CBS’s new drama “Cane” continues to hit new lows in the 10 p.m. Tuesday slot where the network has struggled for several years.

“Cane” averaged a series-low 1.8 rating among adults 18-49 last night, according to Nielsen overnights, off 0.1 from last week and well behind its timeslot competitors.

In fact, those are the kinds of numbers that, in a normal season, would guarantee cancellation. But this year, with the writers on strike and very few original scripted dramas left in the can, “Cane” has remained despite its dismal ratings.

It’s still possible that CBS will yank the Jimmy Smits drama, about a family of rum runners, though it seems unlikely. The show has only a handful of new episodes remaining, and CBS has had no luck in the timeslot with either scripted or nonscripted fare over the last two years, with shows including “Love Monkey,” “The Amazing Race” and “Smith” all airing to disappointing ratings.

Also last night, ABC’s much-maligned comedy “Cavemen” slipped to a 1.6 rating at 8 p.m., down 0.1 from last week and barely half of its premiere rating two months ago. It marked a series low, but again it may be safe because of the strike.

Meanwhile, NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” matched a season high from 8 to 10 p.m., averaging a 3.4 rating.

Fox finished first for the night among viewers 18-49 with a 5.2 average overnight rating and a 13 share. NBC was second at 3.7/10, ABC third at 2.9/8, CBS fourth at 2.8/7, Univision fifth at 1.7/4 and CW sixth at 1.2/3.
 
CBS started the night in the lead with a 3.7 rating at 8 p.m. for “NCIS,” followed by Fox with a 3.4 for “Bones.” NBC was third with a 3.1 for its first hour of “Loser,” ABC fourth with a 1.8 average for “Cavemen” (1.6) and “Carpoolers” (1.9), Univision fifth with a 1.4 for “Amar sin Limites” and CW sixth with a 1.2 for “Beauty and the Geek.”
 
Fox took the lead at 9 p.m. with a 7.0 for “House,” while ABC jumped to second with a 4.1 for its “Dancing with the Stars” results show. NBC was third with a 3.7 for its second half of “The Biggest Loser,” CBS fourth with a 2.9 for “The Unit,” Univision fifth with a 2.6 for “Destilando Amor” and CW sixth with a 1.2 for “Reaper.”
 
At 10 p.m. NBC led with a 4.4 for “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” with ABC second with a 2.9 for “Boston Legal.” CBS was third with a 1.8 for “Cane” and Univision fourth with a 1.0 for “Como Ama una Mujer.”
 
Among households, Fox was first for the night with an 8.1 average overnight rating and a 12 share. CBS was second at 7.8/12, ABC third at 7.7/12, NBC fourth at 6.3/10, Univision fifth at 2.0/3 and CW sixth at 1.7/3.