• by Paul Gough , October 22, 2002

Two versions of the franchise hit CSI helped push CBS to another victory in this week’s Nielsens, slightly ahead of NBC and well ahead of FOX and ABC. ABC didn’t even appear in this week’s Top 18, while FOX made the Top 10 with a thrilling Game 2 of the World Series.

CBS owned four of the top 10 network ratings winners -- #1 CSI plus Everybody Loves Raymond, Survivor: Thailand and CSI: Miami – to earn an 14 share/8.9 household rating. NBC earned a 13 share and an 8.2 household rating with five of the top 10 shows: E.R., Friends, Law & Order, Will & Grace and Scrubs. FOX received an 11 share and 6.9 household rating on the strength of its coverage of the first two World Series games. ABC, whose only top 25 shows were Monday Night Football and The Practice, received a 6.1 household rating and a 10 share.

No shows from the other three broadcast networks hit the top 25. The WB registered a 3.1 household rating and a 5 share. UPN earned a 2.6 household rating and a 4 share. PAX received a 0.9 household rating and a 1 share.