“NCIS” #1 Scripted Series for the Week

“NCIS,” “NCIS: Los Angeles” and “Criminal Minds” are the Top Three Dramas;

“Two and a Half Men” and “The Big Bang Theory” Top Two Comedies

“The Big Bang Theory” Reaches Series Record High for Thursday

Big Return for "Rules of Engagement" as the Sixth-Year Comedy Registers its  Best Fall Premiere in Viewers and Adults 18-49 Since 2007

            CBS dominated scripted programming for the week ending Oct. 23, delivering the top 5 scripted series and 12 of the top 15 in an atypical ratings week that included four primetime World Series games and other sporting events, according to Nielsen live plus same day ratings.

            NCIS was the week's number one program.  NCIS, NCIS: LOS ANGELES and CRIMINAL MINDS were the top three dramas while TWO AND A HALF MEN and THE BIG BANG THEORY were the top two comedies.

THE BIG BANG THEORY set a Thursday 8:00 PM high in viewers, adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 followed by the sixth season premiere of RULES OF ENGAGEMENT which had its best fall premiere in viewers and adults 18-49 since 2007.

            For the week in viewers:  CBS (10.96m), NBC (5.33m), ABC (8.64m) and FOX (11.92m).  Season-to-date CBS is first (12.70m) followed by FOX (9.64m), ABC (9.60m) and NBC (7.23m).

            For the week in key demographics:  CBS was second in adults 18-49 (2.6/07) and adults 25-54 (3.6/09).  Season-to-date, CBS is first in adults 25-54 (4.4/11) and second in adults 18-49 (3.3/09).

Note:  DVR penetration is at 42%, up from 38% last year. Last fall, Live+7 audiences for original entertainment series on CBS gained over 1.8 million viewers, on average, over Live+ Same Day ratings, more than any other network.  Thisseason, we expect DVR penetration to continue to increase and, as a result, we expect DVR playback audiences to grow to as well.

Note:  More detailed information to come including full show highlights and charts.

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Press Contacts:           Ed Harrison            818-655-1584       ed.harrison@cbs.com

                                  Jeremy Murphy       212-975-4577       jeremy.murphy@cbs.com