UFC ratings strong

After two straight lackluster numbers, the fifth UFC on FOX number came back strong last night. Based on the overnight national ratings, the show did 3.41 million viewers and won the night among the networks in the 18-49 age group with a 1.6 rating (up about 60% from the previous two shows in the adult demo they are shooting for). It was second overall to CBS, which scored big with the kids/family audience with Christmas shows like Frosty the Snowman, Frosty Returns and The Flight Before Christmas. Because of the nature of live programming the the overnights, which measure the 8-10 p.m. time slot and the show airing 5-7 p.m. on the West Coast, not to mention the show went about 45 minutes past 10 p.m. Eastern, meaning the entire main event was not figured into the ratings, the number should rise significantly in the final ratings that will be out on Tuesday. It is unlikely to reach the numbers of the first two shows. As far as an overall rating goes, because we don't know how much the main event grew, it's hard to say, but a low to mid-2s level is where it should fall in.