According to zap2it, this episode scored 12.6/19 in the ratings. Does anybody know how many viewers this equates to?

I think it is somewhere around 18 million viewers?

ABC's 9 p.m. hotshot yielded an average of 21.7 million viewers and a 9.4 rating/22 share in the adults 18-49 demographic, according to Nielsen Media Research. "Lost" has cooled a little since it opened its sophomore season last month with 23 million viewers and a 25 share in adults 18-49, but it is nonetheless duking it out with CBS' "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and ABC's "Desperate Housewives" for the top rungs of primetime's 18-49 demo rankings.

Some viewers may have left, but Lost is still a top 3 and averages between 22-23 million viewers, which is really good

Some viewers may have left, but Lost is still a top 3 and averages between 22-23 million viewers, which is really good

I doubt viewers have actually left. Aren't baseball playoffs going on right now? I suspect some Lost audience was watching the game last night.

I'm a huge Sports fan and Baseball is by far my favorite. Yet....I missed it to watch LOST. I rather just watch the highlights of the game, versus missing this show right now.

I totally want a Nielsen box.

I think lots more watch it and agree that many Tivo or tape it to watch the BB games. Are we all supposed to feel bad it is only a top three show?? This is the most exciting and fresh show in a generation.

I agree. Lost has nothing to worry about. It is a bonafide mega hit. Last year it had a season average of around 17 million. To have an increase of around 6 million is a remarkable feat. When I said that some viewers may have left, i was referring to some of the new viewers who started watching season 2. maybe they were interested, watched the first 3 epis and decided to watch something else because it wasnt for them. But the other 6 mill new viewers look to be staying for the season and thats good to know. All the positive press, emmy award, have really helped Lost go to the next level.

The ratings system has always bothered me...

Niether me nor anyone who I know has ever had a nielson box or whatever.

If the monster would make another appearance it would help. What happened to the pilot? How come they aren't hearing "monster" noises any more?? Remember how much press there was speculating what the monster was? Let's get back to some of the stranger questions.... like how in heck did they suirvive???? How did Locke walk? What tried to pull Locke into the hatch? What are those black smoke thingies? How did Jack see his father? How did Walt appear to Shannon? These are the abstracts that draw my curiosity more than the hatch and pushing the button.

I'm a huge Sports fan and Baseball is by far my favorite. Yet....I missed it to watch LOST. I rather just watch the highlights of the game, versus missing this show right now.

if your baseball team was playing would you watch lost of the playoffs?

Just curious - Is that rating only for the Wed. showing? Or, does it include the Sat. showing?

Isn't CSI on on thursday? That wouldn't interfere with Lost on wednesday. I really would like some answers. They might have lost some of the audience because of the baseball games, but I don't think it's a lot. I know my baseball team isn't in the playoffs.

The ratings system has always bothered me...

Niether me nor anyone who I know has ever had a nielson box or whatever.
Me neither. Nobody I have ever met even told me that they knew anybody with one.
How do we know these things are real? How do we know that TV isn't a camera as well?
A little conspiracy to go with my morning coffee.