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CBS WINS PREMIERE WEEK IN VIEWERS AND ADULTS 25-54

ONLY CBS Increases Its Audience in Both Viewers and Adults 18-49 Versus Premiere Week Last Year

  

"NCIS" Is the Number One Program of the Week

  

"NCIS: Los Angeles" Debuts as Number Two Show

  

"The Good Wife" Premieres with the Time Period's Largest Audience Since 2002

  

"60 Minutes" Clocks Its Best Premiere Since 2005

 

CBS.com Delivers its Biggest Premiere Week Number's in the Site's History

 

            CBS won the first week of the 2009-2010 season in viewers and adults 25-54 for the first time since 2006, according to Nielsen live plus same day ratings for the week ending Sept. 27, week one of the new television season.

 

            CBS was the only network to grow its premiere week audience from last year in both viewers (+4%) and adults 18-49 (+3%). 

 

          The Network's premiere week wins, with a near full slate of regularly scheduled programs, were marked by the strong returns of its crime dramas and comedies (especially THE BIG BANG THEORY with series highs in all key measures) and stellar premieres of NCIS (the No. 1 show of the week with an all time high of 20.6 million viewers), the series debut of NCIS: Los Angeles (No. 2 show of the week with 18.7 million viewers), the series debut of THE GOOD WIFE (largest time period premiere audience since 2002) and 60 MINUTES' best season premiere since 2005.

 

         On the interactive front, CBS.com enjoyed its biggest premiere week in the history of the website, posting increases across several key metrics, including visitors and streams compared to premiere week a year ago. The site saw its biggest metric increase in the amount of traffic directed from social networks, the result of a rigorous social media campaign that led up to the Fall premiere season.

 

          Compared to the same week last year, CBS.com reported increased year-over year metrics, including 24% more visitors, 173% more video streams, 138% more community activity and 548% more traffic from social networks.

 

            For the week in viewers:  CBS (11.77m), ABC (11.04m), NBC (7.56m) and FOX (7.35m). 

 

            For the week in key demographics, CBS was first in adults 25-54 (4.1/11) and a close second in adults 18-49 (3.2/09, -0.1 behind ABC).  Compared to Premiere Week in 2008, CBS was up +3% in both households and adults 18-49, +4% in viewers and even in adults 25-54.  CBS is the only network to post gains in viewers year to year and is one of only two networks up in adults 18-49 (with FOX, also up +3%). 

 

            For the week in households:  CBS (7.3/12), ahead of ABC (7.1/12), NBC (4.8/08) and FOX (4.3/07). 

 

CBS's Premiere Week Highlights:

 

 The series premiere of ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE (P) (5.6/08, 8.91m) averaged a 3.3/08 in adults 18-49 and 3.9/09 in adults 25-54. ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE retained 98% of its viewers, 95% of its adult 25-54 lead-in and 92% of its adult 18-49 lead-in.

  

 TWO AND A HALF MEN (P) (8.5/12, 13.63m) was second in adults 25-54 (5.7/12) and adults 18-49 (4.5/10). 

  

 THE BIG BANG THEORY (P) (7.9/11, 12.96m) was second in adults 25-54 (5.8/12), adults 18-49 (4.7/11) and adults 18-34 (3.0/08).  This was THE BIG BANG THEORY's best delivery in households, viewers, adults 25-54 and adults 18-49.  THE BIG BANG THEORY built on its TWO AND A HALF MEN lead-in by +2% in adults 25-54, +4% in adults 18-49 and +15% in adults 18-34.  THE BIG BANG THEORY was up +39% in households, +38% in adults 25-54, +31% in adults 18-49 and +20% in adults 18-34 from its 8PM premiere last year. 

  

 CSI: MIAMI (P) was first in households (9.0/15), viewers (14.20m), adults 25-54 (5.5/13) and adults 18-49 (4.3/11).  CSI: MIAMI beat the competition combined in adults 25-54 (5.5/13 vs. 5.2/12, +6%) and adults 18-49 (4.3/11 vs. 4.1/11, +5%) while more than doubling the audience of "The Jay Leno Show" (5.81m).  CSI: MIAMI posted its best delivery in adults 25-54 since February 2, 2009, best adults 18-49 delivery since March 9, 2009. 

