The Nielsens: 'Idol' not idle, hits No. 1

The Thursday edition of "American Idol" was the most-watched program for the week ending Sunday, according to Nielsen. Here are the top 10 prime-time programs, ranked by millions of viewers:

1. AMERICAN IDOL -- Thursday, Fox, 18.5 million

2. NCIS, CBS, 18.2

3. AMERICAN IDOL -- Wednesday, Fox, 17.2

4. AMERICAN IDOL -- Tuesday, Fox, 16.1

5. NCIS: LOS ANGELES, CBS, 15.9

6. THE VOICE, NBC, 14.9

7. DAYTONA 500, Fox, 13.7

8. CRIMINAL MINDS, CBS, 12.5

9. DAYTONA 500 RED FLAG PORTION OF RACE, Fox, 12.4

10. TWO AND A HALF MEN, CBS, 11.9