Prime-Time TV Rankings; ABC has more than just some fancy footwork; 'Dancing With the Stars' gets some help as the network wins the week with the five most-watched shows.

ABC was the most-watched network for the third time in the season's 10 weeks -- and not just because of the final two "Dancing With the Stars" episodes of the fall, according to figures released Tuesday by Nielsen Media Research.

ABC had each of the five most-watched prime-time programs between Nov. 26 and Sunday, averaging 12.45 million viewers for the week, its largest weekly audience since the week of Nov. 13, 2006, outside of Academy Awards week in February.

The premiere of the animated holiday special "Shrek the Halls" was third for the week, behind the two "Dancing With the Stars" episodes, with 20.83 million viewers, making it the most-watched animated holiday special since the Nov. 28, 1995, airing of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" on CBS.

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas," which followed, was fifth for the week with 18.53 million viewers, as the 41-year-old animated special increased its viewership by 69% over last year's 10.96 million.

The final "Dancing With the Stars" results show was the second-most-watched prime-time program of the season, despite a 10% drop in viewership from last fall's finale, with an average of 24.87 million viewers tuning in Nov. 27 to watch race-car driver Helio Castroneves be announced as the winner.

Only the season premiere of CBS' "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" on Sept. 27 drew more viewers this season -- 25.22 million. A year ago, however, the "Dancing With the Stars" finale averaged 27.52 million as retired football star Emmitt Smith was named the winner.

One reason for the decline was that "Dancing's" opening hour had tougher competition this year, facing Fox's "House," which was seventh for the week with 16.96 million viewers.

Despite a series-low 11.69 million viewers, the ABC comedy "Samantha Who" extended its streak of being the most-watched new series for every...