TV ratings: CMA Music Festival surges, ‘Under the Dome’ falls

ABC went all country Monday night and boosted ratings in the process. The network’s three-hour “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock,” exploded to an average viewership of 8.19 million, according to early numbers from Nielsen, up 44% from last year’s telecast.

The festival, which featured performances by Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Jason Aldean, roped in a rating of 2 in the key adults 18-49 demographic, an increase of 33% from last year, when the event aired Sept. 17. It was the festival’s best rating since 2006.

The event made ABC the most watched and highest rated network for the night.

PHOTOS: Cable versus broadcast ratings

CBS show “Under the Dome” hit its series low, falling 12% from last week to a 2.3 in the key demo. Still, the series, which is based on a Stephen King novel about a small town trapped under a mysterious dome, was the highest rated and most watched program. It brought in an average 10.1 million viewers.

“Under the Dome” was the only original from CBS, which is still in a carriage dispute with Time Warner Cable that has resulted in CBS-owned channels going dark in several markets, including Los Angeles and New York.

On NBC, “American Ninja Warrior” jumped 14% to a 1.6 key demo rating, while “Get Out Alive with Bear Grylls” increased 8% to a 1.4. “Siberia” grew its rating 17% to a 0.7 and its total audience increased to 1.86 million.

Fox was in all repeats.

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ryan.faughnder@latimes.com