The last quarter of the 2006 TV season didn't do much for Fox (NWS), but the New Year's Day victory to start off 2007 should be the first of many victories in the coming months ahead for the network.
The Fiesta Bowl contest between Boise State and Oklahoma - won by Boise State in overtime - averaged 13.7 million viewers and a 4.9 rating/12 share in the 18-49 
demographic in primetime, according to Nielsen Media Research. Those are estimates and could go higher when the official figures are released.
Last year's Sugar Bowl for ABC (DIS) was a little lower taking in 13.6 million viewers.
The average figures for the the night were: Fox (12.2 million, 4.2/10); CBS (CBS) (10.1 million, 3.3/8); ABC (9.2 million, 3.4/8); NBC (GE) (5.1 million, 1.9/5); and The CW (2.4 million, 0.9/2).
With the upcoming launch of their two heavyweights "American Idol" and "24," Fox should be on solid footing for a long stretch of the 2007 season.
Comment Preview