Shaq's reality series nets higher ratings

Shaq is back and his ratings are leaping higher than last summer.

The second season opener for Shaquille O'Neal's ABC reality show "Shaq Vs." (5.4 million viewers, 1.9 preliminary adults 18-49 rating) netted a better premiere rating than last year, climbing 12% and hitting a series high.

Those are still pretty soft numbers, however, and the program was down 34% from its "Wipeout" (8.8 million, 2.9) lead-in.

In their second weeks, NBC's "Breakthrough with Tony Robbins" and Fox's "Masterchef" had very different results.

"Breakthrough" (2.8 million, 0.7) could use some self help, dropping 13% from its premiere.

"Masterchef" (5.9 million, 2.7) was admirably steady with its debut. Lead-in "Hell's Kitchen" (7.1 million, 3.2) improved 10% to tie its current summer-high. Both Fox cooking shows won their respective hours.

Also, "America's Got Talent" (10.2 million, 2.8) grew 8% from last week's low.

Overall: Fox won, ABC and NBC tied for second and CBS was third.

On The CW, the good news is the debut of well-regarded Canadian sitcom "18 to Life" (937,000, 0.4) doubled the prior four-week average in the time period. The bad news is dropped from its lead-in (a "Plain Jane" repeat) and posted a tiny number.