TV Ratings: Monday (March 17, 2008)

Is all that Britney Spears buzz already paying off? The return of CBS' "How I Met Your Mother" last night scored 9.73 million viewers, 22% above the current season average, exceeding "The Big Bang Theory's" 9.11 million, despite airing opposite ABC's monster hit "Dancing with the Stars."

Speaking of "Dancing with the Stars," the reality contest kicked off its 6th cycle with 20.90 million people tuning in. The numbers were very similar to the 21.19 million people who watched the 5th season opener on September 24, 2007. British-flavored lead-out "The Bachelor" scored 8.96 million.

Things are not looking great for FOX's back-to-back freshman dramas, although "New Amsterdam" still manages to exceed "Canterbuty's Law" by a large margin, so that's always a plus. Compared to last year's time slot occupant "24" though, the show has failed to meet advertisers' expectations.

ABC:
8:00pm Dancing With the Stars (20.90 million)
9:32pm The Bachelor (8.96 million)

CBS:
8:00pm The Big Bang Theory (9.11 million)
8:30pm How I Met Your Mother (9.73 million)
9:00pm Two and a Half Men (14.03 million)
9:30pm The New Adventures of Old Christine (11.45 million)
10:00pm CSI: Miami (R) (9.66 million)

NBC:
8:00pm My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad (4.68 million)
9:00pm Deal or No Deal (9.93 million)
10:00pm Medium (9.89 million)

Fox:
8:00pm Canterbury's Law (5.66 million)
9:00pm New Amsterdam (7.30 million)

CW:
8:00pm Gossip Girl (R) (1.25 million)
9:00pm Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious (1.57 million)

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