• by Paul Gough , March 5, 2003

In the first ratings available after the February sweeps, CBS prevailed in total households and Fox pushed ahead of NBC in adults 18-49.

According to data released Tuesday by Nielsen Media Research, CBS earned an 8.9 rating/14 share in primetime total households for the week ended Sunday. NBC came in second place with a 7.6/12 and Fox pulled into third with a 6.6/10. ABC delivered a 5.6/9, The WB earned a 3.1/5 and UPN delivered a 2.2/3.

In the adults 18-49 demographic, top-10 performances by Joe Millionaire: The Aftermath and an edition of American Idol rose Fox (5/13) above perennial leader NBC (4.3/12). Trailing were CBS (4.1/11), ABC (3.4/9), The WB (2/5) and UPN (1.4/4).

The week's top-rated show in total households was a repeat of CSI. My Big Fat Greek Life, the television version of one of 2002's most popular movies, was the most popular first-run episode. Another episode was the 15th rated show. CBS led the top 10 with six entries; Fox and NBC had two each.

The top 10 programs were:

1. CSI (CBS), 14.6/22.
2. My Big Fat Greek Life Special (CBS), 14.3/21.
3. Everybody Loves Raymond (CBS), 14/20.
4. Law & Order (NBC), 13.1/22.
5. Survivor: Amazon (CBS), 12.8/20.
6. CSI: Miami (CBS), 12.4/20.
7. Without a Trace (CBS), 12.4/20.
8. Joe Millionaire – Aftermath (Fox), 12.1/17.
9. American Idol – Tuesday (Fox), 11.7/18.
10. Friends (NBC), 11.3/18.

A single national ratings point represents 1.06 million households.