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| NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice" is the night's top-rated non-scripted telecast. |
NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice" is the night's top-rated non-scripted telecast.
Networks saw boosts across the board on Easter Sunday. ABC topped Sunday with new episodes from its block. Though America's Funniest Home Videos (6.6 million viewers, 1.7 rating in adults 18-49 demo) was an encore, a new episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (2.2) was up 10 percent versus the previous week.
Veteran dramas Desperate Housewives (9.9 million, 2.9) and Brothers & Sisters (6.6 million, 1.9) increased 7 and 12 percent, respectively. Neither series has been officially renewed; for Housewives -- the night's No. 1 scripted telecast -- it is expected to return for an eighth season.
NBC was second with its three hours of reality shows, with America's Next Great Restaurant (3.6 million, 1.2) and Dateline (4.3 million, 0.8) the exceptions to the rule. Restaurant tied a series low while the latter was down 11 percent. A two-hour Celebrity Apprentice (8.1 million, 3.0), the top non-scripted program on Sunday, was the network's saving grace.
CBS was a solid third with 60 Minutes (10.3 million, 1.6), up 14 percent; The Amazing Race (9.3 million, 2.5), up 4 percent; and the Hallmark Hall of Fame: Beyond the Blackboard (8.5 million, 1.3) telefilm, reuniting Everwood vets Emily Van Camp and Treat Williams.
Fox aired back-to-back repeats of The Simpsons (2.3 million, 0.9), followed by The Simpsons Movie (3.7 million, 1.4).
CBS was the most-watched network, averaging 9.1 million. ABC (7.7 million), NBC (6 million), Fox (3.2 million) and the CW (1.1 million) followed. In the 18-49 demo, ABC (2.2) won the night, followed by NBC (2.0), CBS (1.7), Fox (1.2) and the CW (0.3).
