Well before the midseason began, it was clear Fox would quickly shoot ahead in the ratings.
There was the return of "American Idol," of course, and also the Super Bowl. But Fox also had the advantage of a fresh slate of new and returning shows at a time when the other networks would be sinking deeper and deeper into reruns as the writers' strike dragged on.
What's surprising is how far Fox has shot ahead and how quickly.
Less than a week into the February sweeps, Fox would seem to have already wrapped up the win, and likely the season-long victory as well. It would be very difficult for another network to catch up now.
Sunday’s record-setting Super Bowl, coupled with “American Idol,” pushed Fox to the best week in network history, giving it a huge sweeps advantage and the biggest season-to-date lead for any network in a decade.
Fox averaged a 12.9 adults 18-49 rating and 32 share for the week ended Feb. 3, the highest-rated week on any network in 11 years. It was the best in network history and more than doubled the average of the other Big Four networks combined.
That pushed Fox to a 4.1 season-to-date average, up 17 percent from this time last year and 0.9 ahead of No. 2 ABC, the biggest lead at this point in the season of any network since the 1997-’98 season.
For February sweeps, which began last Thursday, Fox leads with a 15.4 rating, with No. 2 ABC at 2.3, NBC at 1.7 and CBS at 1.4. While that huge advantage will shrink, it will still remain sizeable because of “Idol,” “House” and the new hit reality show “Moment of Truth.”
Most of Fox’s surge came courtesy of the Super Bowl. The game posted a 37.5 rating, second-best rating in Fox history behind the 1997 game, and was the top-rated game in 18-49s since the 2000 matchup on ABC.
The postgame “House” episode averaged a series-best 12.9 and became the highest-rated scripted show on broadcast since the post-Super Bowl “Grey’s Anatomy” on ABC two years ago, as well as Fox’s top scripted show in 11 years.
Fox had smartly hoarded remaining episodes of the show, airing one the week before the game and one last night to build on the Super Bowl momentum. Other networks ran out of their hit scripted shows weeks ago.
“Idol,” though down from last year, has also been dominant for Fox. It bettered the combined timeslot average for the competition on the other six broadcast networks, including Univision and Telemundo, by 11 percent last week, averaging a 10.1 to their 9.1.
And Wednesday lead-out “Truth” has become one of the most successful post-“Idol” shows yet, leading Fox to order additional episodes last week. “Truth” is the season’s No. 3 show in 18-49s, behind the Tuesday and Wednesday “Idols,” averaging a 7.8 last week.
Even Fox’s Thursday lineup is doing better for the network. The combination of “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” and “Don’t Forget the Lyrics” averaged a 3.2 rating, up 78 percent over the same night last year.
Meanwhile, in broadcast ratings for the week ended Feb. 3:
Among adults 18-49, Fox was first with a 12.9 rating and a 32 share, followed by ABC at 2.3/6, NBC at 2.1/5, CBS at 1.7/4, Univision at 1.5/4, CW at 0.8/2, Telemundo and MyNetworkTV at 0.5/1, TeleFutura at 0.3/1, and Ion and Azteca at 0.1/0.
Among adults 18-34, Fox led with an 11.7 rating and a 32 share, followed by ABC at 1.8/5, Univision and NBC at 1.7/5, CBS at 1.0/3, CW at 0.9/2, Telemundo and MyNetworkTV at 0.5/1, Telefutura at 0.3/1 and Ion and Azteca at 0.1/0.
Among adults 25-54, Fox was first with a 13.5 rating and a 31 share, followed by ABC at 2.7/6, NBC at 2.5/6, CBS at 2.3/5, Univision at 1.4/3, CW at 0.8/2, MyNetworkTV at 0.6/1, Telemundo at 0.5/1, TeleFutura at 0.3/1, Ion at 0.2/0 and Azteca at 0.1/0.
Top five English-language Big Five shows (18-49s): 1. Fox’s “Super Bowl XLII” 37.5; 2. Fox’s “Super Bowl Postgame” 26.6; 3. Fox’s “House 2/3” 12.9; 4. Fox’s “American Idol - Tuesday” 11.0; 5. Fox’s “American Idol - Wednesday” 10.1.
