• by Paul Gough , December 17, 2002

Helped by six Top 10 shows, NBC edged CBS in the latest ratings week ended Sunday, according to Nielsen Media Research.

NBC received a 7.9 rating and a 13 share, just ahead of CBS’ 7.8 rating and 13 share. ABC followed with a 6 rating and a 10 share, while Fox had a 5.1 rating and a 8 share. The WB had a 2.3 rating and a 4 share, UPN had a 2.1 rating and a 3 share, and Pax had a 0.9 rating and a 1 share.

Among adults 18-49, NBC won the week as well. It has won 11 of 12 weeks this season in the demographic and 32 of the last 38 weeks. NBC also won among adults 18-34, adults 25-54, adult-female demographics, men 18-49 and men 25-54.

The rankings for adults 18-49 are NBC, 4.7 rating and 13 share; CBS, 3.7 rating and 10 share; Fox 3.7 rating and 10 share; ABC 3.5 rating and 10 share; The WB, 1.5 rating and 4 share; and UPN, 1.3 rating and 4 share.

While CBS continued to have the top-rated show – CSI – NBC followed with the next four: ER, Friends and Law & Order. Everybody Loves Raymond rounded out the top five. Survivor: Thailand, which is nearing its finale in a few days, placed sixth and three shows – NFL Monday Night Football, Scrubs and Will & Grace – tied for seventh place. The West Wing was in 10th place.

While CBS and NBC dominated the top 25, ABC had four more shows (According To Jim, 8 Simple Rules, NYPD Blue and an Extreme Makeover special) and The Simpsons was #25 for Fox.

The top 10 network prime households shows for the week ended Sunday were:

1. CSI (CBS), 16.1 rating and 25 share.
2. ER (NBC), 14.7 rating and 24 share.
3. Friends (NBC), 14.5 rating and 23 share.
4. Law & Order (NBC), 13 rating and 22 share.
5. Everybody Loves Raymond (CBS), 12.2 rating and 18 share.
6. Survivor: Thailand (CBS), 11.1 rating and 18 share.
7. NFL Monday Night Football (ABC), 10.7 rating and 18 share.
8. Scrubs (NBC), 10.7 rating and 17 share.
9. Will & Grace (NBC), 10.7 rating and 17 share.
10. The West Wing (NBC), 10.2 rating and 15 share.