'GREY'S' TAKES ADULT SWIM

[Brian Damage]

September 29, 2007 -- THE return of "Grey's Anatomy" wasn't enough to beat "CSI" in total viewers - but it did win prime-time's coveted adults 18-49 crown.

"Anatomy," led by newly minted Emmy winner Katherine Heigl (Izzy), snared 20.5 million viewers Thursday (9-10 p.m.) on ABC.

The season premiere of "CSI," meanwhile, grabbed 24.9 million viewers in head-to-head competition.

Of more importance to ABC suits, however, was the fact that "Grey's Anatomy" scored a winning 8.7 in the adults 18-49 demo.

That's the demo targeted by advertisers, who are convinced people in this age group spend more money.

Elsewhere on the Thursday-night ratings scene, the premiere of ABC's "Big Shots" was steam rolled at 10 p.m., in total viewers, by CBS' "Without a Trace" - but finished a close second to "Trace" in adults 18-49.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/09292007...adult_swim.htm