TV ratings: 'The X Factor' finale up, easily wins Thursday

Fast National ratings for Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011

The finale of "The X Factor" scored a sizable ratings victory for FOX Thursday, drawing numbers on the high side of its performance for the season. The victory isn't much of a surprise as the finale aired opposite mostly reruns and specials on the other networks.

FOX delivered 12.45 million viewers and a 7.0 rating/12 share in households for the night, finishing more than 4 million viewers ahead of second-place CBS (8 million, 5.0/8). NBC (3.9 million, 2.5/4) took third. ABC drew 3.3 million viewers and a 1.9/3, and The CW came in at 1.4 million and 0.9/2.

"The X Factor" also gave FOX a big win among adults 18-49 with a 3.8 rating. CBS was the best of the rest at 1.8, followed by NBC at 1.1 and ABC at 1.0. The CW earned a 0.5.

Thursday hour by hour:

8 p.m.

FOX: "The X Factor" season finale (11.5 million viewers, 6.6/11 households)
CBS: "The Big Bang Theory" rerun (9.1 million, 5.6/10)/"Rules of Engagement" rerun (6.8 million, 4.2/7)
NBC: "Who's Still Standing?" (5.2 million, 3.1/5)
ABC: Specials - "Disney Prep & Landing" (3.85 million, 2.2/4)/"Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice" (3.7 million, 2.0/3)
The CW: "The Vampire Diaries" rerun (1.4 million, 1.0/2)

18-49 leader: "The X Factor" (3.5)

9 p.m.

FOX: "The X Factor" season finale (13.4 million, 7.5/12)
CBS: "Person of Interest" rerun (7.9 million, 4.9/8)
ABC: Special - "I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown" (3.6 million, 2.0/3)
NBC: "The Office" rerun (2.2 million, 1.5/3)/"Whitney" rerun (1.9 million, 1.3/2)
The CW: "The Secret Circle" rerun (1.4 million, 0.9/1)

18-49 leader: "The X Factor" (4.0)

10 p.m.

CBS: "The Mentalist" rerun (8.2 million, 5.3/9)
NBC: "Prime Suspect" (4.4 million, 2.9/5)
ABC: "Grey's Anatomy" rerun (2.5 million, 1.7/3)

18-49 leader: "The Mentalist" (1.5)

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

More ratings at Zap2it: Daily, weekly and cable