NBC Leaves the Hoops to CBS to Win Friday

Fast National ratings for Friday, March 26, 2004. NBC had a nice start to its weekend on Friday, taking the night among households with a 7.3 rating/13 share. CBS was second with a 6.2/11, to ABC’s 4.7/9, The WB’s 2.3/4, FOX’s 2.2/4 and UPN’s 1.3/2.

Among 18 to 49-year-olds, NBC also took the prize of a 3.5 to CBS’ 3.4 and ABC’s 2.4. FOX was fourth with a 1.4, trailed by The WB’s 1.3 and UPN’s 0.7.

At 8 p.m., NBC got the ball rolling with a two-hour "Dateline NBC," garnering a 6.6/12 for the hour (7.1/13 from 8 to 10). CBS settled into second place for the night, while ABC went the comedy route with "George Lopez," 5.3/10, and "Married to the Kellys," 4.6/8. The WB aired back-to-back episodes of "Reba" for a 2.7/5, putting FOX in fifth place with "Playing it Straight," 2.1/4. UPN averaged a 1.2/2 for the hour, courtesy of a double "Game Over" dose.

NBC continued to dominated at 9 p.m., while CBS was snug in second and had its best hour of the night, 6.7/12. ABC was third again thanks to "Hope & Faith," 4.9/9, and "Life with Bonnie," 4.4/8. FOX moved up to fourth with "Wonderfalls," 2.3/4, while The WB slipped to fifth with "Grounded for Life," 2.2/4, and "The Help," 1.8/3. UPN finished off its night with a reairing of Tuesday night’s "America’s Next Top Model" finale, 1.4/3.

"Law & Order: Criminal Intent" was the highest-rated, most-watched show at 10 p.m., taking the No. 1 slot for NBC with a 7.9/15. CBS stayed the course with basketball, while ABC and "The D.A." lost the case with viewers with a 4.6/8.