nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for tuesday, september 21, 2010)

Here are the highlights of the 12 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night:

FOX (9.47 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 4.1, #1) snagged the adults 18-49 crown on Tuesday thanks to the return of "Glee" (12.28 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 5.5, #1) followed by the premieres of "Raising Hope" (7.47 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 3.1, #5) and "Running Wilde" (5.87 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 2.5, #T9).

The comedies were down 11.4% and 28.6%, respectively, from the final hour of "Hell's Kitchen" a year ago (see below for specifics).

Second place then went to CBS (16.06 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 3.4, #2) with the season premieres of "NCIS" (18.92 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 3.9, #3), "NCIS: Los Angeles" (15.69 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 3.4, #4) and a second hour of "NCIS: Los Angeles" (13.60 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 3.0, #6).

Next up was ABC (13.35 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 3.1, #3) with night two of "Dancing With the Stars" (12.00 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 2.6, #8), a second hour of "Dancing With the Stars" (18.31 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 4.3, #2) and the launch of "Detroit 187" (9.75 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 2.5, #T9).

"Detroit" was off 3.8% from last year's launch of "The Forgotten" (see below for specifics).

Meanwhile, NBC (6.73 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 2.7, #4) offered up the return of "The Biggest Loser" (7.16 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 2.9, #7) and a new "Parenthood" (5.86 million viewers, #11; adults 18-49: 2.5, #T9).

And finally, new episodes of "One Tree Hill" (1.91 million viewers, #12; adults 18-49: 0.9, #12) and "Life Unexpected" (1.51 million viewers, #13; adults 18-49: 0.7, #13) on The CW (1.71 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.8, #5) rounded out the evening.

In late-night metered market ratings, ABC's "Nightline" (3.5/8) took top honors over NBC's "Leno" (2.7/7) and CBS's "Letterman" (2.9/8). Rounding out the night then were "Kimmel" (1.8/6) on ABC "Ferguson" (1.4/5) on CBS and "Fallon" (1.3/5) and "Daly" (0.8/3) on NBC.

Here are the highlights of the 11 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (9/22/09):

CBS (17.35 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 4.0, #1) rocketed to the top spot on Tuesday thanks to the return of "NCIS" (20.00 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 4.6, #1) followed by the premieres of "NCIS: Los Angeles" (18.32 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 4.4, #2) and "The Good Wife" (13.72 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 3.1, #T6).

FOX (6.80 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 3.3, #2) then snagged the silver with new episodes of "Hell's Kitchen" (6.65 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 3.2, #5) and another "Hell's Kitchen" (6.96 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 3.5, #T3).

Next up was ABC (13.29 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 3.2, #3) with night two of "Dancing With the Stars" (15.18 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 3.5, #T3) followed by the launch of "The Forgotten" (9.53 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 2.6, #8).

Meanwhile, NBC (7.24 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 2.9, #4) offered up new episodes of "The Biggest Loser" (7.48 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 3.1, #T6) and "The Jay Leno Show" (6.77 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 2.4, #9).

And finally, new episodes of "90210" (2.17 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 1.1, #10) and "Melrose Place" (1.45 million viewers, #11; adults 18-49: 0.8, #11) on The CW (1.81 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.9, #5) rounded out the night.

Source: Nielsen Media Research