ABC’s first major sweeps stunt of November, last night’s “CMA Awards,” easily topped the competition despite declining from last year.

The “CMAs” averaged a 5.0 adults 18-49 rating from 8 to 11 p.m., according to Nielsen overnights, giving the network one of its highest-rated evenings this season.

The show was down 7 percent from last year’s 5.4, though that’s hardly surprise. Just about everything, from dramas to sitcoms to awards shows, have seen ratings slip this year.

ABC was 72 percent ahead of Fox and CBS, which tied for No. 2 on the night at 2.9/8.

The "CMAs" averaged 15.8 million total viewers, about equal to last year's average.

NBC’s Wednesday lineup continued to struggle, meanwhile, with 8 p.m.’s “Knight Rider” falling to another series low at a 1.5 nin 18-49s. “Life” at 9 p.m. was off 10 percent from last week to a 1.8, and “Law & Order” remained a distant third in its 10 p.m. slot with a 2.2.

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. Twenty-eight percent of Nielsen households have DVRs.
 
ABC led the night among 18-49s with a 5.0 average overnight rating and a 13 share. As aforementioned, CBS and Fox tied for second at 2.9/8, with NBC fourth at 1.8/5, Univision fifth at 1.5/4 and CW sixth at 1.4/4.
 
ABC was first each hour, beginning with a 4.4 at 8 p.m. for the first hour of the “CMAs,” followed by Fox with a season-high 3.5 for “Bones.” CBS was third with a 2.0 average for “The New Adventures of Old Christine” (2.0) and “Gary Unmarried” (2.1), CW fourth with a 1.9 for “America’s Next Top Model” and NBC and Univision tied for fifth at 1.5, NBC for “Knight Rider” and Univision for “Cuidado con el Angel.”
 
At 9 p.m. ABC led with a 5.4 for “CMAs,” with CBS second with a 3.8 for “Criminal Minds.” Fox was third with a 2.4 for a repeat of “House,” Univision fourth with a 1.9 for “Fuego en la Sangre,” NBC fifth with a 1.8 for “Life” and CW sixth with a 0.9 for “Stylista.”
 
ABC led again at 10 p.m. with a 5.2 for “CMAs,” while CBS remained second with a 3.0 for “CSI: NY.” NBC was third with a 2.2 for “Law & Order” and Univision fourth with a 1.1 for “Don Francisco Presenta.”
 
Among households, ABC was first for the night with a 9.7 average overnight rating and a 15 share. CBS was second at 7.1/11, Fox third at 5.2/8, NBC fourth at 4.2/7, Univision fifth at 2.1/3 and CW sixth at 1.9/3.