nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for friday, january 7, 2011)

Here are the highlights of the 11 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night:

Coverage of the 75th "Cotton Bowl: LSU vs. Texas" (9.39 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 2.8, #1) had no problem putting FOX (9.39 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.8, #1) on top on Friday.

ABC (5.32 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.6, #2) then scooped up the leftovers with its mix of "Supernanny" (4.81 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 1.3, #T6), "Primetime: What Would You Do?" (5.15 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 1.7, #T2) and "20/20" (6.00 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 1.7, #T2).

Next up was CBS (7.90 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.5, #3) with new episodes of "Medium" (6.90 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.4, #5) and "CSI: NY" (9.44 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.6, #4) followed by a repeat of "The Mentalist" (7.36 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.3, #T6).

Meanwhile, NBC (5.08 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.3, #4) was out the hunt with a repeat of "Minute to Win It" (4.29 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 1.2, #9) and a new two-hour "Dateline NBC" (5.49 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 1.3, #T6).

And finally, repeats of "Smallville" (1.50 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 0.6, #10) and "Supernatural" (1.24 million viewers, #11; adults 18-49: 0.5, #11) on The CW (1.37 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.5, #5) rounded out the evening.

Week-to-week changes (adults 18-49): 20/20 (70.00% vs. 12/17/10), Primetime: What Would You Do? (30.80% vs. 12/17/10), Supernanny (30.00% vs. 12/17/10), Medium (0.00% vs. 12/3/10), CSI: NY (-5.90% vs. 12/3/10), Dateline NBC (-7.10% vs. 12/17/10).

Late-night ratings will be available later this weekend.

Here are the highlights of the 11 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (1/8/10):

CBS (9.08 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.1, #1) was once again Friday's top draw with its mix of "Ghost Whisperer" (9.00 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 2.2, #2), "Medium" (8.93 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 2.1, #T3) and "NUMB3RS" (9.32 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.1, #T3).

Second place then went to NBC (7.89 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.7, #2) with an expanded "Dateline NBC" (8.95 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.9, #5) and a new "The Jay Leno Show" (5.78 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 1.4, #6).

Next up was ABC (5.34 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.6, #3) with a new "Supernanny" (4.26 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 1.2, #9), the return of "Shark Tank" (3.96 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 1.3, #T7) and a new "20/20" (7.81 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 2.3, #1).

Meanwhile, FOX (3.67 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.1, #4) offered up a repeat of "Bones" (4.97 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 1.3, #T7) and a new "Dollhouse" (2.38 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 0.8, #10).

And finally, a full night of "Smallville" (1.52 million viewers, #11; adults 18-49: 0.6, #11) repeats on The CW (1.52 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.6, #5) rounded out the night.

Source: Nielsen Media Research