World Series Sweep for CBS

Like the world champion Cincinnati Reds sweeping the heavily favored Oakland Athletics, CBS’ World Series telecasts did the same to the competition in the prime time ratings race.

On both Friday and Saturday evenings, CBS was the most watched network, according to overnight ratings from 24 metered major markets released Sunday. The network had also won Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

Saturday’s fourth game drew a 22.5 rating and was seen by 38% of all households watching television during its time slot. CBS received a 20.6 rating for the entire prime-time block, which also included the World Series pregame show.

NBC averaged an 11.8 for its normally high-rating comedy lineup of “Parenthood,” “Working It Out,” “The Golden Girls,” “Empty Nest,” “Carol & Company” and “American Dreamer.” ABC was last at 9.5 with the 1987 movie “Adventures in Babysitting,” and “Twin Peaks.”

CBS averaged an 18.6 rating Friday night, as Cincinnati’s 8-3 victory received a 20.8. Friday night’s usual ratings winner, ABC, trailed with a 15.1, with NBC last at 8.9. ABC and NBC both aired their regularly scheduled Friday lineups.

National ratings will be announced today.