Nine million viewers tuned in to watch NBC's Weakest Link on Monday night, up one million from the previous week - causing analysts to speculate that the show was now finding its place in the US TV market.

The show, now in its fourth week, suffered from a ratings slump last week due to the premiere of the movie Armageddon on rival network ABC. However, the rebound has pleased TV ratings analysts, who were concerned that the series may be axed if it lost viewers during the ratings sweeps months of May, during which advertising rates are set.

TV ratings analyst Marc Berman told the New York Post:

"If it had come down again I would have been concerned, but it seems to be finding its niche. Nine out of 10 shows premiere and then come down the second and third weeks. The fourth week is the telltale - if a show levels off then or comes up a little, it's a good sign."