Fans tune in for Cher’s farewell

Cher’s “farewell” concert special delivered sizable ratings for NBC on Tuesday, averaging an estimated 16.6 million viewers -- surpassing recent Celine Dion and Faith Hill specials and posting the network’s highest rating with entertainment in the time slot in 2 1/2years.

ABC’s “NYPD Blue” also returned after a hiatus, averaging almost 11 million viewers despite the stiffer-than-usual competition.

-- Brian Lowry