• by Anya Khait , May 7, 2001

It was an exciting week for CBS and NBC in the race to the finish line of "sweeps." Both networks scored huge success with their programming, drawing record ratings and viewers.

The final episode of CBS's "Survivor: The Australian Outback" last Thursday night saw 36.4 million viewers tune in to see Tina Wesson win her $1 million. While this figure was down from the 51 million who watched Richard Hatch win the first "Survivor" in August, the second finale was up against tougher competition during a ratings "sweeps" period. Yet, while the first "Survivor" averaged 28.2 million viewers throughout its run, the second edition averaged 29.1 million. CBS also conquered the normally NBC dominated Thursday night lineup. "Survivor" audience was twice that of "Friends," and the one-hour interview show with "Survivor" cast members became the first program on any network to beat an original "ER" episode since Nov. 17, 1994. NBC had an exciting week as well. The Kentucky Derby, helped by a later post time and Monarchos - the gray colt who ticked off the second-fastest winning time in the history of the mile-and-a-quarter - drew its highest preliminary TV rating in nearly a decade. NBC Sports' debut broadcast of the Triple Crown Series produced an 8.3 overnight rating and 20 share Saturday. This figure was 25% higher than last year's Derby rating on ABC, which had aired the past 26 Runs for the Roses. The Derby hasn't had as a high an overnight rating as Saturday's since 1992, when it drew a 9.5 on ABC. The first half-hour of Saturday's telecast, from 21-2130 GMT, had a preliminary rating of 5.6. The rating grew to 8.1 and then 11.3 over the ensuing half-hours. In a successful move, NBC changed the traditional 2130 GMT post time to 2207 GMT in an effort to draw more viewers and figuring that ratings for the Derby on ABC and NBA playoff games on NBC had both been hurt in the past by having to go head-to-head.

- Anya Khait may be reached at anya@mediapost.com