UPDATE: 'WEST WING' TALLIES HIGHEST NIELSEN VOTE COUNT IN MORE THAN A YEAR
Published: November 11, 2004

EMMY AWARD WINNER JIMMY SMITS JOINS THE ACCLAIMED DRAMA, WHICH COLLECTS ITS HIGHEST 18-49 RATING AND BIGGEST AUDIENCE SINCE OCTOBER 2003

'WEST WING' IS UP 18 PERCENT IN 18-49 AND 23 PERCENT IN TOTAL VIEWERS VS. THE SAME NIGHT LAST YEAR

'LAW & ORDER' LOCKS UP ITS TOP 18-49 NUMBERS SINCE SEPT. 29 AND BIGGEST AUDIENCE SINCE PREMIERE WEEK

BURBANK, Calif. -- November 11, 2004 -- With Emmy Award-winner Jimmy Smits joining the cast of the "The West Wing" last night the acclaimed fifth-season drama hit its highest ratings in more than a year, according to updated in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

At 9 p.m. ET, "The West Wing" (4.5 rating, 11 share in adults 18-49, 15.3 million viewers overall) achieved its highest 18-49 rating since Oct. 8, 2003 and its largest total viewership since Oct. 1, 2003.

"West Wing" grew by an explosive 105 percent versus its lead-in to rank #1 in adults 18-49 (tied with CBS) as well as #1 in adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and numerous other key demographics. Versus the same night last year, "West Wing" was up 18 percent in 18-49 rating and gained 2.8 million total viewers (up 23 percent).

At 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order" (4.7/12 in 18-49, 15.1 million viewers overall) apprehended its highest 18-49 numbers since Sept. 29 and its highest total viewer tally since premiere week (Sept. 22).

At 8 p.m. ET, "LAX" averaged a 2.2/6 in 18-49 and 7.2 million total viewers overall.

Updated Nov. 10 primetime 18-49 averages are: ABC 5.2/13; CBS, 4.2/11; NBC, 3.8/10; Fox, 3.6/9; UPN, 2.1/5; WB, 1.9/4. Last night's updated total viewer averages are: ABC, 13.4 million; NBC 12.5 million; CBS, 12.2 million; Fox, 7.6 million; UPN, 4.5 million; WB, 4.0 million.

In local-market late-night results last night, "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" (5.2 rating, 13 share in metered-market households) defeated CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman" (4.1/10) and ABC's "Nightline" (3.9/9) and "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (1.8/6). "Tonight" has been #1 versus regular competition on 34 of 37 nights so far this season.

At 12:35 a.m., "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" (2.5/9 in metered-market households) beat CBS' "Late Late Show" (1.8/6). Conan has been #1 versus regular competition on 37 of 37 nights this season in the metered markets.