• Media Life, Tuesday, November 7, 2006 11:46 AM

While the networks have cut back sweeps period stunts of late, with awards ceremonies, miniseries and super-sized episodes kept to a minimum, one that has survived is the CMA Awards, a 40th annual version airing on ABC after 30 years at CBS. And it could help ABC to win November (its first since 1999) after tying CBS for No. 1 last year.

Last year, the CMAs averaged a solid 5.4 in adults 18-49 on a Tuesday. But this year, ABC put it in place of its low-rated Monday lineup, which is averaging a 3.1. And Monday is the only weak night for the network, which leads in 18-49s on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday nights. But ABC may need the CMA's extra heft to keep its lead through the final weeks of sweeps, when "Lost" and "Dancing with the Stars"--two of its top shows--are off the air.

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