America’s Next Top Model is continuing to win ratings for the relatively new network The CW. In three key demographic categories the show was number one this week, and it came in second place overall. (Fox won first with American Idol’s results show.)
 
America’s Next Top Model was number one this week in three demographic categories (adults 18 - 34, women 18 - 34, and women 18 - 49) and second with adults 18 - 49 (2.6 / 8-tie), one-tenth of a point from first place.

As well, the combination of America’s Next Top Model and the Wednesday encore presentation of Pussycat Dolls Present: Search for the Next Doll has brought The CW to second place in their favorite demographics for Wednesdays - adults 18 - 34 (2.5 / 7), women 18 - 34 (3.9 / 10), women 18-49 (2.9 / 7-tie.) With America’s Next Top Model as a lead-in, Pussycat Dolls Present: Search for the Next Doll shows more people watching on Wednesdays when it’s replayed than it does originally on Tuesdays.

The CW, which formed last fall out of the remnants of UPN and The WB television networks, is owned jointly by CBS Corporation and Warner Brothers. The combination of programming from the old UPN and The WB networks has proved a success for the company – viewership has increased by large amounts in comparison to either of the former networks.

Last fall, the brand new The CW network employed a new advertising strategy, promoting the show on popular social networking site MySpace. The season premiere of Cycle 7 of America’s Next Top Model, the first show on the newly-launched The CW network, showed increased ratings by 36% among teens as a result.

May sweeps will bring the season finale of America’s Next Top Model on Wednesday, May 16.

-Mel Harris, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Sources: the futon critic, Broadcasting Cable
Photo: The CW