ABC won every-half hour of the night among adults 18 to 49 on the first Sunday of the May sweeps period.

Another sweeps period, another burst of what the networks consider big programming guns: it all gets under way again this Sunday.

This being a ratings sweeps period, the networks are predictably rushing toward the obvious.

In May 2006 as part of the May sweeps period, three GH veterans would return.

Crossover fever is a foolproof sign that we are in network sweeps period, but this stunt works better than the typical heat-seeking gimmick.

Obviously, gentle reader, we are in another television sweeps period, during which ratings are crucial in the pricing of network commercials for an entire business quarter.

Fox was No.1 in every major measure in the Nielsen ratings by wide margins, which puts the network in a strong position during this sweeps period.

The special hourlong episode is scheduled for April 30 (during the May sweeps period) and is loaded with mainstream guest stars.

With the February ratings sweeps period looming, the networks have largely been hoarding original episodes, and on Wednesday, viewers were offered few new programs.

The NBC movie, broadcast during the May sweeps period, was seen as a pilot for a possible series.