‘Idol’ tops ratings despite Olympics week

Fri., Feb. 24, 2006

Frazier Moore Associated Press

NBC routed network rivals with its first full week of Winter Olympics competition, but the Torino Games took a back seat to several customary hits in the weekly Nielsen rankings.

Fox’s “American Idol” held its grip on the top two slots for the week ending Sunday.

The Feb. 15 edition was the week’s top-rated show with 28.8 million viewers, while the Feb. 14 broadcast was No. 2 with 27 million.

The ABC medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy” was third with 24.4 million – topping its Sunday night lead-in, “Desperate Housewives,” for a second straight week.

“DH” was fourth with 23.4 million.

Fifth, sixth and seventh places were claimed by Olympics coverage airing on Monday, Saturday and Thursday of last week, respectively.

ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” was eighth, followed by the Olympics’ Sunday telecast and Fox’s doctor drama “House.”

Overall, NBC won the week in prime time, averaging 19.4 million viewers (11.7 rating, 18 share).

ABC had 11.4 million (7.3 rating, 11 share), and Fox 10.4 million (6.3 rating, 10 share).

CBS, the season-to-date champion, fell to fourth place for the week with 10.2 million viewers (6.7 rating, 10 share).

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