'V' premiere draws youthful demographic

Last update: November 12, 2009 - 7:21 AM

The strong premiere of ABC's science fiction series "V" caps an unusually strong development season for the network.

Opening week of the Earth-invaders series was seen by 14.3 million viewers, the Nielsen Co. said. That was the second-best new series debut for the season behind the CBS spinoff "NCIS: Los Angeles," and it was the most-watched scripted show of the week among the coveted youthful demographic.

Three of ABC's new scripted series -- also including "Modern Family" and "Flash Forward" -- finished among the 32 most-watched prime-time shows the week of Nov. 2-8. CBS had two of its new series within the top 32. By contrast, Fox's "Bones" was its only scripted series -- new or returning -- in Nielsen's top 32. NBC had none at all.

Diane Sawyer's interview with Rihanna on Friday gave "20/20" its biggest audience among viewers ages 18 to 34 in three years, Nielsen said. On CBS, Katie Couric's interview with Andre Agassi led "60 Minutes" to its best ratings of the season.

For the week, network averages were: CBS, 11.1 million viewers (7.0 rating, 11 share); Fox, 10.7 million (6.5, 10); ABC, 9.3 million (5.9, 10); NBC, 8.2 million (5.1, 8); CW, 2.3 million (1.6, 2); ION, 950,000 (0.6, 1).

In the evening news race: NBC "Nightly News," 9.5 million (6.2, 12); ABC "World News," 8.4 million (5.7, 11); "CBS Evening News," 6.2 million (4.2, 8).

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1 World Series Game 6: Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Yankees (Fox)

2 Sunday Night Football: Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles (NBC)

3 NCIS (CBS)

4 Sunday Night NFL Pre-Kick (NBC)

5 World Series Game 5: New York Yankees at Philadelphia Phillies (Fox)

6 60 Minutes (CBS)

7 Dancing With the Stars (ABC)

8 The Mentalist (CBS)

9 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS)

10 NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS)

11 Dancing With the Stars Results (ABC)