Reality keeps Fox on top

NBA Finals score low ratings for ABC
By RICK KISSELL


Over in cable, TBS' "House of Payne" was a big success in its premiere Wednesday (Daily Variety, June 8), combining with weekend runs of the original "Shrek" to lift the Turner net to a No. 1 finish among basic cablers for the week in 18-49.

USA, a close No. 2 in 18-49 and first in total viewers, saw Thursday drama "The Starter Wife" take a hit in its second airing (1.5/4 in 18-49, 3.92m) although it was still basic cable's No. 2 entertainment series of the week in 18-49, behind only "House of Payne."

And Lifetime's "Army Wives" (1.1/3, 3.27m), while not as potent at "Starter Wife," held up better in its second week -- retaining nearly all of its premiere-week aud in both total viewers and key female demos. In women 25-54, it was the No. 1 cable show in its 10 o'clock timeslot (1.9/5).

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And you can close the book on the 2006-07 television season, as Nielsen issued final program and network averages that include all DVR playback within seven days of a program's original airdate.

When the dust settled, Fox rose to a 4.1 rating/11 share in adults 18-49, maintaining its average of the previous season and winning rather comfortably over second-place CBS (3.7/10) and third-place ABC (3.5/10). NBC remained deep in fourth place (3.1/8).

Fox's "American Idol" finished as the No. 1 program in all key categories with Wednesday's results-show edition (see accompanying chart). And despite some ratings erosion down the stretch, its two nights combined were off just 3% in 18-49 rating vs. the previous year (12.2/31 share vs. 12.6/31).

Third-year medical dramas "Grey's Anatomy" on ABC and "House" on Fox tied as the season's No. 1 scripted programs in 18-49, while CBS vet "CSI" edged them both out to remain the top scripted show in total viewers.