
Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze on "American Idol" with Ryan Seacrest. Vincent Bucci/Fox
Nielsen last week released the top broadcast shows from the past season, ended May 26, 2010, based on total viewers. “American Idol” was tops as usual but by a much smaller margin than it used to be, with ratings down about 10 percent from 2009.
Here are the top 20 in (000s). Among those outside the top 20 that used to be in the top 20: House (21), Lost (25), 24 (7), Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (39). Highest rated show to get axed: Cold Case (34). Lowest ranked show: High Society (ranked 124)
1 AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAY FOX 24,714
2 AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAY FOX 23,461
3 DANCING WITH THE STARS ABC 19,725
4 NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL NBC 18,782
5 NCIS CBS 18,699
6 UNDERCOVER BOSS CBS 17,732
7 THE MENTALIST CBS 16,828
8 CSI CBS 15,820
9 NCIS: LA CBS 15,667
10 DANCING WITH THE STARS RESULTS ABC 15,298
11 TWO AND A HALF MEN CBS 14,625
12 THE BIG BANG THEORY CBS 14,224
13 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES ABC 14,058
14 SURVIVOR: HEROES-VILLAINS CBS 13,669
15 CRIMINAL MINDS CBS 13,575
16 GREY’S ANATOMY ABC 13,552
17 SURVIVOR: SAMOA CBS 13,450
18 60 MINUTES CBS 13,269
19 THE GOOD WIFE CBS 12,771
20 CSI: MIAMI CBS 12,617
Among 18-49, a more crucial demographic for most shows and more advertiser appealing. “Glee,” ranked 33 overall, jumps to 15 among younger viewers.
1 AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAY FOX 9.1/24
2 AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAY FOX 8.4/22
3 NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL NBC 7.2/18
4 UNDERCOVER BOSS CBS 6.2/15
5 THE BIG BANG THEORY CBS 5.3/13
6 GREY’S ANATOMY ABC 5.1/13
6 LOST ABC 5.1/12
8 HOUSE FOX 4.9/13
9 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES ABC 4.8/11
9 TWO AND A HALF MEN CBS 4.8/12
11 THE OFFICE NBC 4.5/11
11 SURVIVOR: HEROES-VILLAINS CBS 4.5/13
13 DANCING WITH THE STARS ABC 4.4/11
13 THE BACHELOR ABC 4.4/10
15 SURVIVOR: SAMOA CBS 4.3/12
15 GLEE FOX 4.3/11
17 THE BIGGEST LOSER 8 NBC 4.2/11
18 NCIS CBS 4.0/11
18 HELL’S KITCHEN FOX 4.0/11
18 THE MENTALIST CBS 4.0/11
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