• by Ken Liebeskind , July 5, 2002

CBS remained in front during a week when the four major networks were closer than usual in prime average. Usually, CBS and NBC are far ahead of the other networks, but last week the averages were much closer. CBS led with an 11 share/5.9 household rating, followed by NBC (9/4.8), ABC (8/4.2) and Fox (7/3.5).

The numbers were reflected by the top shows, with ABC having two of the top ten for the first time since Millionaire reigned--20/20 Friday, ranked fourth and Primetime Thursday, ninth. Both episodes of Fox's American Idol made the top 25.

CBS led the way with CSI, 60 Minutes and Everybody Loves Raymond. CSI had a 16 share and 5.7 household rating. NBC's highest ranked show last week was Dog Eat Dog. The new game show and Law and Order were the only NBC shows to make the top 10.

Cable winners for the most recent week were World Cup Soccer (ESPN), WWE Entertainment (TNN), US Marshalls (TBS) and Spongebob (NICK) with soccer scoring a 3.6 household with 3.7 million households viewing.

Sports winners for the most recent week were Fox Nascar Winston Cup, Greater Hartford Open (ABC), WWF Smackdown (UPN) and NCAA College World Series (CBS). The Winston Cup scored a 12 share/4.5 household rating with 4.7 million households tuned in.