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Local Nielsen ratings snapshot (Tues.-Thurs., Aug. 21-23) -- three more sweeps for Rangers

By ED BARK
@unclebarkycom
Strap the top executives of Fox4, NBC5, WFAA8 and CBS11 to lie detectors. Ask them a simple question: Would you like the Texas Rangers to revert to their old losing ways so more people would start watching your networks' prime-time programming instead?

They'd all be lying if they answered "No." Because the first-place Rangers are a dominant ratings force this summer. From Tuesday through Thursday, they again were D-FW's most-watched TV attraction opposite whatever the networks threw against them.

Thursday's home win over the Twins, which stretched all the way to 10:45 p.m. on Fox Sports Southwest, averaged 264,190 viewers. The second most-watched prime-time program, CBS' Person of Interest repeat, had 135,482 viewers.

Wednesday night's Rangers game, a home field victory over the Orioles, pulled in 230,319 viewers on FSS. The runner-up in prime-time was CBS' CSI: Crime Scene Investigation rerun (149,030 viewers).

On Tuesday night, a home loss to the Orioles had 216,771 viewers on FSS, with NBC's two-hour America's Got Talent placing second with 142,256 viewers.

All three Rangers games also were tops among advertiser-prized 18-to-49-year-olds.

It's easier in the summer amid a sea of network repeats and first-run non-scripted shows. But this never used to happen. Now it's the norm, with FSS the prime beneficiary with the best overall regular season Rangers ratings in its history.

Here's a look at the local news derby Nielsens from Tuesday through Thursday:

Tuesday -- WFAA8 swept the 10 p.m. competitions in both total viewers and 25-to-54-year-olds, the main advertiser target audience for news programming.

At 6 a.m., NBC5 and WFAA8 tied for the top spot in total viewers, with WFAA8 soloing in first place with 25-to-54-year-olds.

The 6 p.m. golds were split between WFAA8 in total viewers and Fox4 in the 25-to-54 demographic. NBC5 won at 5 p.m. in total viewers, but WFAA8 wore the 25-to-54 wreath.

Wednesday -- CBS11 edged WFAA8 for the 10 p.m. top spot in total viewers while Fox4 cruised to a dominant win among 25-to-54-year-olds.

NBC5 won a pair of tight races at 6 a.m., edging WFAA8 in both measurements.

NBC5 and CBS11 tied for first at 6 p.m. in total viewers, but Fox4 again won with 25-to-54-year-olds. The Peacock swept the 5 p.m. Nielsens.

Thursday -- WFAA8 ran the table at 10 p.m. and 5 p.m. The ABC station also added a 6 a.m. win with 25-to-54-year-olds and a 6 p.m. win in total viewers.

Fox4 finished first at 6 a.m. in total viewers and also topped the 6 p.m. field in the 25-to-54 demographic.