Surprising no one, American Idol placed #1 and #2 for the 2008-9 broadcast prime-time season in terms of viewing by adults 18-49, the demographic most valued by TV advertisers.
With NBC Sunday Night Football at #3, two other NFL related shows were also in the top 20, The OT (Fox's Sunday recap show) and NBC's Sunday Night Pre-Kick runup show.
Along with American Idol and football there were a total of 11 unscripted shows in the top 20. Cheap (except for NFL games) and successful is a powerful force in the TV world.
CBS and ABC lead the networks, each with 6 of the top 20 shows. Fox and NBC each claimed 4 of the top 20 shows. But American Idol's lead over the runner ups was so great that Fox easily won the seasonal 18-49 title.
Most surprising to me is the return of The Bachelor to such a level of success. Time will tell whether this season was just lightning in a bottle or whether the franchise has been revived.
Compare this season's top 20 to last season's (2007-8) top 20. Remember the WGA strike hammered most scripted shows.
Top 20 Shows For Adults 18-49 For The 2008-9 Broadcast Prime-Time Season
| Rank | Programs | Network | STD Adults 18-49 Live+SD (000) | P18-49 Rating |
| 1 | American Idol-WEDNESDAY | FOX | 12,196 | 9.2 |
| 2 | American Idol-TUESDAY | FOX | 12,043 | 9.1 |
| 3 | NBC Sunday Night Football | NBC | 8,533 | 6.5 |
| 4 | Desperate Housewives | ABC | 6,799 | 5.2 |
| 5 | GREY'S ANATOMY | ABC | 6,278 | 4.8 |
| 6 | Two and a Half Men | CBS | 6,215 | 4.7 |
| 7 | HOUSE | FOX | 6,140 | 4.7 |
| 8 | Dancing with the Stars | ABC | 6,135 | 4.6 |
| 9 | CSI | CBS | 6,000 | 4.5 |
| 10 | THE OT | FOX | 5,772 | 4.4 |
| 11 | LOST | ABC | 5,597 | 4.2 |
| 12 | SUNDAY NIGHT NFL PRE-KICK | NBC | 5,578 | 4.2 |
| 13 | SURVIVOR: GABON | CBS | 5,543 | 4.2 |
| 14 | OFFICE | NBC | 5,292 | 4.0 |
| 15 | The Bachelor | ABC | 5,245 | 4.0 |
| 16 | Rules of Engagement | CBS | 5,154 | 3.9 |
| 17 | SURVIVOR: TOCANTINS | CBS | 5,073 | 3.8 |
| 18 | Biggest Loser 7 | NBC | 5,020 | 3.8 |
| 19 | DANCING W/STARS RESULTS | ABC | 5,017 | 3.8 |
| 20 | CSI: MIAMI | CBS | 4,836 | 3.7 |
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Nielsen TV Ratings: ©2009 The Nielsen Company. All Rights Reserved.
