Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Fast National ratings for Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2003. On a competitive Tuesday night, three different networks captured at least one hour and could claim some share of ratings victory.

Overall, NBC and CBS both averaged a 5.1 rating/8 share for the win. FOX wasn’t far behind with a 5.0/8 and even ABC kept close with a 4.6/8. In metered markets, The WB took fifth with a 2.7/4, outdistancing UPN’s 2.1/3.

Among adults 18-49, FOX scored a big win with a 3.4 rating among the coveted demographic. CBS was second with a 2.7 rating, followed closely by ABC’s 2.5. NBC trailed (but not by much) with a 2.4 rating.

CBS began the night with the lead as "Big Brother 4" scored a 6.6/11 for the 8 p.m. win. ABC was second with "8 Simple Rules" (5.7/10) and "Life with Bonnie" (4.3/7). NBC was in third with the 4.4/8 for two episodes of "Frasier," just beating out "Performing As" on FOX. The 2.8/4 for "Gilmore Girls" on The WB was superior to the 2.4/4 UPN got from two episodes of "One on One."

FOX moved into first at 9 p.m. as "The O.C." won the hour with a 5.9/10. Taking second was "Cupid," which scored a 5.0/8 on CBS, just in front of the 4.9/8 averaged by ABC’s "According to Jim" and "Less than Perfect." NBC again took fourth with another "Frasier" and "Good Morning, Miami." "Smallville" gave The WB a 2.6/4 to top the 1.8/3 for "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" on UPN.

The night’s highest rated show, with a 6.7/12, was NBC’s "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." ABC came in second at 10 p.m. with the 4.1/7 for "NYPD Blue." "Judging Amy" dropped CBS to third.

Ratings information is taken from fast national data. Numbers for UPN and The WB are from the overnight metered markets. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change.