Primetime ratings slide continues with weak Monday

By James Hibberd

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Broadcast networks received more bad news Monday night, when most shows' ratings registered week-over-week declines.

Fox's "House" topped the night but dropped 14 percent to its lowest rating in three years. CBS won the evening overall in the key demographic while most of its comedies fell slightly.

On CBS, "The Big Bang Theory" fell 10 percent (7.6 million viewers, 2.8 preliminary adults 18-49 rating and a 9 share) and "How I Met Your Mother" dropped 8 percent (8.3 million, 3.5/10). "Two and a Half Men" (13.5 million, 4.8/12) was the only show Monday to maintain its previous number. "Rules of Engagement" fell a notch (10.5 million, 3.9/9). At 10 p.m., "CSI: Miami" (13.9 million, 4.0/11) was down a tick yet won the hour.

Fox was second in the key demographic with "Bones," which was down 16 percent from the previous week (8.1 million, 2.7/8), followed by "House" (13.2 million, 5.0/12).

In third, ABC won the night among total viewers, led by "Dancing With the Stars" (18 million, 4.2/12), which won the 8 p.m. hour and was down a couple of points from the preceding week. "Samantha Who?" (10.5 million, 3.0/7) and "The Bachelor" (7 million, 2.4/6) were down a peg.

NBC had a two-hour "Deal or No Deal" (8 million, 2.3/6) that marked the game show's lowest Monday rating ever, followed by "Medium" (9.5 million, 3.2/9).

On the CW, "Gossip Girl" dropped a wincing 23 percent (2.1 million, 1.0/3), yet Monday's shocking ending has fans buzzing. "One Tree Hill" also was down a bit (2.2 million, 1.0/3).

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter