'Revelations' off to a strong start

NEW YORK — It's a revelation: NBC figured out something to compete against "American Idol."

NBC's spiritual miniseries "Revelations" reached 15.6 million viewers for its debut last week, positive ratings news for a network that needs it. It was the most-watched NBC show airing opposite the Wednesday edition of Fox's "American Idol" since a 2002 NBA Finals game, according to Nielsen Media Research.

CBS scored another easy win as the most popular network in prime time last week. "CSI" was the most-watched program.

Despite the continuing domination of "Desperate Housewives" and its Sunday night lineup, ABC slipped to fourth place. The lackluster showings of new series "Eyes," "Blind Justice" and "Jake in Progress" proves not everything ABC programmers touch turns to gold.

For the week, CBS averaged 12.2 million viewers (7.9 rating, 13 share). Fox was second with 9.7 million (6.0, 10), and easily won among the 18-to-49-year-old age group that advertisers like. NBC had 8.7 million viewers (5.9, 10), ABC 8 million (5.2, 9), UPN 3.2 million (2.1, 3), the WB 2.9 million (2.0, 3) and Pax TV 550,000 (0.4, 1).

A ratings point represents 1,096,000 households, or 1 percent of the nation's estimated 109.6 million TV homes. The share is the percentage of in-use televisions tuned to a given show.

For the week of April 11-17, the top 10 shows, their networks and viewerships: (1) "CSI," CBS, 27.5 million; (2) "American Idol" (Tuesday), Fox, 25.6 million; (3) "Desperate Housewives," ABC, 25.3 million; (4) "American Idol" (Wednesday), Fox, 25 million; (5) "CSI: Miami," CBS, 20.7 million; (6) "Survivor" Palau," CBS, 20.4 million; (7) "Without a Trace," CBS, 20 million; (8) "Grey's Anatomy," ABC, 19.2 million; (9) "House," Fox, 17.8 million; (10) "Law & Order," NBC, 16.9 million.