Country Music Awards top Wednesday

UPDATED: The 42nd annual Country Music Awards easily dominated Wednesday night and won the evening for ABC.

The CMAs were seen by 15.9 million viewers and earned a 5.0 adults 18-49 rating and a 13 share, beating broadcast competitors during all three hours of its telecast.

The CMAs were down 7% from last year in the adult demo and marked an all-time low for the Awards. But the year-to-year decline was relatively shallow and the show's total viewers are essentially unchanged in a year when most awards shows have suffered steep drops.

CBS and Fox tied for second, with CBS' comedy hour showing little change with "The New Adventures of Old Christine" (6.8 million, 2.0/6) and “Gary Unmarried” (6.6 million, 2.1/5). "Criminal Minds" (14.8 million, 3.8/10) was up 9% from last week to place second in the hour, though 10 p.m.'s "CSI: NY" (11.6 million, 3.0/8) fell by the same percentage.

Fox aired "Bones" (10.9 million, 3.5/9) -- up 6% and a season high -- and a repeat.

The second week of NBC's new crime block sunk slightly lower. "Knight Rider" (5.3 million, 1.5/4) was down a tenth to create a new bottom and place fifth in the hour. "Life" (5.8 million, 1.8/5) fell 10%. But the second episode of "Law & Order" (7.9 million, 2.2/6) was unchanged despite heavier competition from the CMAs.

The CW's "America’s Next Top Model" (3.7 million, 1.9/5) and "Stylista" (1.7 million, 0.9/2) were on par.

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 12, 2008 Rate/share 8-8:30 8:30-9 9-9:30 9:30-10 10-10:30 10:30-11 5.0/13 42nd Annual CMA Awards 15.9 mil, 5.0/13 2.9/8 The New Adventures of Old Christine 6.8 mil, 2.0/6 Gary Unmarried 6.6 mil, 2.1/5 Criminal Minds 14.8 mil, 3.8/10 CSI: NY 11.6 mil, 3.0/8 1.8/5 Knight Rider 5.3 mil, 1.5/4 Life 5.8 mil, 1.8/5 Law & Order 7.9 mil, 2.2/6 2.9/8 Bones 10.9 mil, 3.5/9 House (R) 6.2 mil, 2.4/6 No programming 1.4/4 America's Next Top Model 3.7 mil, 1.9/5 Stylista 1.7 mil, 0.9/2 No programming