• by David Kaplan , November 17, 2004

Slow and steady might not be the motto of contestants on CBS' "The Amazing Race," but that seems to be the right description for how the series is launching its comeback, as the show's Tuesday premiere experienced its highest-rated opening broadcast since the show first aired three years ago, according to final national Nielsen ratings provided by the network.

In "The Amazing Race," 11 two-person teams race around the world in pursuit of a million-dollar prize. CBS, which had considered canceling the series at various points in its existence, gambled that having the show get its latest kick-off during the all-important Sweep Week would put it ahead in the race for advertiser's dollars.

The premiere of "The Amazing Race 6", which aired from 9 to 11, posted a 7.4/11 in households, 11.8 million viewers, 4.3/11 in adults ages 18 to 34, 5.0/12 in adults ages 18 to 49, and 5.5/12 in adults ages 25 to 54. The program was first aired from 9 to 10 p.m. in viewers, adults 25 to 54 (5.3/12) and adults 18 to 49 (4.7/11, tied with NBC). The show improved CBS' time period performance with regularly scheduled programming in the 9 to 10 p.m. hour by 104 percent in adults 18 to 49, 135 percent in adults 18 to 34, 83 percent in adults 25 to 54, and by 36 percent in viewers.