For the 2nd Wednesday in a row, ABC benefited from non-regular programming. Last week, the Alphabet network had a special episode of DWTS. This week, the CMAs were the one to thank. Yesterday’s broadcast of the 42nd annual event gave ABC wins in both the viewers and the demos.

8pm

• The 2008 CMAs (5.0/13 in 18-49) averaged 15.9 million over three hours.
• Bones (10.9 million, 3.5/9) was up 800,000.
• The New Adventures of Old Christine (6.8 million, 2.0/6) picked up 200,000 more; Gary Unmarried (6.7 million, 2.1/5) was up 300,000.
• Knight Rider (5.3 million, 1.5/4) grew by 200,000.
• America’s Next Top Model (3.7 million, 1.9/5) lost 200,000.

9pm

• Criminal Minds (14.8 million, 3.8/10 in 18-49) raised another 500,000.
• House* (6.2 million, 2.4/6) slid by a 1/2 million.
• Life (5.8 million, 1.8/5) did the same as before.
• Stylista (1.7 million, 0.9/2) fell by 300,000.

10pm

• CSI: NY (11.6 million, 3.0/8 in 18-49) was on par with last week.
• Law & Order (7.9 million, 2.2/6) improved slightly.

*denotes repeat

(You can review last Wednesday’s ratings here.)