If it were a television series, it would be called "Defying the Odds."

Five weeks into a new TV season, three of the four top broadcast networks have bigger prime-time audiences than they had in 2008. With cable networks flexing their muscles, digital video recorders becoming more popular and computer games cutting into free time, that's a small miracle.

No new shows burst onto the air as instant hits. But there weren't any embarrassing flameouts, either.

"There are a number of new shows that are very promising," said Marc Berman, an analyst for Media Week and publisher of "The Programming Insider." "There are seven or eight that could be around next year."

CBS is television's most popular network and, if anything, has strengthened its position. Fox is used to struggling until "American Idol" returns, but the buzzworthy "Glee" gives executives hope for a new musical franchise. While struggling NBC has seen few promising signs, its freefall appears over.

ABC is the only network down from last year, due primarily to audiences slipping away from established favorites like "Desperate Housewives," "Dancing With the Stars" and "Brothers & Sisters."

Unlike past years, "it doesn't feel like the business is totally collapsing," said Preston Beckman, Fox's scheduling chief. The veteran executive said it looked like networks had the best crop of newcomers that it's had in years.

CBS has established Tuesday as the most popular night of television, much like NBC did with its comedies and the drama "ER" in the 1990s.