• by Wayne Friedman , December 10, 2009

Three broadcast networks landed in a virtual three-way tie on Wednesday night -- with NBC's returning to lower levels following Tuesday night's "Biggest Loser" finale.

CBS claimed a Nielsen preliminary 3.1 rating/8 share among 18-49 viewers; Fox and ABC were at a 3.0/8.

Fox's "Glee" finale got strong results -- a 3.6/9 among 18-49 viewers, which matched last week's numbers, the highest for the series so far. Earlier in the evening, "So You Think You Can Dance" took in a modest 2.3/7.

ABC's "Modern Family" continued its streak of strong returns, reaching a 3.8/10 -- tying "Minds" for the best-rated show of the night. ABC did not perform as well the rest of the way: "Cougar Town" was down some to a 2.8/7 at 9:30 p.m., and "Barbara Walters Special" weighed in at 3.1/9.

CBS' comedies did predictable work early in the evening with "New Adventures of Old Christine" and "Gary Unmarried" earning a 2.2/7 and a 2.4/7, respectively.

But it was "Criminal Minds" and "CSI: NY" carrying the heavy load -- posting a 3.8/10 and 3.2/9, both winning their respective 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. time periods. "Minds" and "CSI" were higher than the seasonal averages.

While the Walters special was just a rating tick down from "CSI:NY," the special is down some 26% versus its numbers of a year ago.

NBC got a big lift from "Biggest Loser" the night before, with the show averaging a massive 5.0 rating/13 share, which then gave "The Jay Leno Show" at 10 p.m. one of his best results since his premiere week. "Leno" climbed to a 2.9/8 on Tuesday night, almost double his season average.

But on Wednesday, NBC and "Leno" went back to normal, with its best performer "Law & Order: SVU" reaching a 2.3/6. "Leno" sank back to a 1.3/4, about a half a rating point under his average.

For the night, NBC averaged a 1.8/5, good for fourth place. Univision scored a 1.5/4,and CW, with repeats of "Gossip Girl" and a "Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, registered at a 0.5/1.