• by Wayne Friedman , November 23, 2011

Through nine weeks of the new season -- and heading into the holiday season lull of repeats and specials -- Fox is still the leading network among key 18-49 viewers.

The network, which has boosted its fall fortunes with new shows “New Girl” and “The X Factor," is averaging a Nielsen 3.0 rating among 18-49 viewers (3.89 million),  from Sept. 19 through Nov. 20.

CBS is next, at a 2.8 rating (3.63 million). CBS credits more dominating performances from its Monday night lineup, including a revived “Two and a Half Men” (a 6.3 average rating, so far) and a new entry “2 Broke Girls," with a 4.8 rating, the best among new shows, as well as other areas.

ABC sits in third place, with a 2.5 rating (3.14 million) among 18-49 viewers. Many of its older shows have seen a decline in viewers, including its once top-rated “Dancing with the Stars." “Modern Family” remains strong among the top prime-time shows, with a 5.7 rating so far. One surprise program -- new fantasy series “Once Upon a Time" -- after four episodes is at a big 3.9 rating, the second-best-rated show on the network. 

NBC is next at a 2.4 rating (3.11 million). Its “Sunday Night Football” continues to the top-ranked prime-time show, with a massive 7.9 rating. But the rest of its schedule continues to suffer. “The Office” is its next-best effort at a 3.0 rating -- down in viewers from a year ago. NBC has top-rated “The Voice” returning in mid-season, and highly touted musical-based drama “Smash” starting up.

CW sits at a 0.7 rating among 18-49 (934,000 viewers). In an effort to slowly build the network, it has renewed almost all its new shows -- including “Secret Circle, “Ringer,” and “Hart of Dixie."

All the network’s median ages are generally getting older. 

Among the big four networks, Fox remains the youngest -- generally a favorable metric for most national TV advertisers, at 47 years old. NBC is next at 48.8, followed by ABC at 53.6 and CBS at 55.6. Although still struggling in terms of overall numbers of viewers in particular demographics, CW still tallies a median age of 37.4.