TV ratings: 'Bachelor' premiere falls as CBS (and the BCS) lead Monday

Fast national ratings for Monday, Jan. 2, 2012

The most-watched program of Monday night likely isn't on the list below -- ESPN's coverage of the Rose and Fiesta bowls will likely have the biggest audience of the night.

Among the broadcast networks, though, CBS easily won the night. The premiere of "The Bachelor," meanwhile, was down significantly from last season's debut on ABC, and a preview of "Celebrity Wife Swap" didn't do much either.

CBS averaged 11.9 million viewers and a 7.2 rating/11 share among households in primetime. ABC (7.25 million, 4.8/7) came in second, a good bit ahead of NBC (5.1 million, 3.0/4). Both FOX (3.8 million, 2.3/3) and The CW (891,000, 0.6/1) filled their schedule with repeats.

The Eye also led the adults 18-49 demographic with a 3.7 rating, beating ABC's 2.4. NBC finished third with a 1.7, followed by FOX, 1.2, and The CW, 0.3.

Monday hour by hour:

8 p.m.

CBS: "How I Met Your Mother" (10.2 million, 6.2/9)/"2 Broke Girls" (12.05 million, 7.1/10)
ABC: "The Bachelor" season premiere (7.6 million, 5.0/7)
NBC: "Who's Still Standing?" (5.6 million, 3.2/5)
FOX: "House" rerun (3.7 million, 2.3/3)
The CW: "The Secret Circle" rerun (992,000, 0.6/1)

18-49 leader: "2 Broke Girls" (4.3)

9 p.m.

CBS: "Two and a Half Men" (13.8 million, 8.2/12)/"Mike & Molly" (11.9 million, 7.2/10)
ABC: "The Bachelor" season premiere (7.9 million, 5.2/7)
NBC: "Fear Factor" (5.9 million, 3.2/5)
FOX: "House" rerun (3.8 million, 2.4/4)
The CW: "The Secret Circle" rerun (790,000, 0.5/1)

18-49 leader: "Two and a Half Men" (4.4)

10 p.m.

CBS: "Hawaii Five-0" (11.7 million, 7.2/11)
ABC: "Celebrity Wife Swap" (6.3 million, 4.2/7)
NBC: "Rock Center with Brian Williams" (3.85 million, 2.5/4)

18-49 leader: "Hawaii Five-0" (2.9)

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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