NCIS pulls in more viewers than American Idol

CBS‘s NCIS pulled in more viewers overall than Fox‘s American Idol but the long-running talent contest won the 8pm hour in terms of viewers aged between 18-49.

The latest episode of NCIS had 18 million viewers at 8pm last night for CBS meaning it won the hour in terms of total viewers but its 3.5 18-49 rating meant that Fox’s American Idol had the edge in the all important demo. American Idol, between 8pm and 10pm, drew 15.8 million viewers but importantly had a hefty 5.0 18-49 rating. Elsewhere at 8pm a repeat of Hart of Dixie on The CW had 800,000 viewers with just a 0.3 rating. The Biggest Loser on NBC had 5.6 million viewers with a 2.0 rating while Last Man Standing on ABC had 7.3 million viewers and a 2.1 rating followed by Courtney Cox comedy Cougar Town which slipped further down the ratings charts with 4.2 million viewers and a 1.5 rating.

At 9pm NCIS: Los Angeles had 15.6 million viewers with a 3.1 rating while ABC’s new paranormal series The River continued to under perform with 4 million viewers and a 1.5 rating. Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Ringer on The CW had 1.1 million viewers with a 0.4 rating; the drama had a promising start last year but with ratings this low looks set to be cancelled but the actresses name might be enough, just might, to get the series a second chance.

At 10pm Body of Proof on ABC had 6.7 million viewers scoring a 1.3 rating while Unforgettable on CBS had 9.9 million viewers with a 1.9 rating while Parenthood on NBC also had a 1.9 rating but a lower 5.1 million viewers.