 

-- Tuesday, CBS was first in households (10.9/17), viewers (17.65m), adults 25-54 (5.7/14) and adults 18-49 (4.1/11).  CBS won every half-hour in viewers, adults 25-54 and adults 18-49.  This was CBS's best premiere week Tuesday delivery in viewers since Sept. 21, 1993 and in both adults 25-54 and adults 18-49 since Sept. 21, 2004.  This was CBS's second consecutive premiere week Tuesday win in both households and viewers and first premiere week Tuesday win in adults 25-54 and adults 18-49 since Sept.21, 2004.  Compared to the same night last year, CBS was up +15% in households, +21% in adults 25-54 and +24% in adults 18-49.    

 

 NCIS (P) won its time slot in households (12.4/20), viewers (20.60m), adults 25-54 (6.5/17) and adults 18-49 (4.8/14).  These were series highs for NCIS in these measures.  NCIS was the night's #1 program in households, viewers, adults 25-54 and adults 18-49. 

  

 NCIS: LOS ANGELES (P) was first in households (11.3/17), viewers (18.73m), adults 25-54 (6.1/14) and adults 18-49 (4.4/11).  This was CBS's best premiere delivery in this time period in viewers since September 17, 1991 ("CBS Tuesday Movie:  Coming to America") and in adults 25-54 and adults 18-49 since March 7, 2006 ("The Unit"). 

  

 THE GOOD WIFE (P)  was first in households (9.2/16), viewers (13.71m), adults 25-54 (4.4/11) and adults 18-49 (3.1/08).  This was the time period's best premiere delivery in both households and viewers since Oct. 2, 2002 ("Judging Amy") and in key demos since Sept. 19, 2006. 

 

-- Wednesday, CBS was first in households (7.8/13), viewers (12.64m), adults 25-54 (4.5/12) and adults 18-49 (3.6/10) for the second consecutive night. 

 

 THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE (P) (4.6/08, 7.17m) posted its best delivery in adults 25-54 (2.8/08) since March 18, 2009 and in adults 18-49 (2.2/07) since Nov. 19, 2008. 

 

 GARY UNMARRIED (P) (4.3/07, 6.85m) scored its best delivery in viewers and adults 25-54 (2.9/08) since Apr. 8, 2009 and in adults 18-49 (2.3/07) since Mar. 11, 2009. 

 

 CRIMINAL MINDS (P) was first in households (9.6/15), viewers (15.84m), adults 25-54 (5.6/14) and adults 18-49 (4.4/12).  This was the best delivery for CRIMINAL MINDS in households since December 17, 2008, in both viewers and adults 25-54 since November 19, 2008 and in adults 18-49 since last year's season premiere on September 24, 2008.  CRIMINAL MINDS was the night's #1 program in viewers, adults 18-49 (tied) and adults 25-54. 

 

 CSI: NY (P) was first in households (9.2/16), viewers (15.06m), adults 25-54 (5.0/13) and adults 18-49 (4.0/11).  CSI: NY posted its best delivery in both households and adults 25-54 since Nov. 19, 2008, in viewers and adults 18-49 since Oct. 8, 2008. 

 

 SURVIVOR: SAMOA (P) was second in households (6.7/11), viewers (11.66m), adults 25-54 (4.6/12) and adults 18-49 (3.7/11).  Compared to last week's broadcast, SURVIVOR: SAMOA was up +3% in adults 18-49 (from 3.6/11), even in adults 25-54 and matched last week's viewers total. 

  

 CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (P) was second in households (9.7/15), viewers (16.01m), adults 25-54 (5.4/13) and adults 18-49 (4.1/10).  Compared to last year's finale (on May 14, 2009), CSI: was up +4% in households (from 9.3/15), +15% in adults 25-54 (from 4.7/11), +17% in adults 18-49 (from 3.5/09) and added +1.17m viewers (from 14.84m, +8%). 

  

 THE MENTALIST (P) was second in households (9.5/16), viewers (15.07m), adults 25-54 (4.8/12) and adults 18-49 (3.6/10).  Compared to last year's premiere (on Tuesday September 23, 2008 at 9PM), THE MENTALIST was up +3% in adults 18-49 (from 3.5/09).  Compared to the time period premiere last year ("Eleventh Hour" on October 9, 2008), THE MENTALIST was up +32% in households (from 7.2/12), +17% in adults 25-54 (from 4.1/10), +13% in adults 18-49 (from 3.2/09) and added +3.67m viewers (from 11.40m, +32%). 

