• by Paul Gough , February 19, 2003

Despite a strong performance for the series finale of Joe Millionaire on Fox, CSI was once again the week’s top-rated show and CBS beat all comers for the highest ratings in total household and share.

According to data released Wednesday by Nielsen Media Research, CBS’ 1,320 hours of programming for the week ended Sunday earned an 8.9 rating and a 14 share. CBS was almost a rating point ahead of second-place NBC, which earned an 8 rating/13 share. Fox (7/11) edged out ABC (6.2/10) for third place.

In the 21st week of the 2002-03 TV season, CBS is leading by more than half a ratings point (8.4/14) compared to NBC (7.8/13), ABC (6.7/11) and Fox (5.9/10).

Among adults 18-49, Joe Millionaire boosted Fox’s ratings. Fox’s 5.6/14 brought it ahead of perennial demographic winner NBC, whose 4.8/13 put it ahead of CBS (4/10) and ABC (3.7/10). Season-to-date NBC remains on top (4.6/12) ahead of ABC (4.1/11), CBS (4/11) and Fox (4/11).

CBS had 10 top 25 shows, NBC nine, Fox six and ABC one, The Bachelorette, which was 12th for the week. The Tuesday and Wednesday editions of American Idol were in the top 15.

The top 10 programs in primetime households and persons for the week of Feb. 10-16 by Nielsen Media Research are:

1. CSI (CBS), 16,7/25.
2. Joe Millionaire (Fox), 14.2/20.
3. ER (NBC), 13.8/21.
4. Friends (NBC), 13.5/21.
5. Survivor: Amazon (CBS), 13.3/20.
6. Friends Special (NBC), 12.4/19.
7. Law and Order (NBC), 12.3/20.
8. Will & Grace (NBC), 12.1/18.
9. CSI: Miami (CBS), 11.5/18.
10. American Idol Tuesday (Fox), 11.4/17.

A single national household ratings point represents 1% or 1.06 million households. Nielsen Media Research estimates there are 106.7 million television households in the United States.