The biggest battle of the new season — Grey’s Anatomy vs. CSI — was underway last night with ABC’s red-hot medical drama the clear winner. But CBS still managed to be the most-watched network (770,000 viewers ahead of ABC), while ABC finished first in the overnights and adults 18-49. A night of season premieres on NBC settled for the distant No. 3 spot, while Fox’s perennial Thursday audience woes continued. The CW hid under the desk with repeats.
Grey’s Anatomy at 9 p.m. opened season three with a hefty 17.1/25 in the overnights, 25.14 million viewers and a 10.9/26 among adults 18-49. CBS’ CSI was down, but far from out, with its season-premiere at a 14.9/22 in the overnights, 22.04 million viewers and a 7.5/18 among adults 18-49. For comparative purposes, take a look at both dramas versus their year-ago launches.
Grey Anatomy (ABC)
9/25/05 (Sun. 10 p.m.) – Overnights: 13.2/20, Viewers: 18.98 million, A18-49: 8.3/20
9/21/06 (Thurs. 9 p.m.) – Overnights: 17.1/25, Viewers: 25.14 million, A18-49: 10.9/26
Percent Change – Overnights: +30, Viewers: +32, A18-49: +31
CSI (CBS)
9/22/05 – Overnights: 19.3/27, Viewers: 29.02 million, A18-49: 10.2/25
9/21/06 – Overnights: 14.9/22, Viewers: 22.04 million, A18-49: 7.5/18
Percent Change – Overnights: -23, Viewers: -24, A18-49: -26
This is the first time a non-season finale of any series has beat an episode of CSI since April 1, 2004 (and that show was the season-finale of then must see The Apprentice).
Mark Berman
To quote Whitney Houston "Hell to the No!"