 

-- Friday, CBS was first in households (5.5/10), viewers (8.58m), adults 25-54 (2.8/09) and adults 18-49 (2.0/07).  CBS won every half-hour in viewers. 

 

 GHOST WHISPERER (P) was first in households (5.5/10), viewers (8.76m), adults 25-54 (3.2/10) and adults 18-49 (2.3/08). 

  

 MEDIUM (P) was first in households (5.7/10), viewers (8.87m), adults 25-54 (2.9/09) and adults 18-49 (2.1/07).  Compared to last year's time period program premiere ("The Ex List" on October 3, 2008), MEDIUM was up +24% in households (from 4.6/08), +12% in adults 25-54 (from 2.6/07), +5% in adults 18-49 (from 2.0/07) and added +2.07m viewers (from 6.80m, +30%). 

  

 NUMB3RS (P) was first in households (5.3/10) and viewers (8.10m).

 

 48 HOURS MYSTERY (P) was first in households (4.5/08), second in viewers (6.54m, -0.18m behind ABC), adults 25-54 (1.9/05) and adults 18-49 (1.4/04).  48 HOURS MYSTERY was the night's #1 program in both households and viewers.

 

 60 MINUTES (P) (7:14-8:14PM) delivered a 9.6/17 with 14.88m viewers, 4.2/11 in adults 25-54 and 3.2/09 in adults 18-49.  In the 7:00-8:00PM time slot, 60 MINUTES was first in these measures.  This was 60 MINUTES best premiere delivery since the start of the 2005-06 television season in households, viewers, adults 25-54 and adults 18-49.    

  

 THE AMAZING RACE 15 (P) (8:14-10:14PM) posted a 6.2/10 with 10.40m viewers, 4.1/09 in adults 25-54, 3.4/08 in adults 18-49 and 2.2/06 in adults 18-49.  This was the best premiere delivery for THE AMAZING RACE since THE AMAZING RACE 12 on Nov. 4, 2007 in households, viewers, adults 25-54 and adults 18-49. 

  

            CBS top programs of the week:  #1 NCIS (P) (an average of 20.60m viewers), #2 NCIS: LOS ANGELES (P) (18.73m), #7 CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (P) (16.01m), #8 CRIMINAL MINDS (P) (15.84m), #11 THE MENTALIST (P) (15.07m), #12 CSI: NY (P) (15.06m), #13 60 MINUTES (P) (14.88m), #14 CSI: MIAMI (P) (14.20m), #15 THE GOOD WIFE (P) (13.71m), #17 TWO AND A HALF MEN (P) (13.63m), #19 THE BIG BANG THEORY (P) (12.96m), #22 SURVIVOR: SAMOA (P) (11.66m) and #25 THE AMAZING RACE 15 (P) (10.40m).

 

 

Prime averages are based on the following hours of rated broadcasts in Week #1:

 

CBS - 22 hours

NBC - 21.5 hours

ABC - 22 hours

FOX - 15 hours

 

NATIONAL NIELSEN SUMMARY - PRIMETIME                                                                                    

Week #1 of 2009-10 Season (ending: 9/27/09)                                                                                               

                                                                                               

                        2009-10                       2008-09                                  

HOUSEHOLDS                                                                                             

                        Rtg       Sh                    Rtg       Sh                    Chg

CBS                 7.3       12                    7.1       12                    +3%

NBC                4.8       8                      5.2       8                      -8%

ABC                7.1       12                    7.8       13                    -9%

FOX                4.3       7                      4.6       7                      -7%

                                                                                                                                               

VIEWERS                                                                                          

                        (000)                            (000)                            Chg

CBS                 11,771                         11,274                         +4%

NBC                7,561                           8,325                           -9%

ABC                11,039                         12,276                         -10%

FOX                7,349                           7,509                           -2%

                                                                                                                                   

A25-54                                                                                               

                        Rtg       Sh                    Rtg       Sh                    Chg

CBS                 4.1       11                    4.1       10                    n.c.

NBC                3.0       8                      3.6       9                      -17%

ABC                4.0       10                    4.5       11                    -11%

FOX                3.2       8                      3.2       8                      n.c.

