BY: Tim Kenneally

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) – ABC was the highest-rated network on Tuesday night, based on the strength of “The Bachelorette” finale which provided the evening’s strongest numbers, according to preliminary numbers.

While “The Bachelorette” from 8-10 p.m. and the special “The Bachelorette: After the Rose Finale” were both down sharply from last year’s finale programing, they scored the evening’s top two slots.

“Bachelorette” Finale: Ashley Picks The One

“The Bachelorette,” down 29 percent from last summer’s finale, took second place with a 2.7 rating/8 share in the adults 18-49 demographic, garnering 9.5 million viewers. “After the Rose Finale” at 10 p.m. had a similar slump versus last year, dropping 26 percent, but still grabbed the top ranking of the evening, with a 2.8/8 and 9.3 million total viewers.

Watch “After the Final Rose” Now on xfinityTV.com:

.

Fox experienced minor dips all around on Monday, with “Hell’s Kitchen” at 8 slipping 8 percent from last week with a 2.4/8 in the demographic and 5.4 million total viewers. “MasterChef” followed at 9, down 4 percent from its last original airing on July 18 with a 2.3/6 and 9.3 million total viewers.

“The Bachelorette” and Her Fiance Go Public

NBC ran repeats throughout the evening, with the exception of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” at 9, which plummeted 25 percent compared to its last original episode on July 18, with a 0.6/2 in the demographic and 3.2 million total viewers.

CBS ran repeats throughout the evening.

(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Check for restrictions at: http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp