Split Decision: NBC, CBS Win Week

  • by December 13, 2000
broadcastingcable.com - NBC and CBS split the top honors for the tenth week of the TV season, NBC winning the week in adults 18-49 and CBS grabbing the total viewers title. NBC averaged a 4.7 rating in adults 18-49, while CBS had an average primetime audience of 12.3 million viewers during the week of Dec. 4-10, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Fox managed to pull into second place in adults 18-49 with a 4.4 rating, followed by ABC with a 4.1 and CBS at a 3.6. In total viewers, ABC was second with 12.1 million viewers, followed by NBC with 11.7 million and Fox at 9.5 million. NBC's E.R. was the most watched show for the week, averaging 28 million viewers and it was the highest rated show in adults 18-49 (14.7).

Fox's jump to second place in the adults 18-49 race stemmed from the network's strong performance from The 2000 Billboard Music Awards (5.4 rating), the highest rated special at Fox in key demos in over 10 months. The WB and UPN continue to perform strongly in the weekly ratings. The WB topped UPN in adults 18-49 (1.6 rating vs. 1.5 rating), while UPN topped The WB in total viewers (3.9 million vs. 3.5 million).

Fox barely edged CBS in a Monday night primetime melee for adults 18-49. Fox's Ally McBeal led the way with a 7.3 rating, 16 share among 18-49ers, as Boston Public preceded it with a 5.6/13. CBS's Everybody Loves Raymond drew 21.2 million viewers with a 8/18, while Becker brought in 18 million viewers with a 6.4/14.

That enabled CBS to take the night in total viewers with a 17 million average. ABC finished second in total viewers with 14.6 million, over Fox's 13 million viewer average. Monday Night Football pulled 16.3 million fans during primetime for the Indianapolis Colts' 44-20 romp over the Buffalo Bills.

Next story loading loading..