TV ratings: 'American Idol' down, 'Missing' strong, 'Awake' gets a boost

Fast National ratings for Thursday, March 15, 2012

"American Idol" was down again this week with its results show, perhaps due to some eyes being averted to ABC's premiere of "Missing," starring Ashley Judd, which gave a strong showing up against "Idol" with 10.6 million viewers. And perhaps due to a new "Community" on NBC and a little March Madness with the NCAA Basketball Tournament on CBS.

NBC's "Awake" got a much-needed boost in its third episode, up to 5.05 million viewers from 4.25 million the previous week. And "Grey's Anatomy" won its time slot with 9.7 million viewers.

FOX grabbed the top spot among total viewers, averaging 12.1 million and a 7.2 rating/12 share in households. ABC (9.1 million, 6.0/10) came in second ahead of CBS (4.7 million, 3.1/5), NBC (4.6 million, 2.8/5) and The CW (2.1 million, 1.3/2).

In the adults 18-49 demographic, FOX won with a 3.4 rating. ABC had a 2.4, NBC 1.9 and The CW 1.0.

Thursday hour by hour:

8 p.m.

FOX: "American Idol" results (15.5 million viewers, 9.1/15 households)
ABC: "Missing" (10.6 million, 6.8/11)
NBC: "Community" (4.9 million, 2.7/5)/"30 Rock" (4.05 million, 2.4/4)
CBS: 2012 NCAA Basketball Tournament (4.3 million, 2.9/5)
The CW: "The Vampire Diaries" (2.6 million, 1.6/3)

18-49 leader: "American Idol" results (4.5)

9 p.m.

ABC: "Grey's Anatomy" (9.7 million, 6.4/10)
FOX: "Touch" rerun (8.7 million, 5.2/8)
CBS: 2012 NCAA Basketball Tournament (5.6 million, 3.7/6)
NBC: "The Office" (4.9 million, 3.0/5)/"Up All Night" (3.6 million, 2.3/4)
The CW: "The Secret Circle" (1.6 million, 1.0/2)

18-49 leader: "Grey's Anatomy" (3.0)

10 p.m.

ABC: "Private Practice" (7 million, 4.9/8)
NBC: "Awake" (5.05 million, 3.3/5)
CBS: 2012 NCAA Basketball Tournament (4.24 million, 2.8/5)

18-49 leader: "Private Practice" (2.2)

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