CBS rebounds with ‘CSI’

Despite disappointing results for the NCAA basketball tournament, CBS ranked as last week’s most-watched network, while Fox continues to post sizable gains thanks to “American Idol,” based on viewing estimates issued Tuesday by Nielsen Media Research.

Viewing of the NCAA “Final Four” on Saturday plummeted by nearly a third compared with last year, continuing the tournament’s low shooting percentage this season. Fortunately for CBS, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” remains red-hot on Thursday nights, nearly doubling the average for NBC’s tandem of “Will & Grace” and “Good Morning, Miami” against it.

Fox, meanwhile, saw its audience rise by 35% compared with the corresponding week in 2002, as “Idol” also boosted the comedy following it, “Wanda at Large.” NBC edged Fox among young adults thanks to strong performances from “Law & Order” spinoffs “Special Victims Unit” and “Criminal Intent.” Still, any joy in Burbank had to be tempered by signs of weakness among the network’s aging stalwarts, as “Frasier” looked rickety against ABC’s “According to Jim” and “ER” posted a record low for an original episode, hurt in part by “CSI’s” dominance preceding it.

ABC’s new sitcom “Lost at Home” retained a respectable percentage of “Jim” viewers, while Barbara Walters’ postponed Oscar interview special didn’t have a red-carpet ratings reception. In fact, ABC’s ratings chill has carried into the spring, placing only two programs in last week’s top 40: “Primetime Thursday,” featuring Lisa Marie Presley, and “The Bachelor.”*

*

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / TEXT NOT INCLUDED)

Prime-time TV rankings