nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, october 9, 2010)

Here are the highlights of the nine ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night:

FOX (4.64 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.5, #1) claimed the adults 18-49 crown on Saturday thanks to its mainstays "Cops" (4.27 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 1.3, #T3) and "America's Most Wanted" (5.00 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.7, #1).

Second place then went to ABC (4.33 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.4, #2) with its "Saturday Night College Football" (4.33 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 1.4, #2) coverage.

Next up was CBS (5.12 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.0, #3) with repeats of "NCIS" (5.47 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.9, #6) and "The Defenders" (4.23 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.7, #7) followed by a new "48 Hours Mystery" (5.67 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.3, #T3).

And finally, repeats of "The Event" (2.26 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.5, #9), "Law & Order: Los Angeles" (3.30 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.6, #8) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (4.39 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.1, #5) on NBC (3.32 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.7, #4) rounded out the evening.

And in late-night, a new "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 4.8 household rating, 12 share in the metered markets.

Here are the highlights of the seven ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (10/10/09):

CBS (10.06 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 3.4, #1) snagged the top spot on Saturday with its annual coverage of "College Football: Florida at LSU" (10.06 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 3.4, #1).

FOX (5.23 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.8, #2) then had to settle for second place with full hours of "Cops" (5.11 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.8, #3) and "America's Most Wanted" (5.34 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.9, #2).

Next up was ABC (4.21 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.3, #3) with its mainstay "Saturday Night College Football" (4.21 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 1.3, #4).

And finally, NBC (3.87 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.8, #4) closed out the night with its mix of "PGA Overrun" (3.70 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T6), "Trauma" (2.73 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T6) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (4.70 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.2, #5).

Source: Nielsen Media Research