Top five English-language Big Five shows (total viewers): 1. Fox’s “Super Bowl XLII” 97.45 million; 2. Fox’s “Super Bowl Postgame” 63.93 million; 3. Fox’s “House 2/3” 29.05 million; 4. Fox’s “American Idol - Tuesday” 28.22 million; 5. Fox’s “American Idol - Wednesday” 25.57 million.
Top five Live+7 English-language Big Five shows (Households, week ended Jan. 20): 1. Fox’s “NFC Championship” 29.0; 2. Fox’s “NFC Championship - Gun” 21.6; 3. Fox’s “American Idol - Tuesday” 18.2; 4. Fox’s “American Idol - Wednesday” 17.4; 5. Fox’s “NFC Championship Postgame” 13.1.
Top five Live+7 English-language Big Five shows (18-49s, week ended Jan. 20): 1. Fox’s “NFC Championship” 20.6; 2. Fox’s “NFC Championship - Gun” 16.7; 3. Fox’s “American Idol - Tuesday” 14.4; 4. Fox’s “American Idol - Wednesday” 13.4; 5. Fox’s “NFC Championship Postgame” 9.4.
Show on the rise: “Super Bowl XLII,” Fox, Sunday around 6:30 p.m. It’s already been well-documented, but it bears repeating: Fox’s coverage of the Super Bowl averaged 97.5 million viewers, the second-most-watched program in U.S. TV history behind the “M*A*S*H” series finale.
Show on the decline: “According to Jim” ABC, Tuesday 9 p.m. ABC’s lackluster comedy stumbled 17 percent week-to-week among 18-49s, from a 2.3 rating to a 1.9.
|
PRIMETIME AVERAGES BY NETWORK
Ranked on Households
Week Ending February 3 |
|
Network
|
Households
|
People 2+
|
Adults 18-49
|
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
|
FOX
|
16.4
|
18470
|
26
|
11.7
|
33550
|
27
|
12.9
|
16920
|
32
|
|
CBS
|
4.7
|
5250
|
7
|
2.4
|
6910
|
6
|
1.7
|
2180
|
4
|
|
ABC
|
4.2
|
4780
|
7
|
2.3
|
6650
|
6
|
2.3
|
2960
|
6
|
|
NBC
|
4.2
|
4740
|
7
|
2.3
|
6440
|
6
|
2.1
|
2800
|
5
|
|
UNI
|
1.7
|
1930
|
3
|
1.2
|
3420
|
3
|
1.5
|
1980
|
4
|
|
CW
|
1.4
|
1570
|
2
|
0.8
|
2150
|
2
|
0.8
|
1050
|
2
|
|
MNT
|
0.9
|
970
|
1
|
0.5
|
1330
|
1
|
0.5
|
670
|
1
|
|
TEL
|
0.6
|
720
|
1
|
0.4
|
1170
|
1
|
0.5
|
640
|
1
|
|
ION
|
0.4
|
440
|
1
|
0.2
|
570
|
0
|
0.1
|
170
|
0
|
|
TF
|
0.3
|
390
|
1
|
0.2
|
650
|
1
|
0.3
|
430
|
1
|
|
AZA
|
0.1
|
110
|
0
|
0.1
|
180
|
0
|
0.1
|
120
|
0
|
|
*
Each rating point is equivalent to
1. 114
million homes
Source: Nielsen Media Research
|
|
SEASON-TO-DATE PRIMETIME AVERAGES BY NETWORK
Ranked on Households
Week Ending February 3 |
|
Network
|
Households
|
People 2+
|
Adults 18-49
|
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
|
CBS
|
7.1
|
8020
|
12
|
3.9
|
11180
|
10
|
3.1
|
4130
|
8
|
|
FOX
|
6.5
|
7310
|
10
|
3.8
|
11000
|
10
|
4.1
|
5430
|
11
|
|
ABC
|
6.2
|
7030
|
10
|
3.4
|
9610
|
9
|
3.2
|
4160
|
8
|
|
NBC
|
5.5
|
6210
|
9
|
3.0
|
8710
|
8
|
3.2
|
4170
|
8
|
|
UNI
|
1.8
|
2030
|
3
|
1.2
|
3490
|
3
|
1.5
|
1960
|
4
|
|
CW
|
1.7
|
1920
|
3
|
0.9
|
2650
|
2
|
1.1
|
1390
|
3
|
|
MNT
|
0.7
|
830
|
1
|
0.4
|
1090
|
1
|
0.4
|
540
|
1
|
|
TEL
|
0.6
|
640
|
1
|
0.4
|
1040
|
1
|
0.4
|
570
|
1
|
|
ION
|
0.4
|
430
|
1
|
0.2
|
560
|
0
|
0.1
|
170
|
0
|
|
TF
|
0.4
|
400
|
1
|
0.2
|
670
|
1
|
0.3
|
430
|
1
|
|
AZA
|
0.1
|
90
|
0
|
0.1
|
150
|
0
|
0.1
|
100
|
0
|
|
*
Each rating point is equivalent to
1. 114
million homes
Source: Nielsen Media Research
|
|
TOP 25 PROGRAMS – BROADCAST
Ranked on Households
Week Ending February 3 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
HOUSEHOLDS |
PERSONS 2+ |
|
Rtg% |
Shr |
(000) |
# |
Rtg% |
(000) |
|
1
|
FOX SUPER BOWL XLII(S)
|
FOX
|
43.1
|
65
|
48655
|
1
|
34.0
|
97448
|
|
2
|
FOX SUPER BOWL POST GAME(S)
|
FOX
|
30.1
|
47
|
33945
|
2
|
22.3
|
63934
|
|
3
|
AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAY
|
FOX
|
15.7
|
24
|
17702
|
4
|
9.9
|
28223
|
|
3
|
HOUSE SP-2/3(S)
|
FOX
|
15.7
|
27
|
17719
|
3
|
10.1
|
29045
|
|
5
|
AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAY
|
FOX
|
14.4
|
22
|
16221
|
5
|
8.9
|
25573
|
|
6
|
HOUSE
|
FOX
|
12.9
|
19
|
14597
|
6
|
7.9
|
22561
|
|
7
|
MOMENT OF TRUTH
|
FOX
|
10.2
|
15
|
11561
|
7
|
6.2
|
17641
|
|
8
|
LOST
|
ABC
|
9.4
|
14
|
10582
|
8
|
5.6
|
16137
|
|
9
|
LOST-THU 8PM
|
ABC
|
8.0
|
12
|
8970
|
9
|
4.6
|
13158
|
|
10
|
NCIS
|
CBS
|
7.7
|
12
|
8707
|
10
|
4.1
|
11769
|
|
11
|
CSI
|
CBS
|
7.6
|
11
|
8553
|
10
|
4.1
|
11687
|
|
11
|
LAW AND ORDER
|
NBC
|
7.6
|
13
|
8568
|
12
|
3.9
|
11101
|
|
13
|
ELI STONE
|
ABC
|
7.1
|
12
|
8010
|
12
|
3.9
|
11145
|
|
14
|
WITHOUT A TRACE
|
CBS
|
6.9
|
11
|
7804
|
15
|
3.6
|
10185
|
|
15
|
SMARTER THAN 5TH GRADER
|
FOX
|
6.4
|
10
|
7190
|
14
|
3.7
|
10555
|
|
16
|
DANCE WAR:BRUNO/CARRIEANN
|
ABC
|
6.3
|
10
|
7069
|
19
|
3.3
|
9451
|
|
16
|
DEAL OR NO DEAL-WED
|
NBC
|
6.3
|
10
|
7072
|
17
|
3.4
|
9679
|
|
18
|
LAW AND ORDER:SVU
|
NBC
|
6.2
|
11
|
7044
|
20
|
3.2
|
9291
|
|
18
|
TWO AND A HALF MEN 830-SP(S)
|
CBS
|
6.2
|
9
|
7039
|
17
|
3.4
|
9601
|
|
20
|
DON'T FORGET THE LYRICS
|
FOX
|
6.0
|
9
|
6713
|
16
|
3.5
|
10070
|
|
21
|
LAW AND ORDER:CRIM INTENT
|
NBC
|
5.9
|
9
|
6705
|
21
|
3.1
|
8892
|
|
22
|
CRIMINAL MINDS
|
CBS
|
5.8
|
9
|
6567
|
21
|
3.1
|
8744
|
|
23
|
CSI: NY THURSDAY SPCL(S)
|
CBS
|
5.7
|
9
|
6472
|
23
|
3.0
|
8673
|
|
24
|
48 HOURS MYSTERY TUESDAY
|
CBS
|
5.6
|
9
|
6281
|
28
|
2.7
|
7860
|
|
25
|
LOST SP-1/30(S)
|
ABC
|
5.4
|
9
|
6142
|
23
|
3.0
|
8475
|
|
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 25 PROGRAMS – BROADCAST
Adults 18-49
Week Ending February 3 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
(000) |
|
1
|
FOX SUPER BOWL XLII(S)
|
FOX
|
37.5
|
49188
