48 HOURS: “The Girl Next Door” was Saturday’s #1 program with adults 25-54, the demographic that matters most to those who advertise in news, and viewers, according to Nielsen live plus same day ratings for July 18. The broadcast was also #1 at 10:00 PM with adults 25-54 and viewers, delivering double-digit year-to-year percentage increases in both categories.

48 HOURS: “The Girl Next Door” (R) (10:00-11:00 PM) delivered 5.02 million viewers and a 1.2/04 with adults 25-54. Compared to the same night last year, 48 HOURS was up +50% in adults 25-54 and +64% in viewers. 

And at 9:00 PM, 48 HOURS: “Blaming Melissa” (R) (S) was the #1 program with adults 25-54 and viewers. “Blaming Melissa” delivered 3.78 million viewers and a 1.0/04 with adults 25-54.

“The Girl Next Door” featured Moriarty and 48 HOURS’ investigation into the murder of Hunter Grissom in an Alabama parking lot and the case against his wife, Tracy Grissom. She maintains she shot him in self-defense after being abused. Prosecutors – and Grissom’s family – maintain she killed him in cold blood.

“Blaming Melissa” featured Erin Moriarty and 48 HOURS’ investigation into the case against Melissa Calusinksi, a day care worker who was convicted of killing a toddler in her care. During an interrogation, Calusinksi denied hurting the child dozens of times, but then confessed to throwing him down in a way that could cause the injuries described in a pathologist’s autopsy on the child. However, new evidence not included in the trial suggests the child didn’t die in the manner portrayed at trial, according to her attorney. Her legal team is fighting for a new trial.

48 HOURS: “Blaming Melissa” is produced by Gail Abbott Zimmerman. Charlotte A. Fuller is the field producer. Richard Barber is the producer-editor. Gary Winter, Atticus Brady and Alan Miller are the editors.  Suzanne Allen is the senior coordinating producer. Linda Martin is the update producer. Judy Tygard is the senior producer. Susan Zirinsky is the senior executive producer.

48 HOURS: “The Girl Next Door” is produced by Chris Young-Ritzen, Susan Mallie, Judy Rybak and Marc Goldbaum. Gary Winter, Phil Tangel, Jud Johnston and Diana Modica are the editors. Suzanne Allen is the senior coordinating producer. Kate Harrington is the update producer. Al Briganti is the executive editor. Susan Zirinsky is the senior executive producer.

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Press Contact:  Richard Huff      212-975-3328    huffr@cbsnews.com