TV Ratings: CBS tops FOX, despite a strong 'Idol' showing

Fast national ratings for Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012

"American Idol" is back in action, but FOX may be less than pleased with its reliable ratings grabber which, although solid, is decidedly down from last year. Could we possibly have reached the reality singing competition saturation point? On Thursday, "Idol" won its timeslot, but CBS edged out FOX overall with its now locked in Thursday evening blend of sitcoms and procedural drama.

CBS won the night with 14 million viewers and a healthy 8.5 rating/13 share in households. FOX was close behind with 12 million (7.2/11), followed by ABC (7 million, 4.6/7), NBC (4.2 million, 2.6/4) and The CW (2.1 million, 1.5/2).

In the adults 18-49 demo, FOX managed a win with a 3.9, though CBS was close behind at 3.5. ABC followed with 2.5, NBC with 1.7 and The CW with a 0.9. Thursday hour-by-hour:

8 p.m.

FOX: "American Idol" (17.8 million, 10.2/16)
CBS: "The Big Bang Theory" (15.7 million, 9.3/15)/"Rob" (11.7 million, 7.1/11)
ABC: "Wipeout" (5.8 million, 3.3/5)
NBC: "30 Rock" (4 million, 2.6/4)/"Parks and Recreation" (4.3 million, 2.6/4)
The CW: "The Vampire Diaries" (2.7 million, 1.8/3)

18-49 leader: "American Idol" (5.6)

9 p.m.

CBS: "Person of Interest" (14.3 million, 8.7/13)
ABC: "Grey's Anatomy" (9.3 million,m 6.2/9)
FOX: "The Finder" (6.8 million, 4.1/6)
NBC: "The Office" (6 million, 3.5/5)/"Up All Night" (4 million, 2.6/4)
The CW: "The Secret Circle" (1.7 million, 1.1/2)

18-49 leader: "Grey's Anatomy" (3.4)

10 p.m.

CBS: "The Mentalist" (14 million, 8.7/14)
ABC: "Private Practice" (6 million, 4.4/7)
NBC: "The Firm" (3.4 million, 2.3/4)

18-49 leader: "The Mentalist" (2.9)

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