Fox wins week as viewers abandon talent shows

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Despite "American Idol" taking some well-publicized ratings hits, Fox won its 15th consecutive week in the Nielsens, according to data issued Tuesday.

Last Tuesday's edition of the singing contest hit a five-year-low (23.7 million viewers), while Wednesday's fell to a four-year low (23.3 million). The show's respective season averages are 29.5 million and 28.2 million.

Fox averaged 8.8 million viewers in the week ended April 20, and was boosted by a sturdy Thursday lineup of "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" (9.2 million) and "Don't Forget the Lyrics" (9.3 million), as well as by a strong performance from "Hell's Kitchen" (10.6 million).

On the scripted side, however, "New Amsterdam" (6.6 million) had a finale that's assumed to be the series' last episode.

CBS (8.5 million viewers) followed, while ABC (7.9 million) and NBC (7.3 million) trailed.

With "American Idol" claiming the top two spots, ABC claimed the next three with its pair of "Dancing with the Stars" shows -- which plumbed record lows -- and "Desperate Housewives." The suburban soap hit a series low of 15.7 million viewers, down from a season average of 18.5 million.

The top CBS show was "NCIS" at No. 6 (15.1 million), while NBC's top entry was "Law & Order: SVU" at No. 7 (13.3 million). Both are up from their respective season averages of 14 million and 11.3 million.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter