• by Paul Gough , December 10, 2002

CBS had the highest-rated show on network TV, but NBC carried the week in total households and viewers with another 18-49 win and six of the top 10 programs.

NBC scored a 7.9 rating and a 13 total household share for the week ending Sunday. CBS remains ahead in total households for the current season, although by a lesser margin. For week, CBS had a 7.4 rating and a 12 share and an 8.5 rating and a 14 share for the season compared to NBC’s 8.3 rating and 13 share.

ABC came in third for the week, with a 6.3 rating and a 10 share. Its season average is a 6.5 rating and an 11 share. Fox had a 4.7 weekly rating and a 7 share, along with a 5.9 rating and a 10 share season-to-date.

Nielsen Media Research crowned CSI as the top-rated show in total households,. NBC followed with Friends and ER. A special edition of Primetime at 9 pm. Wednesday and the Monday Night Football Matchup between the Oakland Raiders and the New York Jets (12.2 rating and 21 share) were ABC’s only entries in the top 10. Fox had only one top-rated show, a Simpsons repeat at 25.

NBC also won the week in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and 25-54, women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, and men 18-49 and 25-54. NBC credited a special Christmas in Rockefeller Center and new Friends and ER among others for its success.

The WB came in the week with a 2.3 rating and a 4 share, UPN had a 2.1 rating and a 3 share, and Pax had a 1.0 rating and a 2 share.

The top 10 programs for the week Dec. 2-9:

1. CSI, 18 rating and 27 share (CBS).
2. Friends, 15.8 rating and 24 share (NBC).
3. ER, 15.2 rating and 25 share (NBC).
4. Primetime Special Edition, 13.7 rating and 21 share (ABC).
5. NFL Monday Night Football, 12.2 rating and 21 share (ABC).
6. Scrubs, 12.2 rating and 18 share (NBC).
7. Will & Grace, 12.2 rating and 18 share (NBC).
8. Survivor: Thailand, 12 rating and 18 share (CBS).
9. Law and Order, 11.2 rating and 18 share (NBC).
10. Law and Order: SVU, 11.1 rating and 19 share (NBC).