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Local Nielsen ratings snapshot (Thurs., July 8) -- LeBron-athon paces prime-time

By ED BARK
LeBron James' announced move to Miami, otherwise known as ESPN's super-hyped The Decision, emerged as prime-time's top-scoring program Thursday.

The one-hour special drew 210,375 D-FW viewers from 8 to 9 p.m., with a very substantial 140,249 of them in the advertiser-coveted 18-to-49 age range. Coming in second during that hour were the Texas Rangers, who eventually blew a four-run lead to lowly Baltimore. The 8 to 9 p.m. portion of the game had 190,016 total viewers while ABC's summertime newcomer, Rookie Blue, ran third with 176,444 viewers.

The 12th edition of CBS' Big Brother premiered at 7 p.m., edging ABC's competing Wipeout in total viewers by a score of 176,444 to 162,871. BB also comfortably won the hour among 18-to-49-year-olds. Other than ESPN's LeBron-athon, it was the night's most-watched program in that demographic.

A repeat of CBS' The Mentalist ran first at 9 p.m. in both audience measurements.

In local news derby results, WFAA8 had its biggest day in recent memory, running the table at 5, 6 and 10 p.m. in both total viewers and 25-to-54-year-olds, the main advertiser target audience for newscasts on most stations.

There was no love, though, for WFAA8's 6 a.m. Daybreak. NBC5 swept that time slot while WFAA8 tied for third in total viewers with CBS11 and fell to fourth among 25-to-54-year-olds.

PROGRAMMING NOTE -- CBS Radio's 100.3 Jack FM and TXA21 are collaborating on a series of three late night half-hour music programs titled All Jacked Up. The first one is Friday, July 9th at midnight, with episodes also scheduled for July 16th and 23rd.

Jack FM deejay "Chandler" hosts, with contributions from Amber White. "This is a great chance to check out local bands without ever leaving the couch," Chandler says in a publicity release.

Featured on the first episode are Adler's Appetite, Silver Loves Mercury, Rivethead, One Seed and Uncle Barky Hates Entertainment Tonight. (Actually that last band hasn't been formed yet.) The show also will take a look at Ozzy Osbourne's recent stop in Dallas to promote his book.