• by Wayne Friedman , January 17, 2008

The nuclear TV bomb of Fox's "American Idol" continues to blow away the playing field--although viewers are not singing its praises to quite the rating levels of a year ago.

"Idol" took in its usual double-digit gargantuan ratings--this year a 13.8 adult 18-49 rating for its two-hour premiere on Tuesday night. The seven-year show averaged 33.2 million viewers. The "Idol" numbers were slightly down from 2007's season premiere--off 12% from its 18-49 numbers and 11% from its total viewer numbers.

These numbers are more or less in line with overall TV broadcast rating declines this year.

TV programs sent to almost certain slaughter included NBC with "The Biggest Loser;" CBS' "NCIS" and "Comanche Moon;" ABC's "Just for Laughs," "According to Jim," and "Carpoolers;" and CW's "Reaper" (a repeat) and "One Tree Hill."

"NCIS," "Loser" and "Jim" all hit season lows. "NCIS" came in at second place at 8 p.m. with a 3.0. "Loser" grabbed a 3.2 number at 9 p.m. for a second-place spot.

Once "Idol" roared through town, NBC picked up the pieces at 10 p.m. and won the time period with a 4.6 with "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." CBS came in second with a 2.5 for the second half-hour of "Comanche Moon"--the first hour hit a 2.5.

As expected, Fox easily won the night--with a 13.8 rating/32 share. NBC was second at 3.5/8, CBS came in third at 2.6/6, Univision and ABC tied at fourth at 1.4/3, and CW finished sixth at 1.0/2.