NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

CBS zaps its rivals

NEW YORK

Except for CBS, the broadcast networks mostly closed up shop last week. At least, that’s the suggestion from Nielsen, which says the average prime-time audience for CBS matched the total viewership for ABC, Fox and NBC.

Meanwhile, CBS logged a dozen of the week’s Top 20 shows and Fox scored three, effectively shutting out ABC and NBC. Cable’s ESPN collected the remaining five slots.

Here are Nielsen’s top programs for Jan. 12-18: 1. AFC Championship: Indianapolis at New England, CBS, 42.14 million; 2. CFP Championship: Oregon vs. Ohio State, ESPN, 33.40 million; 3. CFP Championship: Post-game, ESPN, 26.20 million; 4. “NCIS,” CBS, 19.87 million; 5. AFC Championship Post-game, CBS, 19.45 million; 6. College Football Pre-game Showcase, ESPN, 17.28 million; 7. “NCIS: New Orleans,” CBS, 16.39 million; 8. “Blue Bloods,” CBS, 12.73 million; 9. College Football Post-game, ESPN, 12.64 million; 10. “Scorpion,” CBS, 12.29 million.

Family of comedian, Wal-Mart settle claim

NEW YORK

The family of a comedian killed in the New Jersey Turnpike crash that seriously injured Tracy Morgan last summer has settled a wrongful death claim with Wal-Mart.

The out-of-court settlement between Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and the estate of James McNair is the first stemming from the June 7 crash in which a Wal-Mart truck slammed into a limo van carrying Morgan and others home from a show in Delaware.

Morgan, the former “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock” star, suffered a traumatic brain injury in the accident, according to his lawyer. Criminal charges against truck driver Kevin Roper are pending in state court in New Jersey.

Associated Press