CBS wins ratings race defeats ABC

In the second week of the broadcast season, CBS replaced ABC as the top network thanks to a strong lineup of competitive performers.

CBS won the week in both total viewers and the key adults 18-49 demographic, while ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" was once again the most-watched show.

CBS has yet to debut its highest-rated show, "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," which returns Thursday opposite ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," which was pre-empted Thursday by the vice presidential debate.

CBS (averaging 11 million viewers) was led by "NCIS" (17.5 million vs 18.0 million last week) and "60 Minutes" (16.6 million vs 12.6 million). But the network stumbled Friday with the premiere of "The Ex-List" (6.8 million), which was down from the debut of "Moonlight" in the slot last year.

ABC (9.2 million) was led by "Dancing with the Stars" (18.9 million vs. 21.3 million) and "Desperate Housewives" (15.7 million vs. 18.7 million).

NBC's top entry was "Sunday Night Football" (14.2 million vs. 17.3 million). "Heroes" (9.5 million vs. 10.1 million) lost ground, while "Knight Rider" (7.8 million vs. 7.3 million) improved.

At Fox, both "House" (13 million vs. 12.4 million) and "Fringe" (9.9 million vs. 9.4 million) gained ground, but "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" (5.4 million vs. 5.9 million) is eroding.