Fox is top network

Fox is top network

NEW YORK — With a strong finishing kick from “American Idol,” Fox captured the distinction of America’s most popular television network for the first time since it began operation in 1987. Fox took that title from CBS. It was the only major broadcast network with more prime-time viewers than the previous season, a distinction helped by its telecast of the Super Bowl. Fox didn’t show television’s biggest event during the 2006-7 season.

The competition between the two Davids on “American Idol” — winner David Cook and runnerup David Archuleta — was seen by 31.7 million people on Wednesday, according to preliminary Nielsen Media Research estimates. Last year’s finale, won by Jordin Sparks, drew 30.7 million viewers.

CBS was second with 10.5 million viewers. It had the sharpest drop among the big broadcast networks, at 16 percent. ABC was third with 10 million viewers (down 7 percent) and NBC finished fourth with 8.9 million (down 9 percent). The troubled CW network was down 19 percent, with 2.6 million viewers.

Today’s birthdays

Actor-comedian Tommy Chong is 70. Musician Bob Dylan is 67. Singer Patti LaBelle is 64. Actress Priscilla Presley is 63. Actor Alfred Molina is 55. Singer Rosanne Cash is 53. Actress Kristin Scott Thomas is 48. Bassist Jimmy Ashhurst of Buckcherry is 45. Keyboardist Vivian Trimble (Luscious Jackson) is 45. Actor John C. Reilly (“Chicago,” “Gangs of New York”) is 43. Actor Eric Close (“Without A Trace”) is 41. Rapper Heavy D is 41. Guitarist Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes is 39. Actor Billy L. Sullivan (“Something So Right”) is 28. Actor-rapper Big Tyme is 25. Country singer Billy Gilman is 20.