NEW YORK -- Despite -- or maybe because of -- the Janet Jackson breast-baring fallout, the Grammys were seen by 26.3 million viewers, making Sunday night's awards show the third-most watched Grammy telecast of the last 10 years.

It was the most for the music industry's showcase since 26.6 million watched in 2001, Nielsen Media Research said Tuesday.

CBS executives were seen jumping for joy.

"This is the best thing we could've hoped for," said one unidentified representative. "Despite the initial horror of seeing Janet's breast we regrouped and decided how can we turn this into a positive for us?"

The executive also had a suggestion for viewers disappointed in a skin-less Grammy ceremony.

"Those viewers can always turn to ABC. They display Dennis Franz's ass each week."