"60 MINUTES" DELIVERS ITS HIGHEST LOCAL MARKET RATINGS IN OVER THREE YEARS

Positive Ratings Trend Continues for 60 MINUTES

60 MINUTES delivered its highest local market ratings in over three years last night (7). America's number-one newsmagazine averaged a 13.8 rating and 21 share in the country's top 56 television markets metered by Nielsen. The last time 60 MINUTES did this well in local market-metered ratings was Dec. 14, 2004, when the average was 14.0/21.

New England was particularly strong for 60 MINUTES, with Hartford-New Haven (21.2/30), Boston (20.7/30) and Providence (20.5/29) delivering the best metered market household ratings.

The timely broadcast featured three exclusive, highly coveted and news-making interviews. Lara Logan led off the telecast with her one-on-one with Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf - his first since his chief political rival Benazir Bhutto was assassinated. Then Steve Kroft weighed in with the first-ever interview of Boston mobster John Martoranno, who killed 20 people and became a government witness. Mike Wallace's much-anticipated interview with Roger Clemens, the baseball superstar accused of using steroids, was the third segment.

If the strong ratings continue, 60 MINUTES should post its ninth top 10 finish in 17 broadcasts this season.