Repeated @ #3......

LOS ANGELES, CA --- Fast National ratings for Friday, February 10, 2006

The start of the Winter Olympics on Friday didn't measure up to past opening ceremonies, but it still delivered a sizable ratings victory for NBC.

The Peacock averaged a 13.1 rating/21 share for the night, easily beating second-place ABC's 6.9/11.

CBS came in third with a 5.8/9. UPN, 2.9/5, finished fourth, followed by FOX, 2.0/3, and The WB, 1.3/2. NBC also led among adults 18-49 with a 6.6 rating. ABC was second in the demographic with a 3.0, beating out CBS' 2.6.

FOX averaged 1.8, UPN 1.6 and The WB 0.8.

The opening ceremonies from Turin, Italy, posted an 11.2/18 for NBC at 8 p.m. ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" held up well, finishing second at 9.7/16. CBS was third with a repeat of "Ghost Whisperer." The first hour of "Friday Night Smackdown!" on UPN drew a 2.7/4, good enough to beat the first hour of "Arrested Development's" season finale, 2.0/3, on FOX. The WB went with the movie "Swimfan."

At 9 p.m., the Olympics improved to 14.4/23 -- a far cry from the huge 42 share the 2002 Salt Lake City opening delivered but still dominant for the hour.

CBS moved up to second with "Close to Home," 5.9/9, which edged out ABC's "In Justice," 5.7/9. "Smackdown!" kept UPN in fourth with a 3.2/5. "Arrested Development" improved slightly in its second hour. The WB's movie trailed.

NBC's Olympic coverage drew a 13.6/22 at 10 p.m., beating the combined total for CBS' "Numb3rs," 6.6/11, and ABC's "20/20," 5.3/9.

Ratings information is taken from fast national data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change.

Story: © 2006 Tribune Media Services and Nielsen Media Research, Inc.. All Rights Reserved.
Image: © 2005 Touchstone Television LLC - a Walt Disney Company and Paramount Pictures Corporation - a Viacom Company. All Rights Reserved.