For NBC, the writers’ strike really is serving as more of a boon than a burden. The network notched its fifth strong night in a row thanks in large part to the debut of the new reality series “American Gladiators.”

“Gladiators” averaged a 5.9 adults 18-49 rating from 9 to 11 p.m., according to Nielsen overnights, becoming the highest-rated new show on any network this year and generating NBC's best non-sports numbers in the timeslot in more than three years.

“Gladiators,” a remake of the old syndicated series, remained very steady throughout its debut, despite facing ABC’s highly anticipated original episode of “Desperate Housewives” at 9 p.m., the second of a two-parter that began last month and the final original of the hit series left.

The NBC show, which moves to its regular timeslot tonight, peaked with a 6.1 during its final half hour at 10:30 after averaging a 5.5 in its first half hour. That helped NBC finish within a tenth of a point of leaders ABC and CBS for the night.

It was the most recent success for NBC, which also saw strong premieres for veteran reality shows “The Biggest Loser” and “Celebrity Apprentice” last week, and aired the season’s top-rated show, an AFC playoff game, on Saturday.

As mentioned above, ABC and CBS tied for first for the night among viewers 18-49, each with a 4.5 average overnight rating and an 11 share, with NBC third at 4.4/11, Fox fourth at 2.7/6, Univision fifth at 1.3/3 and CW sixth at 0.3/1.
 
CBS started the night in the lead with a 7.7 rating at 7 p.m. for the end of its NFL football coverage and the first half hour of “60 Minutes.” ABC was second with a 2.4 for “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” NBC third with a 2.2 for “Deal or No Deal,” Fox fourth with a 1.9 for an hour of “American Dad” repeats, Univision fifth with a 1.2 for “Hora Pico” and CW sixth with a 0.2 for “CW Now” and a repeat of “Aliens in America.”
 
At 8 p.m. CBS and ABC tied for first at 4.7, CBS for the last half of “60 Minutes” and the first half hour of “The Amazing Race” and ABC for “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” NBC was third with a 3.7 for another hour of “Deal or No Deal,” Fox fourth with a 3.6 for “The Simpsons” (3.9) and “King of the Hill” (3.3), Univision fifth with a 1.2 for the first of three hours of “5 Magnificos” and CW sixth with a 0.3 for “Life is Wild.”
 
ABC took the lead at 9 p.m. with a 7.2 for “Housewives,” followed by NBC with a 5.7 for the first hour of “Gladiators.” CBS was third with a 3.2 for the end of “Race” and the start of “Cold Case,” Fox fourth with a 2.7 for a repeat of “Family Guy” and a new “American Dad” (2.4), Univision fifth with a 1.2 for “Magnificos” and CW sixth with a 0.3 for a repeat of “Crowned.”
 
At 10 p.m. NBC took the lead with a 6.0 for the second hour of “Gladiators,” with ABC second with a 3.8 for the series premiere of “Cashmere Mafia.” CBS was third with a 2.3 for the last half of “Case” and the first half of a “Shark” repeat and Univision fourth with a 1.3 for its last hour of “Magnificos.”
 
Among households, CBS was first for the night with a 9.8 average overnight rating and a 15 share. ABC was second at 7.8/12, NBC third at 6.5/10, Fox fourth at 3.5/5, Univision fifth at 1.4/2 and CW sixth at 0.6/1.