NBA, NHL finals score solid gains for networks (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Sports ruled the latestweek of television ratings, yet Fox still managed to finish ontop, led by its reality programming.

The NBA Finals on ABC and the NHL Stanley Cup Finals on NBCgave the networks some fresh ratings air, with both franchisesposting significant year-to-year gains.

The first two games between the Los Angeles Lakers andBoston Celtics won Thursday (13.4 million viewers and a 5.4rating/17 share in the key adults 18-49 demographic) and Sunday(13.5 million, 5.5/16). Thursday's game was up 46 percent, andSunday's match was up 62 percent from last year.

NBC's final two Stanley Cup playoff games last week mighthave been lower-rated than the basketball games, but theyposted even higher year-to-year increases. NBC tied for secondplace Monday night, with the hockey game up 155 percent (6.3million, 2.8/9), and won Wednesday with the game up 123 percent(6.8 million, 2.9/9).

Also making headlines last week was the debut of twoscripted series: "Swingtown" (8.6 million, 2.8/8) on CBS and"Fear Itself" (5.3 million, 2.0/6) on NBC. The shows were bothup against the NBA Finals on Thursday night and posted modestpremieres, with "Swingtown" topping "Fear."

Also premiering last week after a four-year absence wasABC's reality competition series "The Mole" (4.5 million,1.9/5), which hit a series low.

Overall, Fox won in the key demographic (averaging 6.5million viewers and a 2.5 rating/8 share), led by "Hell'sKitchen" (9.4 million, 4.4/12) and "So You Think You Can Dance"(Wednesday: 9.6 million, 3.7/11). ABC was second (averaging 6.1million, 2.2/7), followed by NBC (5.7 million, 1.9/6). CBSpulled off the trick of being fourth in the demo but winningthe week among total viewers (7.2 million, 1.7/5). The CW wasfourth (1.8 million, 0.7/2).

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter