With The Bachelorette having concluded its summer run, ABC was left floundering in the ratings last week -- posting last-place averages among viewers overall and also among adults 18-49. Among the former group, ABC posted a 2.2 average rating; among the latter, a 1.1 rating. Today's (Wednesday) New York Times observed that only once had a broadcast network fared so poorly -- and that was a year ago when ABC posted identical ratings. However, the newspaper noted, "that was against the huge attraction of the Summer Olympics on NBC." NBC last week once again landed atop the Nielsen list of most-watched shows with the latest editions of America's Got Talent . Tuesday night's telecast attracted 12.96 million viewers, while Wednesday's drew 10.67 million. Nevertheless, CBS continued to show overall strength, despite the fact that it offered mostly reruns. It averaged a 4.1 rating and a 7 share. NBC followed with a 3.8/7, followed by Fox with a 3.2/6. ABC was literally out of sight with a 2.2/4.

The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research 1 . America's Got Talent (Tuesday), NBC, 7.8/13; 2. NCIS, CBS, 6.5/12; 3. America's Got Talent (Wednesday, 9 00 p.m.), NBC, 6.3/11; 4. 60 Minutes, CBS, 6.1/12; 4. Two and a Half Men , CBS, 6.1/10; 6. So You Think Can Dance (Thursday), Fox, 5.7/10; 7. CSI NY, CBS, 5.6/10; 8. The Big Bang Theory , CBS, 5.4/9; 9. CSI Miami , CBS, 5.3/9; 9. The Mentalist , CBS, 5.3/10.

12/08/2009