CBS tops ratings again

Another week, another ratings win for CBS – which drew more than 44 million viewers for its AFC football championship game Sunday night, then got a big audience for its new drama, “Numb3rs,” which followed.

The game, pitting the New England Patriots against the Pittsburgh Steelers, was the most-watched broadcast of the season, according to Nielsen Media Research.

“Numb3rs” (which this week moves to its regular Friday slot) was the season’s most-watched premiere with 25 million viewers, making it the week’s sixth most popular show.

In the first 18 weeks of the season, CBS has been first in overall prime-time viewers 16 times.

But Fox also had plenty to smile about with the return of “American Idol.” The Jan. 18 season premiere was the week’s second most-watched show with 33.6 million viewers, and the next night’s edition was third with 26.7 million. Together, they helped lift Fox to runner-up status for the week.

Meanwhile, NBC was shut out of the week’s top 10 shows, with the third-season return of “The Apprentice” ranking 14th. ABC had “Desperate Housewives” (No. 4) and “Lost” (No. 8).