TV ratings: 'Fringe' rises a little Friday vs. softer competition

Fast National ratings for Friday, Dec. 14, 2012

Reruns and specials dotted the networks' lineups Friday night, resulting in some lower-than-average ratings in the timeslots where they aired. Those shows that remained in originals, though, saw their ratings improve a little.

"Fringe" was up a bit over last week for FOX, as were "Last Man Standing" and "Malibu Country" for ABC. CBS, NBC and ABC all aired news coverage of the Newtown, Conn., shootings at 10 p.m.

CBS led the night overall with 6.1 million viewers and a 3.5 rating/6 share in households, narrowly beating ABC (5.8 million, 3.7/6) for the top spot. NBC (5.2 million, 3.3/6) was not far behind in third. FOX drew 3.1 million viewers and a 1.9/3, while The CW delivered 1.5 million people and a 1.0/2.

ABC and CBS tied for the lead among adults 18-49 at 1.5. NBC was third at 1.3, followed by FOX, 1.1, and The CW, 0.4.

Friday hour by hour:

8 p.m.

ABC: "Last Man Standing" (7 million viewers, 4.4/8 households)/"Malibu Country" (6.5 million, 4.1/7)
CBS: "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" rerun (6.6 million, 3.6/6)
NBC: "Blake Shelton's Not So Family Christmas" rerun (4.1 million, 2.7/5)
FOX: "Kitchen Nightmares" (3 million, 1.9/3)
The CW: Movie - "Prancer Returns" (1.5 million, 0.9/2)

18-49 leader: "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (1.9)

9 p.m.

CBS: Specials - "Yes, Virginia" (5.9 million, 3.2/5)/"The Elf on the Shelf" (6 million, 3.2/5)
NBC: "Take It All" (4.7 million, 2.9/5)
ABC: "Shark Tank" rerun (4.3 million, 2.7/4)
FOX: "Fringe" (3.1 million, 1.9/3)
The CW: "Prancer Returns" (1.6 million, 1.1/2)

18-49 leader: "Yes, Virginia" (1.6)

10 p.m.

NBC: "Dateline" (6.8 million, 4.4/8)
ABC: "20/20" (6.25 million, 4.2/7)
CBS: News special - "Tragedy in Newtown" (5.7 million, 3.7/6)

18-49 leader: "Dateline" (2.0)

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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