"60 MINUTES" SCORES HIGHEST RATING IN ADULTS 18-49 IN A YEAR

America's number-one news magazine had its best delivery in adults 18-49 since Dec. 19, 2004 and also scored its highest adults 25-54 rating since Oct. 31, 2004, this past Sunday (4). The 4.9/13 rating represents a +40% increase in adults 18-49 and the 6.4/15 among adults 25-54 shows a +31% increase compared to the same night last year.

60 MINUTES (11.6/18,17.53m) also finished in first place in its time period in households, viewers and key demographics, while landing in the number 11 slot in viewers and tied for 7th in households, according to Nielsen national ratings for the week ending Dec. 4, 2005.

Sunday's broadcast featured a Steve Kroft report about worldwide efforts to monitor and contain the bird flu, a Dan Rather story about the deadly street gang MS-13, and Ed Bradley's profile of radio jock Howard Stern.