American Idol (Fox), Bones (Fox)
The live American Idol Results Show beat the four competing networks combined, with a 13.5 rating/22 share in the overnights from 8-9 p.m. As a benchmark, a repeat of Bones on the year-ago evening averaged a 4.4/ 7 on March 18, 2010. Thanks to the ample lead-in support, Bones at 9 p.m. was above-average at a dominant 7.8/13. But retention out of the 8:30 p.m. portion of American Idol (14.3/23) was lacking at 55 percent.
| 9:00 | FOX | Bones | 3.5 | 11 | 12.491 |
| ABC | Private Practice | 1.9 | 6 | 6.207 | |
| CBS | 2011 NCAA BASKETBALL | 1.9 | 6 | 5.520 | |
| NBC | The Office – R | 1.5 | 5 | 3.702 | |
| CW | Nikita – R | 0.6 | 2 | 1.700 | |
| 9:30 | FOX | Bones | 3.2 | 10 | 11.343 |
| ABC | Private Practice | 1.8 | 6 | 5.974 | |
| NBC | Parks and Recreation | 1.8 | 5 | 4.056 | |
| CBS | 2011 NCAA BASKETBALL | 1.6 | 5 | 4.442 | |
| CW | Nikita – R | 0.5 | 1 | 1.368 |
American Idol’s 5.6 adults 18-49 rating was down 16% vs. last Thursday. Adults 18-49 viewing was down 12.4% vs. last Thursday, more Daylight Saving Time? Interestingly, Bones‘ 3.4 rating rose 6% vs. last week.
Source: TV Ratings Thursday: Fox Wins As "Bones" Rises; "American Idol," "Private Practice," "Community," "Perfect Couples," "Parks & Rec," "30 Rock" Fall at TV By the Numbers
9 p.m.
FOX: "Bones" (11.9 million, 7.1/12)
ABC: "Private Practice" (6.1 million, 4.1/7)
CBS: NCAA tournament (5 million, 3.2/5)
NBC: "The Office" rerun (3.7 million, 2.3/4)/"Parks and Recreation" (4.1 million, 2.5/4)
The CW: "Nikita" rerun (1.5 million, 1.0/2)
18-49 leader: "Bones" (3.4)
Source: TV ratings: 'American Idol' falls but still rules Thursday, NCAA tournament down (at least on CBS) at Zap2It
Tipster: lysaleelee
on DVD today at 
as well at