The three big networks — FOX, ABC, and CBS — were neck and neck last night for ratings, with CBS finally coming out on top in pure number of viewers with shows like CSI: NY and Blue Bloods.

Fringe, FOX’s X-Files-esque cult favorite, was down 10% last night for its season finale, with 3.30 million. But never fear, because Fringe will be back for a fourth season. Fringe has slowly lost viewers over the course of its three seasons, despite progressing tremendously in terms of story. The season 1 finale was watched by 9.28 million, while 5.68 million tuned in for the season 2 finale. Will interest in Fringe continue to dwindle over season 4, or can the show regain some of its following?

Also on FOX earlier in the night, Kitchen Nightmares, angry British Chef Gordon Ramsay’s show, had 3.66 million viewers, a 23% increase over last week.

On ABC, Shark Tank, a show in which hopeful inventors and small business owners try to appeal to billionaire moguls and get funding, pulled in 4.48 million viewers. Primetime: What Would You Do garnered 4.04 million viewers, and 20/20 brought in 6.09 million viewers, both remaining steady over last week.

On NBC, Friday Night Lights had 2.72 million viewers, up 10% from last week. And on CBS, the return of Flashpoint had 6.89 million viewers. Later, CBS took the night, with CSI: NY (9.31 million viewers) and Blue Bloods (10.12 million viewers).

And over in CW land, two fan favorites remained steady. Smallville, whose series finale is rapidly approaching, had 2 million viewers. Supernatural had 2.08 million viewers.

And if you missed it, here’s our Supernatural recap.

That’s it for this week in ratings! See you all next week.

Source: Nielsen

(Image courtesy of FOX)

Matt Click

Staff Writer, BuddyTV