nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for tuesday, october 12, 2010)

Here are the highlights of the 13 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night:

CBS (15.61 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 3.3, #T1) and FOX (8.03 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 3.3, #T1) split the adults 18-49 crown on Tuesday as the latter served up new episodes of "Glee" (11.12 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 4.6, #1), "Raising Hope" (6.35 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 2.6, #T5) and "Running Wilde" (3.53 million viewers, #11; adults 18-49: 1.5, #11).

The Eye then offered up its usual mix of "NCIS" (18.97 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 3.9, #2), "NCIS: Los Angeles" (16.06 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 3.5, #3) and "The Good Wife" (11.80 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 2.6, #T5).

Next up was ABC (10.27 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 2.5, #3) with week three of "No Ordinary Family" (7.68 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 2.3, #8) followed by new episodes of "Dancing With the Stars" (15.69 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 3.4, #4) and "Detroit 187" (7.43 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 1.8, #10).

Meanwhile, NBC (6.23 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 2.4, #4) offered up original installments of "The Biggest Loser" (7.00 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 2.6, #T5) and "Parenthood" (4.69 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 2.0, #9).

And finally, new episodes of "One Tree Hill" (1.94 million viewers, #12; adults 18-49: 1.0, #12) and "Life Unexpected" (1.66 million viewers, #13; adults 18-49: 0.8, #13) on The CW (1.80 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.9, #5) rounded out the evening.

Week-to-week changes (adults 18-49): NCIS: Los Angeles (9.40%), Dancing With the Stars (6.30%), NCIS (5.40%), The Good Wife (4.00%), The Biggest Loser (4.00%), Glee (2.20%), Raising Hope (0.00%), Parenthood (0.00%), Detroit 187 (0.00%), One Tree Hill (0.00%), Life Unexpected (-11.10%), No Ordinary Family (-11.50%), Running Wilde (-16.70%).

In late-night metered market ratings, ABC's "Nightline" (3.8/9) took top honors over NBC's "Leno" (2.5/6) and CBS's "Letterman" (2.9/7). Rounding out the night then were "Kimmel" (2.3/7) on ABC "Ferguson" (1.3/5) on CBS and "Fallon" (1.2/4) and "Daly" (0.7/3) on NBC.

Here are the highlights of the 12 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (10/13/09):

FOX (7.96 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 3.8, #1) snuck into the top spot on Tuesday thanks to a new "Hell's Kitchen" (7.69 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 3.7, #3) and the season finale of "Hell's Kitchen" (8.24 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 4.0, #2).

CBS (16.16 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 3.6, #2) then had to settle for the silver with its mix of "NCIS" (20.40 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 4.4, #1), "NCIS: Los Angeles" (15.32 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 3.5, #4) and "The Good Wife" (12.76 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 2.7, #7).

Next up was NBC (7.92 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 2.9, #3) with new episodes of "The Biggest Loser" (8.99 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 3.4, #5) and "The Jay Leno Show" (5.78 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 1.8, #9).

Meanwhile, ABC (8.80 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 2.2, #4) offered up its combination of "Shark Tank" (5.37 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 1.6, #10), "Dancing With the Stars" (13.45 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 2.8, #6) and "The Forgotten" (7.58 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 2.0, #8).

And finally, new episodes of "90210" (2.38 million viewers, #11; adults 18-49: 1.2, #11) and "Melrose Place" (1.40 million viewers, #12; adults 18-49: 0.7, #12) on The CW (1.89 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 1.0, #5) rounded out the evening.

Source: Nielsen Media Research