Numbers tell sad tale for 2008-09 season

May 21, 2009 Fox won the season in the adults 18-49 demographic, averaging 9.8 million viewers and a 3.6 demo rating in the "most current" Nielsen Media Research figures, which include DVR use. 13% in total viewers and 16% in the demo -- mainly because it did not have the Super Bowl and because of softening ratings for "American Idol," television's most popular show. ABC placed third (8.9 million, 2.9), falling 3% in both metrics because of ratings slippage by its popular scripted dramas.

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