Simon Cowell’s X Factor made its U.S. debut in September  While the ratings have been good in New York, they haven’t come close to American Idol. That is, until the finale.

The two-night finale, culminating with Melanie Amaro being crowned winner, took the top spot on WNYW/Channel 5. Nielsen says the two-hour broadcast pulled in an estimated 1 million viewers with a 5.2 rating.

The December 21 penultimate performance tied for number one.

Fox 5 News at Ten also reaped the rewards of X Factor, landing at number 16 (482,000/2.5) for the December 22 newscast.

The Christmas night version of NBC’s Sunday Night Football (Bears/Packers) scored a number three (977,000/5.0). The final half-hour of pre-game show Football Night in America tied for 10th (541,000/2.8).

ESPN’s Monday Night Football had the Steelers against the Niners. It finished fourth (779,000/4.0).

The NBA finally made its 2011-12 debut on Christmas Day, and fans showed how much they missed the game. ABC had a fifth-place (723,000/3.7) showing for the marquee matchup between the Bulls and Lakers.

More from the Top 10 after the jump.

• Sixth          WCBS    Two Broke Girls                 (609,000/3.1)
• Seventh    WCBS    Two and a Half Men         (576,000/3.0)
• *Eighth     WNBC   SNL Christmas Special   (569,000/2.9)
• *Eighth     WCBS                NCIS                          (565,000/2.9)
• *Tenth      WCBS          NCIS: L.A.                     (551,000/2.8)
• *Tenth      WABC      Modern Family             (539,000/2.8)

*tied