The Tail Section

ABC tied for first as the most-watched television network among younger viewers during the November ratings period, as shows including “LOST” pushed the broadcaster to the No. 1 spot for the first time in more than five years.

ABC, owned by Walt Disney Co., tied with CBS in viewers aged 18-49 for the November “sweeps” period, used to set advertising prices at local TV stations. A year ago, Burbank, California-based Disney’s broadcast network tied for second.

Regaining first place caps efforts by Disney Chief Executive Officer Robert Iger and his predecessor, Michael Eisner, to rehabilitate ABC, which as recently as May 2004 was the lowest- ranked of the four major networks during sweeps. ABC placed second among all viewers in the November period behind CBS.

ABC, the only broadcast network to add viewers in the last two consecutive years, had four of the top 10-rated shows for the week of Nov. 21-27, including the No. 1 show, “Desperate Housewives.” The network’s “LOST,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Monday Night Football” programs also made the top 10. CBS had five of the most- watched programs.