen overnights, off 16 percent from a 5.1 last year.

"Stars" has seen declines all season, but it remains one of the top shows on television, especially among total viewers, where it averaged 19.2 million last night. Last year's finale averaged 20.7 million.

The show peaked with a 4.7 18-49 rating at 10:30 p.m. as Osmond upset judges favorite Mya for the victory. Reality star Kelly Osbourne, like Osmond an audience favorite all season, finished third.

That was enough to boost ABC past CBS for the night by a very narrow margin.

ABC averaged a 3.9 18-49 rating for the night and an 11 share. CBS was second at 3.8/11, NBC third at 2.9/8, Fox fourth at 2.1/6, Univision fifth at 1.4/4 and CW sixth at 0.5/1.

As a reminder, all ratings are based on live-plus-same-day DVR playback. Seven-day DVR data won’t be available for several weeks. Thirty-three percent of Nielsen households have DVRs.

CBS was first at 8 p.m. with a 4.4 for “NCIS,” followed by NBC with a 3.2 for “The Biggest Loser.” ABC was third with a 3.1 for “V,” Fox fourth with a 2.2 for “So You Think You Can Dance,” Univision fifth with a 1.3 for “El Nombre del Amor” and CW sixth with a 0.5 for a repeat of “90210.”

At 9 p.m. CBS was first again with a 4.3 for “NCIS: Los Angeles,” its second-best rating ever thanks to an "NCIS" character's crossover. ABC moved to second with a 3.9 for “Stars.” NBC was third with a 3.7 for more “Loser,” Fox fourth with a 2.0 for more “Dance,” Univision fifth with a 1.8 for “Sortilegio” and CW sixth with a 0.4 for a “Melrose Place” rerun.

ABC took the lead at 10 p.m. with a 4.6 for more “Stars,” with CBS second with a 2.8 for “The Good Wife.” NBC was third with a 1.9 for “The Jay Leno Show,” tying its second-highest rating in seven weeks, and Univision fourth with a 1.1 for “Aqui y Ahora.”

CBS led the night among households with a 10.3 average overnight rating and a 17 share. ABC was second at 9.8/16, NBC third at 4.7/8, Fox fourth at 3.3/5, Univision fifth at 1.9/3 and CW sixth at 0.7/1.



Toni Fitzgerald is a staff writer for Media Life.




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