Ratings: The Simpsons Scares Up a Big Audience

This Sunday, as NBC's coverage of the Patriots-Colts game averaged 14.2 million total viewers: 8 pm/ETThe Simpsons won its time slot with an audience of 12.48 million, up 760K from last year's "Treehouse of Terror" special and the series best numbers since Feb. 22, 2004. In turn, lead-out King of the Hill (8.6 mil) gained 17 percent. Extreme Makeover did 11.7 mil, dipping 450 thou week-to-week, while Amazing Race held steady at 9.76 mil. The CW's Valentine (772,000) bled another 70K. 9 pmHousewives topped the hour (and the demos) with 15.86 million viewers, inching up 200 thou. Placing third behind football, Cold Case (11.64 mil) dropped 350K. Both Family Guy (9.97 mil, +900K) and the just-renewed American Dad (7.2 mil, +600K) saw increases over their last fresh eps, while the CW's Easy Money slid 170 thou to 650K. 10 pmBrothers & Sisters placed second with 9.72 mil, slipping 390 thou week-to-week. It was followed by The Unit (8.97 mil), which was down 130K.