Grey's Anatomy helped ABC ascend to second position in primetime last night, Nielsen overnight data reveals.

Season eight of the medical drama continued with 9.7m and a rating of 3.2 18-49 adults at 9pm, a rise of 10% week-on-week.

On a roll, political thriller Scandal climbed to 7.4m (2.1) in the 10pm hour. Only 8pm's Missing (7.1m/1.3) lost viewers for the Alphabet Network.

American Idol's 14.6m (3.9) was easily enough for Fox to win another Thursday night.

CBS finished third despite airing only one new show, with Rules of Engagement amusing 7.7m (2.2) at 8.30pm.

NBC had a poor night, as 8pm's Community (2.9m/1.3) and 10pm's Awake (2.7m/0.8) underperformed.

Meanwhile, 30 Rock was the exception to the rule on the Peacock Network, creeping up to 3.2m (1.5) at 8.30pm.

Swiftly returning for new episodes, The Vampire Diaries (2.2m/1.0) and The Secret Circle (1.1m/0.5) dipped over on The CW.

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'Grey's Anatomy', 'Scandal' boost ABC to second place on Thursday