• by August 22, 2001

(AP) - Blacks and whites have many more favorite television shows in common than they did five years ago, perhaps because of a greater effort to have multi-ethnic casts.

A study of viewing habits by ethnic groups also found that the most popular English-language TV program among Hispanic viewers last season was "Temptation Island."

Nine programs that were among Nielsen Media Research's 20 most popular for the season for white audiences were also in the top 20 for blacks, said the study by Initiative Media, an advertising agency. They were "Survivor," "ER," "Law & Order," "Monday Night Football," "The Practice," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "Temptation Island" and two editions of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."

Five years ago, only "Monday Night Football" was in the top 20 for blacks and whites, said Stacey Lynn Koerner, Initiative's director of broadcast research.

"I think it's because there are more ensemble-driven programs on the air than there were a few years ago," Koerner said.

There were 21 shows with multi-ethnic casts on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, UPN and the WB in 1998. For the season just concluded, it was 31, she said.

Two years ago the NAACP started pressuring networks to increase the number of minorities in front of and behind cameras. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said earlier this month it was unhappy with the progress being made.

"Monday Night Football" was the past year's most popular program among black audiences, followed by five comedies with predominantly black casts: ABC's "My Wife & Kids," and UPN's "The Parkers," "The Hughleys," "Girlfriends" and "Moesha."

"Survivor," top rated among white audiences, was No. 17 for blacks, the study said.

The 20 most popular prime-time programs among Hispanic audiences were all on the Spanish-language network Univision, topped by "Laerintos de Pasion." The reality show "Temptation Island" was a huge hit, more than three ratings points more popular than any other English show among Hispanics.

"I couldn't tell you why that show is successful, period, not just among Hispanic viewers," Koerner said.

Twelve of the 20 most popular English shows among Hispanic viewers were on Fox. Koerner said that's because Hispanic homes have more younger viewers than other ethnic groups, and Fox is a young-skewing network.

CBS was the most popular network among black households this year (it was a narrow second among whites), Initiative said. Blacks are spreading their viewing among more networks than in the recent past - even to NBC, which used to have higher ratings among whites even though blacks in general watch more TV.