TV ratings: 'Grey's Anatomy' season finale scores but 'American Idol' leads the night

Fast National ratings for Thursday, May 17, 2012

"Grey's Anatomy" posted some of its best numbers of the season with Thursday's finale, which in turn gave a boost to the season finale of "Scandal." FOX had the night's biggest show, though, as the "American Idol" results improved some on lasts week's ratings.

Elsewhere, the season finale of "Person of Interest" on CBS was up a little in viewers but down in adults 18-49 compared to last week, while a triple bill of "Community" on NBC was more or less in line with recent episodes.

CBS led the night in viewers, drawing 11.4 million people and a 7.1 rating/12 share in households. FOX (11.1 million, 6.8/11) was close behind in second. ABC (8.4 million, 5.6/9) finished third. NBC drew only 2.5 million viewers and a 1.6/3 to finish fourth. The CW (838,000, 0.6/1) trailed.

Thanks to "Idol," FOX led the adults 18-49 demographic with a 3.0 rating. ABC, 2.5, narrowly beat CBS, 2.4, for second. NBC averaged 1.1 in the demo and The CW 0.3.

Thursday hour by hour:

8 p.m.

FOX: "American Idol" results (15.85 million viewers, 9.5/16 households)
CBS: "The Big Bang Theory" rerun (8.3 million, 5.3/9)/"Rules of Engagement" season finale (7.3 million, 4.6/8)
ABC: "Missing" series finale (6.5 million, 4.4/8)
NBC: "Community" (3 million, 1.9/3)/"30 Rock" season finale (2.85 million, 1.8/3)
The CW: Special - "Perez Hilton All Access: Katy Perry" (965,000, 0.6/1)

18-49 leader: "American Idol" (4.2)

9 p.m.

CBS: "Person of Interest" season finale (13.35 million, 8.2/13)
ABC: "Grey's Anatomy" season finale (11.15 million, 7.5/12)
FOX: "Touch" (6.3 million, 4.0/6)
NBC: "Community" season finale (2.55 million, 1.5/2)
The CW: "The Vampire Diaries" rerun (711,000, 0.5/1)

18-49 leader: "Grey's Anatomy" (3.9)

10 p.m.

CBS: "The Mentalist" season finale (13 million, 8.1/13)
ABC: "Scandal" season finale (7.5 million, 5.1/9)
NBC: "Awake" (2.1 million, 1.4/2)

18-49 leader: "The Mentalist" (2.5)

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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