Last night’s ratings

From “Ultimate TV”:

NBC’s “Law & Order” Rules Wednesday
Thu, Dec 16, 1999 08:02 AM PST

LOS ANGELES (UltimateTV.com) – Overnight Metered Market Ratings For Wednesday, December 15, 1999

NBC took overnight honors on Wednesday (December 15) with “West Wing” and “Law & Order” driving the peacock to an 11.1 rating/ 17 share (last week 9.1/14) ABC placed second, thanks to high scores from “The Drew Carey Show,” helping the network to an 8.1/13 (7.4/12) CBS clinched third taking a 7.2/11 (9.3/14) with its Wednesday night movie, “A Crime of Passion.” FOX came in fourth, with “Beverly Hills, 90210 pushing it to a 5.1/8 (9.4/15). Meanwhile, WB’s ” Dawson’s Creek” edged the frog net into fifth, averaging a 4.2/6 (3.0/5) for the night and UPN grabbed sixth place with a 3.6/6. (3.5/5).

NBC began the evening with ” Dateline,” logging an 8.7/14 (8.5/14). At 9 p.m., a new, holiday episode of Alan Sorkin’s ” West Wing” commanded a 10.5/16 (8.1/12). And at 10 p.m., a brand new ” Law & Order” won its case, bringing in the best ratings of the night with a 14.3/23 (10.6/17).

ABC kicked off Wednesday night with ” Two Guys and A Girl,” taking a 7.6/12 (7.1/11) at 8 p.m. At 8:30 p.m., ” It’s Like, You Know…” managed a 6.4/10 (6.3/10). At 9 p.m., ” The Drew Carey Show” pulled a 9.9/15 (8.1/12) taking the highest ratings of the night for the alphabet net. ” Norm” followed at 9:30, logging an 8.6/13 (6.7/10). And in the 10 p.m. hour, ” 20/20″ scored an 8.0/13 (8.3/13).

CBS started off the evening with ” Cosby,” grabbing a 6.1/10 at 8 p.m. At 8:30, a previously aired ” Becker” garnered a 6.2/10 (last week ” Martha Stewart’s Christmas Special,” 8.1/13 in the 8 p.m. hour). At 9 p.m., the CBS Wednesday night movie, ” A Crime of Passion” averaged a 7.8/12, peaking at 10:30 p.m. with an 8.2/13 (last week, ” A Holiday Romance” averaged a 9.9/15.)

FOX kicked things off with ” Beverly Hills, 90210,” averaging a 6.2/10 for the 8 p.m. hour. At 9 p.m., ” Get Real” managed a 4.1/6 (last week, ” 1999 Billboard Music Awards” averaged a 9.4/15).

The WB’s ” Dawson’s Creek” took a 4.5/7(3.1/5) at 8 p.m. while ” Roswell” grabbed a 3.9/6 at 9 p.m. (last week, ” Dawson’s Creek,” 3.0/4).

UPN began the night with ” 7 Days,” taking a 3.5/6 (3.2/5). It was followed by ” Star Trek Voyager,” which scored a 3.7/6 (3.8/6).”