Ratings Chart Attack!

After an 18-month hiatus due to the writers strike, Jack Bauer and “24” returned to Fox in a special two-hour season-seven prequel. The special beat “24’s” last telecast in May 2007 in terms of ratings and viewers, but was down considerably from season six’s premiere.

“24: Redemption”—which sets up season seven, set to premiere in January—pulled in a 4.0 rating/9 share in the 18- to 49-year-old demographic, according to preliminary Nielsen Media Research data.

“Redemption” grew 3% in adults 18-49 versus its season-six finale in May 2007, but dipped 34% from the season premiere in January 2007. The program also brought in 12 million viewers, up 15% from “24’s” last episode.

The writers strike forced a halt to production of season seven, which led Fox to scrap its standard January launch of “24,” pushing it until January 2009.

Coupled with NFL overrun (6.5/18) and “The OT” (4.9/13), Fox placed first for Sunday night with a 4.6/11.

“The American Music Awards” (5.1/12) on ABC enjoyed year-to-year growth, up 6% in adults 18-49, and posted its best numbers in four years.

ABC took second with a 4.3/10.

Lacking the historic rivalry of last week’s Dallas Cowboys/Washington Redskins game, Sunday’s Indianapolis Colts/San Diego Chargers matchup on NBC declined 24% to a 4.7/11 in the fast nationals. NBC placed third with a 4.0/10.

CBS’ “60 Minutes” (2.8/7, 14.6 million) was on par with Sundays with minimal football overrun. “The Amazing Race” (2.7/6, 10.2 million) hit its lowest Sunday telecast ever, while “Cold Case” (2.6/6, 12.1 million) and “The Unit” (2.5/6, 10 million) were on the level with last week.

CBS placed fourth with a 2.6/6 and second in viewers with 11.7 million.

The CW placed fifth with its soon-to-be-expired MRC lineup, drawing a 0.2/1.

CBS (2.5/8, 11.4 million) captured the night Friday with “Ghost Whisperer” (2.7/9, 11.4 million) and “Numb3rs” (2.5/8, 11.2 million) leading the way. ABC placed second with a 2.0/6, Fox placed third with a 1.5/5, NBC landed in fourth with a 1.1/3 and The CW was fifth with a 0.6/2.

For Saturday, Texas Tech versus Oklahoma (3.4/10) lifted ABC 183% over last week’s weak college football showings, giving the network the nightly win. Fox was second with a 1.9/6, CBS third with a 1.5/4 and NBC last with a 1.0/3.