HDTV Ratings: May 20-23

TV3’s Drug Bust smashed the competition last night, rating at least five points higher in the major demographics.

It was most popular among household shoppers with kids, drawing 21.8% compared to Situation Critical’s 11.4% and My House My Castle’s 11.9%.

That made it nearly as popular as Shortland Street in this demo, with the serial’s hour-long Monday instalment rating 24.7%.

But TV3 couldn’t maintain the momentum for the rest of its HD line-up, with CSI drawing only half the viewership – 11.9% of HHS/kids, 8.9% of 25-54 year-olds, 8.7% of 18-49 year-olds – and Californication one-third.

They were thrashed by TV2’s Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters but largely competitive with TV One’s Criminal Minds and Castle.

TV3’s Sunday HD shows – Modern Family, CSI: Miami, The Good Wife – were down on the previous week as were Hyundai Country Calendar and ITM Fishing Show on Saturday, although TV3’s late-night HD movie, Premonition, rated surprisingly well and easily won its slot in the key demos.

Friday’s ratings for Glee andThe Graham Norton Show were up on the previous week, despite the latter screening opposite the semi-final of American Idol.