Ratings: Football, 'Idol' rule broadcast television

For the week ending Jan. 17, the AFC Divisional Playoff between Baltimore and Indianapolis on CBS was the top-watched program on broadcast television. The showdown drew 30.6 million viewers. Right on its heels? TV’s biggest entertainment show: American Idol, which rolled in at No. 2 and 3 for its Tuesday and Wednesday premiere editions, which drew 29.9 million and 26.4 million viewers, respectively. Rounding out the top 5 were CBS’ top drama, NCIS, which attracted 20.8 million viewers, and the network’s top comedy, Two and a Half Men, which nabbed 17.3 million viewers. In total, 11 of the top 20 programs were on CBS for the week. The Golden Globes on NBC landed at No. 6, while the premiere of Fox’s 24 showed up at No. 18.

The week’s top 20—complete with viewership totals—is after the jump.

1. AFC Divisional Playoff: Baltimore at Indianapolis | CBS | 30.6 million

2. American Idol Tuesday | Fox | 29.9 million

3. American Idol Wednesday | Fox | 26.4 million

4. NCIS | CBS | 20.8 million

5. Two and a Half Men | CBS | 17.3 million

6. 67th Golden Globe Awards | NBC | 17.0 million

7. The Big Bang Theory | CBS | 15.8 million

(tie) 7. 60 Minutes | CBS | 15.8 million

9. NCIS: Los Angeles | CBS | 15.6 million

10. The Mentalist | CBS | 15.4 million

11. CSI | CBS | 15.3 million

12. CSI: NY | CBS | 14.0 million

13. Criminal Minds | CBS | 13.9 million

(tie) 13. The Good Wife | CBS | 13.9 million

(tie) 13. CSI: Miami | CBS | 13.9 million

16. Grey’s Anatomy | ABC | 12.8 million

17. House | Fox | 12.2 million

18. 24 | Fox | 11.4 million

19. Desperate Housewives | ABC | 11.3 million

(tie) 19. Private Practice | ABC | 11.3 million

Source: Nielsen