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'CSI' triple play
brings hefty ratings kick

CBS show averages a 4.0 in 18-49s, up 14 percent

By Toni Fitzgerald
Nov 13, 2009

The final episode of a three-part franchise crossover boosted "CSI" to its best rating in more than a month last night.

"CSI" averaged a 4.0 adults 18-49 rating at 9 p.m., according to Nielsen overnights, finishing second in the hour to ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," the top show on the night.

"CSI" was up 14 percent from the previous week's 3.4 rating, and it was the drama's highest-rated episode since averaging a 4.1 on Oct. 1.

It was the culmination of a three-parter that kicked off Monday on "CSI: Miami" and continued Wednesday on "CSI: NY." All three shows saw improvement over the previous week for the stunt, which marked the first time "CSI" has done a three-way crossover.

***

ABC was first for the night among 18-49s for the second straight week with a 4.0 average overnight rating and a 10 share. CBS was second at 3.8/10, Fox third at 2.5/7, NBC fourth at 2.4/6, CW fifth at 1.7/4 and Univision sixth at 1.3/3.

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.

At 8 p.m. CBS was first with a 4.0 for “Survivor,” followed by Fox with a 2.9 for “Bones.” ABC was third with a 2.6 for “FlashForward,” NBC fourth with a 2.1 for “Community” (2.1) and “Parks and Recreation” (2.1), CW fifth with a 2.0 for “Vampire Diaries,” its second-best rating ever, and Univision sixth with a 1.3 for “El Nombre del Amor.”

ABC took the lead at 9 p.m. with a 5.4 for “Grey’s,” while CBS slipped to second with a 4.0 for “CSI.” NBC was third with a 3.5 for “The Office” (4.0) and “30 Rock” (2.9), Fox fourth with a 2.2 for “Fringe,” Univision fifth with a 1.6 for “El Nombre del Amor” and CW sixth with a 1.3 for “Supernatural.”

At 10 p.m. ABC was first again with a 3.9 for “Private Practice,” with CBS second with a 3.5 for “The Mentalist.” NBC was third with a 1.6 for “The Jay Leno Show” and Univision fourth with a 1.0 for “Rosa de Guadalupe.”

CBS led the night among households with a 9.5 average overnight rating and a 15 share. ABC was second at 7.2/11, Fox third at 4.8/8, NBC fourth at 3.3/5, CW fifth at 2.2/3 and Univision sixth at 1.8/3.

Toni Fitzgerald is a staff writer for Media Life.	© 2010 Media Life Magazine

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