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Fox wins third
straight night with Series

Averages a 4.8 in 18-49s, well ahead of No. 2 CBS

By Toni Fitzgerald
Nov 3, 2009

For the third straight night, the World Series carried Fox to a sweeps victory.

The network finished 23 percent ahead of No. 2 CBS, averaging a 4.8 adults 18-49 rating and 12 share, according to Nielsen overnights, to CBS's 3.9/10.

As a reminder, ratings for Fox’s World Series coverage are approximate as fast nationals measure timeslot and not actual program data.

Still, they do indicate that the network dominated the night once again, as the Philadelphia Phillies forced a game six with an 8-6 victory over the New York Yankees, who entered the game with a 3-1 series lead.

CBS had the highest-rated scripted series of the night with "The Big Bang Theory," which averaged a 4.6 at 9:30 p.m., outdrawing lead-in "Two and a Half Men" for the sixth time in six weeks.

Meanwhile, for the night, ABC placed third at 3.0/8, NBC fourth at 2.0/5, Univision fifth at 1.3/3 and CW sixth at 1.0/3.

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.

Also, ratings for Fox’s World Series coverage are approximate as fast nationals measure timeslot and not actual program data.

Fox led each hour of the night, beginning with a 4.9 at 8 p.m. for baseball. CBS was second with a 3.4 for “How I Met Your Mother” (3.5) and “Accidentally on Purpose” (3.2), ABC third with a 3.2 for “Dancing with the Stars,” NBC fourth with a 2.6 for “Heroes,” Univision fifth with a 1.3 for “El Nombre del Amor” and CW sixth with a 1.1 for “One Tree Hill.”

At 9 p.m. Fox was first with a 4.7 for baseball, followed by CBS with a 4.5 for “Men” (4.4) and “Bang” (4.6). ABC was third with a 3.4 for more “Stars,” NBC fourth with a 2.1 for “Trauma,” Univision fifth with a 1.6 for “Sortilegio” and CW sixth with a 1.0 for “Gossip Girl.”

Fox finished first again at 10 p.m. with a 4.9 for more baseball, while CBS remained second with a 3.7 for “CSI: Miami.” ABC was third with a 2.4 for “Castle,” NBC fourth with a 1.3 for “The Jay Leno Show” and Univision fifth with a 1.1 for “Cristina.”

Fox led the night among households with a 9.5 average overnight rating and a 15 share. ABC was second at 9.3/14, CBS third at 7.2/11, NBC fourth at 3.5/5, Univision fifth at 1.9/3 and CW sixth at 1.5/2.

Toni Fitzgerald is a staff writer for Media Life.	© 2009 Media Life Magazine

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