Proving that Who Wants to Be a Millionaire remains ABC’s bedrock, the Disney-owned network rose to the top of the Nielsen ratings list for the fourth straight week, as Millionaire grabbed the top spot with its Tuesday edition, the fourth spot with its Thursday edition, and tied for tenth with its Friday edition. Preseason Monday night NFL football, another reliable standby for the network, also contributed to its success, placing fifth on the list. Overall, ABC wound up with a 5.8 rating and a 10 share. CBS, which saw a rerun of Everybody Loves Raymond rise to the No. 2 spot on the Nielsen list, was in second place with a 5.5/10. NBC placed third with a 5.4/10, followed by Fox with a 3.6/6.
The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research:
1. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (Tuesday), ABC, 9.6/16; 2. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 9.0/14; 2. Law and Order, NBC, 9.0/16; 4. Millionaire (Thursday), ABC, 8.8/14; 5. NFL Pre-season Football (Dallas vs. Oakland from Mexico City), ABC, 8.0/14; 6. Friends (8:30 p.m.), NBC, 7.7/13; 7. 20/20 (Friday), ABC, 7.6/14; 8. Dateline NBC (Tuesday), NBC, 7.5/13; 8. Yes, Dear, CBS, 7.5/12; 10. (Tie) Friends (8:00 p.m), Millionaire (Friday) ABC, 7.4/13.
