• by Wayne Friedman , August 2, 2006

Network ratings aren't "Dancing" this summer--just strolling with some modest reality players from Fox and NBC. Nothing yet compares to the hit status of last year's "Dancing with the Stars." It pulled healthy 5.0 ratings among adult 18-49 viewers on ABC. The show then earned a prime-time slot in the regular season schedule.

Still, reality shows for Fox and NBC have given both networks higher adult 18-49 ratings numbers this summer. Fox is up 9 percent to a summer-leading 2.4 rating/8 share; NBC is up 5 percent to a second-place 2.1 rating/7 share. Both Fox's and NBC's 18-34 numbers are also higher. Fox is at a 2.4/9--up 4 percent--and NBC is 13 percent higher, at a 1.7/6.

Fox has seen decent 3.0 ratings numbers from its reality shows, such as "So You Think You Can Dance?" and "Hell's Kitchen." NBC has seen similar 3.0 numbers, plus good ratings results from its stable of reality shows, "America's Got Talent" and "Last Comic Standing."

CBS tied NBC for second place at a 2.1/7. But CBS' reality-show fortunes have been less noteworthy. A recent week for "Big Brother: All Stars" earned a 2.9 rating in adults 18-49, and "Rock Star: Supernova" earned a 2.8 number. CBS continues to earn some of the best results among drama re-runs with "CSI," "CSI: Miami" and "Without a Trace."

Then comes ABC, in last place with a 1.9/6.

Although ABC clearly had a good regular season, it has suffered this summer. It bombed with reality show "The One," an "Idol"-esque music-competition show. "One" hovered barely around a 1.0 rating--perhaps the lowest debut ever for a new ABC show. Last night's singles-dating show "One Ocean View" didn't fare much better. It became the summer's second-lowest-rated new reality show debut on the Big Four networks, averaging a 1.5 adults 18-49 overnight rating.