TV Ratings: FOX boosted by Cotton Bowl, but CBS dramas win the night

Fast National ratings for Friday, Jan 6. 2012

Despite a hard charge from FOX with its airing of the Cotton Bowl, CBS held off the Arkansas vs. Kansas State football game to win the night. Their drama block of "A Gifted Man," "CSI: NY" and "Blue Bloods" delivered its traditional strong numbers during the first Friday of 2012.

The game, however, proved a ratings booster for FOX which usually lags on Fridays with "Fringe" and "Kitchen Nightmares." The Cotton Bowl delivered more the double the viewers FOX is used to receiving during these time slots. It also helped the network win the 18-49 demo with a 2.2.

CBS averaged 10.1 million viewers and a 6.4 rating/11 share. FOX came in second with 7.8 million viewers and a 4.6/8. ABC was in third place with 5.2 million viewers and a 3.5/6. NBC followed (3.6 million, 2.4/4) and CW (1.7 million, 1.0/2) brought up the rear.

In the adults 18-49 demographic, FOX won with a 2.2. CBS came in second with a 1.7. ABC scored a 1.4, NBC had a 1.0 and The CW earned a 0.7.

Friday hour by hour:
8 p.m.

CBS: "A Gifted Man" (8.5 million viewers, 5.5/9 households)
FOX: "2012 AT&T Cotton Bowl" (7.3 million, 4.4/8 )
ABC: "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (5.4 million, 3.3/6)
NBC: "Chuck" (3.4 million, 2.1/4)
The CW: "Nikita" (1.5 million, 1.0/2)

18-49 leader: "2012 AT&T Cotton Bowl" (2.0)

9 p.m.

CBS: "CSI: NY" (10.5 million, 6.6/11)
FOX: "2012 AT&T Cotton Bowl" (8.3 million, 4.8/8)
ABC: "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (6.0 million, 3.7/6)
NBC: "Grimm" - Repeat (2.4 million, 1.6/3)
The CW: "Supernatural" (1.8 million, 1.1/2)

18-49 leader: "2012 AT&T Cotton Bowl" (2.5)

10 p.m.

CBS: "Blue Bloods" (11.2 million, 7.1/12)
ABC: "20/20" (5.0 million, 3.4/6)
NBC: "Dateline" (5.0 million, 3.3/6)

18-49 leader: "Blue Bloods" (1.8)

Ratings information includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change, especially in the case of live telecasts. Source: The Nielsen Company.