|
|
2
|
FOX SUPER BOWL POST GAME(S)
|
FOX
|
26.6
|
34913
|
|
3
|
HOUSE SP-2/3(S)
|
FOX
|
12.9
|
16871
|
|
4
|
AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAY
|
FOX
|
11.0
|
14466
|
|
5
|
AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAY
|
FOX
|
10.1
|
13190
|
|
6
|
HOUSE
|
FOX
|
8.7
|
11427
|
|
7
|
MOMENT OF TRUTH
|
FOX
|
7.8
|
10203
|
|
8
|
LOST
|
ABC
|
6.7
|
8834
|
|
9
|
LOST-THU 8PM
|
ABC
|
5.0
|
6542
|
|
10
|
ELI STONE
|
ABC
|
4.0
|
5273
|
|
11
|
AMERICAN GLADIATORS
|
NBC
|
3.7
|
4861
|
|
12
|
TWO AND A HALF MEN 830-SP(S)
|
CBS
|
3.4
|
4483
|
|
13
|
BIGGEST LOSER 5
|
NBC
|
3.3
|
4383
|
|
13
|
DON'T FORGET THE LYRICS
|
FOX
|
3.3
|
4304
|
|
13
|
LOST SP-1/30(S)
|
ABC
|
3.3
|
4324
|
|
16
|
APPRENTICE 7
|
NBC
|
3.2
|
4188
|
|
17
|
LAW AND ORDER
|
NBC
|
3.1
|
4117
|
|
17
|
SMARTER THAN 5TH GRADER
|
FOX
|
3.1
|
4059
|
|
19
|
LAW AND ORDER:SVU
|
NBC
|
2.9
|
3780
|
|
20
|
CSI
|
CBS
|
2.7
|
3575
|
|
20
|
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
|
CBS
|
2.7
|
3488
|
|
22
|
DANCE WAR:BRUNO/CARRIEANN
|
ABC
|
2.5
|
3302
|
|
23
|
48 HOURS MYSTERY TUESDAY
|
CBS
|
2.4
|
3145
|
|
23
|
COPS 2
|
FOX
|
2.4
|
3113
|
|
23
|
HOUSE-FRI 9P
|
FOX
|
2.4
|
3207
|
|
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
SPANISH-LANGUAGE TELEVISION (WEEKLY COLLAPSED)
Ranked on Households
Week Ending February 3 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
NHTI |
P2+ (000) |
|
1
|
AL
DIABLO CON GUAPOS M-F
|
UNI
|
20.9
|
4808
|
|
2
|
PASION M-F
|
UNI
|
18.5
|
3938
|
|
3
|
DON FRANCISCO PRESENTA WE
|
UNI
|
17.6
|
3397
|
|
4
|
FAMILIA P. LUCHE FRI
|
UNI
|
16.2
|
3584
|
|
5
|
YO AMO JUAN QUERENDON M-F
|
UNI
|
15.8
|
3397
|
|
6
|
AQUI Y AHORA TUE
|
UNI
|
15.7
|
3309
|
|
7
|
RETRO P. LUCHE FRI
|
UNI
|
15.6
|
3453
|
|
8
|
CRISTINA MON
|
UNI
|
15.5
|
2989
|
|
9
|
AMAS CASA DESESPERADS THU
|
UNI
|
15.1
|
2949
|
|
10
|
SABADO GIGANTE SAT
|
UNI
|
14.3
|
2889
|
|
11
|
5 MAGNIFICOS SUN
|
UNI
|
13.8
|
3130
|
|
12
|
CHAVO ANIMADA SUN
|
UNI
|
13.0
|
3166
|
|
13
|
HORA PICO SUN
|
UNI
|
12.7
|
2654
|
|
14
|
VICTORIA M-F
|
TEL
|
8.9
|
1742
|
|
15
|
FAMILIA DE DIEZ SAT
|
UNI
|
8.5
|
1667
|
|
16
|
AHORA QUE HAGO SAT
|
UNI
|
8.2
|
1570
|
|
17
|
MADRE LUNA M-F
|
TEL
|
6.9
|
1269
|
|
18
|
12 CORAZONES M-F
|
TEL
|
5.2
|
1072
|
|
19
|
PECADOS AJENOS M-F
|
TEL
|
4.9
|
889
|
|
20
|
CINE MILLONARIO
|
TEL
|
4.7
|
1040
|
|
21
|
VIDEOS ASOMBROSOS MDO SUN
|
TF
|
4.3
|
988
|
|
22
|
CINE NUESTRO 1/27(S)-01/27/2008
|
TEL
|
3.9
|
857
|
|
23
|
CINE DE IMPACTO
|
TEL
|
3.5
|
898
|
|
23
|
CINE DE LAS ESTRELLAS M-THU
|
TF
|
3.5
|
759
|
|
25
|
CINE NUESTRO
|
TEL
|
3.4
|
664
|
|
* Nielsen Hispanic Television Index; ratings based on 11.63 million Hispanic TV homes.
