48 HOURS Takes Top Spot in Key Demos for Saturday Night

48 HOURS: "Desperate Measures" was Saturday's #1 primetime program in households, viewers and adults 25-54, according to Nielsen live plus same day ratings for Feb. 9, 2013. 48 Hours also posted its season-high delivery in viewers, matched its season high in adults 25-54 and matched its second-best adults 18-49 delivery this season.

48 HOURS: "Desperate Measures" (10:00-11:00 PM) was first in households (4.4/08), viewers (6.26m) and adults 25-54 (1.8/05), and was second in adults 18-49 (1.2/04, -0.1 behind ABC). Compared to the same night last year, 48 Hours was up +13% in households, +6% in adults 25-54 and even in adults 18-49.

Saturday's broadcast featured Peter Van Sant and the 48 Hours team's investigation into the 2010 murders of wealthy couple Dennis Koula and his wife Merna in their La Crosse, Wis., home. When the Koulas failed to show up for work, their son Eric Headed to the family home where he found them shot dead. Police said it looked like an assassination, with the killer waiting for the couple and prepared to kill them.

Police initially had no obvious suspects. The investigation led in many directions, including a tip from a neighbor - a banker - who told police he had gotten death threats. It turns out a Google map search for his address actually points to the Koula house. Eventually, police charged Eric Koula with killing his parents, maintaining he did so because his father vowed to cut off giving him money.

"48 HOURS: Desperate Measures" is produced by Susan Mallie. Amanda Cassandra is the associate producer. George Baluzy and Mead Stone are the producer editors. Marlon Disla is the editor. Anthony Batson is the senior broadcast producer. Susan Zirinsky is the senior executive producer.

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