NBC tops Sunday with NFL; new CW block debuts

NBC topped Sunday night with NFL coverage while the CW unveiled its new repeats-and-movie lineup.

NBC's "Sunday Night Football" (13.6 million viewers, 5.3 preliminary adults 18-49 rating), Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings, was up from last week's game's early numbers. 

In second, CBS was boosted by NFL overrun, which skews the early figures for "60 Minutes" (15.6 million, 4.9), "The Amazing Race" (11.6 million, 3.6), "Cold Case" (10.6 million, 3.0) and "The Unit" (9.9 million, 2.7).

Third-place ABC aired an average episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (11.2 million, 3.6). "Desperate Housewives" (15.6 million, 5.6) was lower than usual but was still the highest-rated telecast of the night and was followed by an on-par "Brothers & Sisters" (10.2 million, 3.5).

With Fox airing a repeat of tentpole series "Family Guy," the network's animation lineup took a significant dip. "The Simpsons" (8.0 million, 3.5), "King of the Hill" (6.3 million, 2.8) and "American Dad" (5.5 million, 2.5) hit season lows. 

The CW's new programming lineup climbed significantly compared to recent weeks. The CW aired a repeat of the "Jericho" pilot (1.3 million, 0.4) -- essentially replacing the original MRC show that was canceled due to low ratings with repeats of a CBS show that was canceled due to low ratings. Then CW aired a movie, "The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course" (1.3 million, 0.4).

Though the lineup was up about 100% in the adult demo compared to how the MRC block performed recently, the numbers roughly match how the MRC shows performed at the start of the season. If these numbers hold up in the coming weeks, the CW should be satisfied with the result as an inexpensive stop-less measure for the time being.   

SUNDAY, Nov. 30, 2008 Rate/share 8-8:30 8:30-9 9-9:30 9:30-10 10-10:30 10:30-11 3.7/9 Extreme Makeover Home Edition 11.2 mil, 3.6/8 Desperate Housewives 15.6 mil, 5.6/12 Brothers & Sisters 10.2 mil, 3.5/8 4.1/10 Amazing Race 11.6 mil, 3.6/10 Cold Case 10.6 mil, 3.0/7 The Unit 9.9 mil, 2.8/7 4.3/10 Sunday Night Football 13.6 mil, 5.3/12 2.4/6 Simpsons 8.0 mil. 3.5/8 King of the Hill 6.3 mil, 2.8/6 Family Guy (R) 6.9 mil, 3.2/7 American Dad 5.5 mil, 2.5/5 No programming 0.4/1 The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course 1.3 mil, 0.4/1 No programming

Comments

[Antoine]

The Crocodile Hunter? Really? He's as dead as the rest of your lineup, CW!

[Norsu]

Jericho basically doubled CW's ratings versus last week. As a Rerun on a Holiday weekend with football game overruns I think Jericho viewership will trend favorably forward. Also, slammed in short notice and near no Promotion.