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
HISPANIC ENGLISH-LANGUAGE VIEWING
Ranked on Households
Week Ending February 3 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
NHTI |
P2+(000) |
|
1
|
MOMENT OF TRUTH
|
FOX
|
8.4
|
1796
|
|
2
|
AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAY
|
FOX
|
8.1
|
1693
|
|
3
|
AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAY
|
FOX
|
7.8
|
1635
|
|
4
|
FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN
|
CW
|
4.7
|
973
|
|
5
|
AMW:
AMERICA FIGHTS BACK
|
FOX
|
4.4
|
716
|
|
5
|
COPS 2
|
FOX
|
4.4
|
688
|
|
7
|
DEAL OR NO DEAL-MON
|
NBC
|
4.1
|
782
|
|
8
|
EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED.
|
ABC
|
3.9
|
786
|
|
8
|
FAMILY GUY
|
FOX
|
3.9
|
716
|
|
8
|
CSI
|
CBS
|
3.9
|
621
|
|
* Nielsen Hispanic Television Index; ratings based on 11.63 million Hispanic TV homes.
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
AFRICAN AMERICAN AUDIENCE ESTIMATES
Ranked on Households
Week Ending January 27 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
Rtg |
P2+(000) |
|
1
|
AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAY
|
FOX
|
19.8
|
4161
|
|
2
|
AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAY
|
FOX
|
19.5
|
4196
|
|
3
|
MOMENT OF TRUTH
|
FOX
|
16.8
|
3574
|
|
4
|
HOUSE
|
FOX
|
9.9
|
2006
|
|
5
|
WITHOUT A TRACE
|
CBS
|
9.0
|
1608
|
|
6
|
CSI
|
CBS
|
8.1
|
1375
|
|
7
|
LAW AND ORDER:SVU
|
NBC
|
8.0
|
1588
|
|
8
|
TERMINATOR: SRH CNR CHRON
|
FOX
|
7.7
|
1426
|
|
8
|
LAW AND ORDER
|
NBC
|
7.7
|
1340
|
|
10
|
UGLY BETTY
|
ABC
|
7.5
|
1341
|
|
* Ratings based on 13.45 million African American TV homes.
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 30 NETWORK SPORTS PROGRAMS
Ranked on Households
Week Ending January 27 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
Episode |
Households |
Persons 2+ |
|
US
Rtg% |
Shr |
(000) |
(000) |
|
1 |
BUICK INV PGA GOLF-SUN(S)-01/27/2008
|
CBS
|
|
4.2
|
9
|
4755
|
6193
|
|
2 |
US FIG SKTG CHMP-SAT PRIM(S)-01/26/2008
|
NBC
|
WOMEN'S SKATING
|
3.3
|
6
|
3716
|
5184
|
|
3 |
US
FIG SKTG CHMP-SUN PRIM(S)-01/27/2008
|
NBC
|
MEN'S SKATING
|
3.1
|
5
|
3544
|
4788
|
|
4 |
NBA ON ABC-SUN 2
|
ABC
|
CLEVELAND
AT LA LAKERS
|
2.8
|
6
|
3146
|
4051
|
|
5 |
BUICK INV PGA GOLF-SAT(S)-01/26/2008
|
CBS
|
|
