Final Network Rankings For 2010-11 Season: English-Language Nets Down, Univision Up

The Season 2010-11 ratings averages for the broadcast networks are in. Fueled by American Idol, which finished another season as the highest-rated show on television, and the Super Bowl, which became the most watched telecast in TV history, Fox extended its streak to seven consecutive seasons as No.1 in adults 18-49. CBS was once again No. 1 in total viewers, its eighth win in nine years. But all English-language broadcast nets were down year-to-year, even Super Bowl-boosted Fox, while Spanish-language Univision was up 8% in 18-49. Not surprisingly, NBC, which has been in worst shape, posted the biggest declines — 15% in 18-49 and 16% in total viewers — to finish fourth in both categories. (Breakout reality series The Voice couldn’t have come soon enough for the hit-starved network, whose last-season average included coverage of the Winter Olympics.) CBS’ year-to-year comparison (the network is down 9% in 18-49 and 3% in total viewers despite solid performances from its shows) was skewed by its broadcast of the Super Bowl last season. In median age, CBS continues to be the oldest-skewing network at 55, followed by ABC, NBC, Fox, Univision and CW, which has the youngest audience. Here are the broadcast networks’ final standings for the 2010-11 season: