TV ratings: 'Glee' back in a big way Tuesday

Fast National ratings for Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Four months of fan anticipation -- and an "American Idol" lead-in -- helped "Glee" capture its biggest audience ever Tuesday and deliver a strong ratings win for FOX. The show drew about 13.6 million viewers, more than 5 million above its season average, and a very strong 5.6 rating among adults 18-49 in recording its most-watched episode across the board.

FOX's overall average for Tuesday -- its schedule ran from 8 to 10:30 p.m. ET -- was 17.6 million viewers and a 10.2 rating/16 share in households. CBS (9.7 million, 6.4/10) edged ABC (9.6 million, 6.0/10) for second place. NBC took fourth with 7.6 million viewers and a 4.8/8, while The CW (1.3 million, 0.8/1) was way off the pace.

"Idol" and "Glee" also dominated the 18-49 demographic for FOX, averaging a 6.6 rating. NBC came in second with a 3.0, a little ahead of ABC's 2.9. CBS averaged 1.7 and The CW 0.6.

Tuesday hour by hour:

8 p.m.

FOX: "American Idol" (19.1 million viewers, 11.0/18 households)
ABC: "Dancing With the Stars" results (13.4 million, 8.5/14)
CBS: "NCIS" rerun (10.8 million, 7.1/12)
NBC: "The Biggest Loser" (7.3 million, 4.5/7)
The CW: "90210" (1.5 million, 1.0/2)

18-49 leader: "American Idol" (6.8)

9 p.m.

FOX: "American Idol" (22.6 million, 12.9/20)/"Glee" (14.4 million, 8.6/13)
CBS: "NCIS: Los Angeles" rerun (10.3 million, 6.7/10)
ABC: "Lost" (9.45 million, 5.6/9)
NBC: "The Biggest Loser" (9.2 million, 5.6/9)
The CW: "Melrose Place" season finale (1.1 million, 0.7/1)

18-49 leader: "American Idol" (7.9)

10 p.m.

FOX: "Glee" - 10 to 10:30 (12.8 million, 7.7/13)
CBS: "The Good Wife" rerun (7.9 million, 5.3/9)
NBC: "Parenthood" (6.4 million, 4.2/7)
ABC: "V" (5.9 million, 3.8/6)

18-49 leader: "Glee" (5.4)

Ratings information includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change. Source: The Nielsen Company.

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Photo credit: FOX