"SURVIVOR: PANAMA -- EXILE ISLAND" TOPS THE WINTER OLYMPICS AND "DANCING WITH THE STARS" IN KEY DEMOGRAPHICS

In An Unprecedented Battle Among the Top Three Reality Shows and the Winter Olympics, "Survivor" Maintains Its Firm Grip on Young Adults

On an unprecedented night that saw network television's top three reality programs in a head-to-head battle with the Winter Olympic's highly anticipated presentation of the women's ice skating finals, SURVIVOR: PANAMA -- EXILE ISLAND emerged second behind "American Idol" in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and adults 25-54, according to preliminary Nielsen affiliate ratings for Thursday, Feb. 23.

SURVIVOR: EXILE ISLAND was second in adults 18-34 (3.8/11), adults 18-49 (5.4/13) and adults 25-54 (6.6/15) and third in viewers (14.85m). SURVIVOR beat "Dancing with the Stars" by +36% in adults 18-34 (vs. 2.8/08), +46% in adults 18-49 (vs. 3.7/09) and +47% in adults 25-54 (vs. 4.5/10). SURVIVOR beat the 8:00-9:00 PM portion of the Olympics by +31% in adults 18-34 (vs. 2.9/08), +23% in adults 18-49 (vs. 4.4/11) and +18% in adults 25-54 (vs. 5.6/12).

From 8:00-9:00 PM, homes using television (HUT levels) were up +7% versus the prior 22 weeks of the season. Among all viewers and adults 18-49, viewing levels increased by +11%.

Final Thursday ratings will be available this afternoon.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: What follows is the afternoon update with the final national Nielsen ratings.]

"SURVIVOR: PANAMA -- EXILE ISLAND" TOPS THE WINTER OLYMPICS AND "DANCING WITH THE STARS" IN KEY DEMOGRAPHICS

In An Unprecedented Battle Among the Top Three Reality Shows and the Winter Olympics, "Survivor" Maintains Its Firm Grip on Young Adults

On an unprecedented night that saw network television's top three reality programs in a head-to-head battle with the Winter Olympic's highly anticipated presentation of the women's ice skating finals, SURVIVOR: PANAMA -- EXILE ISLAND emerged second behind "American Idol" in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and adults 25-54, according to Live Plus Same Day National Nielsen ratings for Thursday, Feb. 23.

SURVIVOR: EXILE ISLAND (8.4/12, 14.85m) was second in adults 18-34 (3.8/11), adults 18-49 (5.5/14) and adults 25-54 (6.6/15). SURVIVOR beat "Dancing with the Stars" by +31% in adults 18-34 (vs. 2.9/08), +49% in adults 18-49 (vs. 3.7/09) and +47% in adults 25-54 (vs. 4.5/10). SURVIVOR beat the 8:00-9:00 PM portion of the Olympics by +31% in adults 18-34 (vs. 2.9/08), +25% in adults 18-49 (vs. 4.4/11) and +18% in adults 25-54 (vs. 5.6/12).

From 8:00-9:00 PM, homes using television (HUT levels) were up +7% versus the prior 22 weeks of the season. Among all viewers and adults 18-49, viewing levels increased by +11%.