Fox takes a dip with 'Bones,' pair of sitcoms

By Paul J. Gough

NEW YORK -- After an OK start Tuesday night with "Fringe," Fox lost ground with Wednesday's lineup, including a "Bones" down from last week's premiere and less-than-impressive ratings for sitcoms " 'Til Death" and "Do Not Disturb."

Meanwhile, NBC won the night in viewers and adults 18-49 thanks to a two-hour "America's Got Talent," Nielsen Media Research said Thursday.

"Bones" (8.9 million, 2.9 rating/9 share in adults 19-49) was down 12% compared with last week's premiere, though it increased between 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. But then Fox lost that audience again at 9 p.m. with the season premiere of " 'Til Death" (6.3 million, 2.4/7) and the series premiere of "Do Not Disturb" (4.9 million, 2.0/5). " 'Til Death" fell 11% compared with last season's premiere in mid-September. Viewers heeded the admonition with "Do Not Disturb," falling 17% compared with the previous half hour.

NBC's "America's Got Talent" (11.5 million, 2.8/8) was about even with last week in adults 18-49 but up 12% in viewers. On the CW, "America's Next Top Model" (3.8 million, 2.0/6) was up compared with last week's premiere.

For Wednesday night's broadcast primetime, NBC (10 million, 2.6/7) narrowly edged out Fox (7.3 million, 2.5/7) in adults 18-49 and came out ahead of ABC (4.4 million, 1.6/4); CBS (7.1 million, 1.7/5); and the CW (3.1 million, 1.6/4).