• by Ken Liebeskind , September 11, 2002

The last two episodes of American Idol, which attracted nearly 25 million viewers, catapulted Fox into first place in this week's Nielsens. Not only were they the top two shows, but Fox placed first among all networks in prime average for the week. In every other recent week, CBS and NBC battled it out for first, but this week Fox led the way with an 11 share/6.9 household, followed by CBS (11/6.2), NBC (9/5.2) and ABC (8/4.4).

Last Wednesday's final episode averaged 22.8 million viewers and had 28 million for the last half hour when the winner was named. They were Fox's best ever numbers for the time period. The episode earned a 21 share/12.6 household rating.

Now Fox looks ahead to an Idol special Sept. 23 and a second season scheduled to start in February. Meanwhile, CBS and USA Network plan Idol spin offs, with CBS remaking the past hit Star Search.

The week's other top shows were three episodes of CSI (CBS) that took three of the top six spots, totaling 29 million viewers, which was more than Idol. CBS also scored with Everybody Loves Raymond, ranked fifth, and a Becker special, ranked eighth. Law and Order was NBC's only show in the top 10 this week. Fox's NFL Sunday Bonus rounded out the top 10.

MTV led the way among cable networks for the most recent week with the 2002 Video Music Awards, which won the first and third spot, with a top score of 6.6 household and 7 million viewers. The Mountain Dew South 500 (TNT) and WWE Entertainment (TNN) rounded out the top five.

Syndication leaders for the most recent week were Wheel of Fortune, Friends, Jeopardy, Seinfeld and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Wheel scored a 7.4 household with 7.8 million viewers.

The new football season is dominating the sports scene and ABC leads the way with NFL preseason and three college football games taking the top four spots for the most recent week, with the NFL earning a 13 share/7.8 household with 8.2 million viewers.

In other TV news, ABC will promote its new fall lineup in McDonald's restaurants, where tray liners and bags will be emblazoned with promos and signs will appear. A sweepstakes will run in the restaurants from Sept. 23 to Oct. 7. ABC will run ads promoting the sweeps, which will mention McDonalds and McDonalds will buy ads during ABC's happy hour of comedy shows.