Ratings: Grammys Numbers Fly High

Viewership for the 52nd annual Grammys rose dramatically, drawing its best audience since 2004 and continuing this awards season's uptick in the ratings.

See photos of Grammys fashion hits and misses

Early estimates show some 26.6 million viewers watched Sunday's telecast — a whopping 35 percent improvement over 2009's ceremony, which drew 19.1 million viewers. The big numbers led CBS to an easy victory, with ABC placing a distant second for the night.Desperate Housewives(11.4 million viewers) was, as usual, the high spot for ABC's Sunday night, but it fell 3 percent from last week and tied a series low among 18-to-49-year-olds. Brothers & Sisters(7.7 million viewers) and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition(8.5 million) were down 8 and 12 percent, respectively.The lack of a big football lead-in audience hurt Fox, as all of its comedies were well below their season averages. Family Guyfared the best, pulling in 6.2 million viewers.NBC's two-hour Datelinepulled in 4.8 million viewers while a special sports-themed Saturday Night Liveclip show drew 3 million viewers.