                                                                                                                                               

A18-49                                                                                               

                        Rtg       Sh                    Rtg       Sh                    Chg

CBS                 3.2       9                      3.1       8                      +3%

NBC                2.7       8                      3.3       9                      -18%

ABC                3.3       9                      3.8       10                    -13%

FOX                3.1       9                      3.0       8                      +3%

                                                                                               

                                                                                               

A18-34                                                                                               

                        Rtg       Sh                    Rtg       Sh                    Chg

CBS                 2.0       6                      1.9       6                      +5%

NBC                2.3       7                      3.1       10                    -26%

ABC                2.6       8                      3.1       9                      -16%

FOX                3.1       10                    2.9       9                      +7%

 

                                               

National Nielsen Rank for Demographic: PER2+    for    9/21/2009  -  9/27/2009                                            

 

                                                                                                            Persons 2+ (000)

1.         NCIS                                                                           (P)       CBS     20600

2.         NCIS: LOS ANGELES                                               (P)       CBS     18730

3.         Dancing With The Stars                                                (P)       ABC    17794

4.         NBC Sunday Night Football           Colts vs Cardinals               NBC    17469

5.         House                                                                          (P)       FOX    17156

6.         Grey's Anatomy-Thursday 9PM                                   (P)       ABC    17034

7.         CSI                                                                              (P)       CBS     16009

8.         CRIMINAL MINDS                                                   (P)       CBS     15841

9.         Dancing With The Stars-9/22                                        (S)       ABC    15367

10.       Dancing With The Stars Result Special              (S)       ABC    15356

11.       THE MENTALIST                                                      (P)       CBS     15067

12.       CSI: NY                                                                      (P)       CBS     15062

13.       60 MINUTES                                                              (P)       CBS     14884

14.       CSI: MIAMI                                                                (P)       CBS     14195

15.       THE GOOD WIFE                                                      (P)       CBS     13714

16.       Desperate Housewives                                     (P)       ABC    13643

17.       TWO AND A HALF MEN                                         (P)       CBS     13629

18.       Sunday Night NFL Pre-Kick                                                    NBC    13347

19.       THE BIG BANG THEORY                                         (P)       CBS     12956

20.       Modern Family                                                 (P)       ABC    12605

                                               

 

National Nielsen Rank for Demographic: A25-54    for    9/21/2009  -  9/27/2009

 

 

                                                                                                Adults 25-54 Rating

1.         House                                                                          (P)       FOX    7.3

1.         NBC Sunday Night Football           Colts vs Cardinals               NBC    7.3

1.         Grey's Anatomy-Thursday 9PM                                   (P)       ABC    7.3

4.         NCIS                                                                           (P)       CBS     6.5

5.         NCIS: LOS ANGELES                                               (P)       CBS     6.1

6.         THE BIG BANG THEORY                                         (P)       CBS     5.8

7.         TWO AND A HALF MEN                                         (P)       CBS     5.7

7.         Desperate Housewives                                     (P)       ABC    5.7

9.         CRIMINAL MINDS                                                   (P)       CBS     5.6

10.       Sunday Night NFL Pre-Kick                                                    NBC    5.5

10.       CSI: MIAMI                                                                (P)       CBS     5.5

12.       CSI                                                                              (P)       CBS     5.4

13.       Dancing With The Stars                                                (P)       ABC    5.3

14.       Cougar Town                                                               (P)       ABC    5.1

15.       Modern Family                                                 (P)       ABC    5.0

15.       CSI: NY                                                                      (P)       CBS     5.0

17.       The MENTALIST                                                        (P)       CBS     4.8

17.       Flashforward                                                                (P)       ABC    4.8

19.       Dancing With The Stars-9/22                                        (S)       ABC    4.7

20.       SURVIVOR: SAMOA                                                (P)       CBS     4.6

                                               

National Nielsen Rank for Demographic: A18-49    for    9/21/2009  -  9/27/2009                                           

                                                                                                            Adults 18-49 Rating

1.         NBC Sunday Night Football           Colts vs Cardinals               NBC    6.8

2.         House                                                                          (P)       FOX    6.7

2.         Grey's Anatomy-Thursday 9PM                                   (P)       ABC    6.7

4.         Family Guy                                                                   (P)       FOX    5.2

5.         Cleveland                                                                     (P)       FOX    4.9

5.         Sunday Night NFL Pre-Kick                                                    NBC    4.9

7.         NCIS                                                                           (P)       CBS     4.8

8.         Desperate Housewives                                     (P)       ABC    4.7

8.         THE BIG BANG THEORY                                         (P)       CBS     4.7

10.       TWO AND A HALF MEN                                         (P)       CBS     4.5

11.       NCIS: LOS ANGELES                                               (P)       CBS     4.4

11.       Cougar Town                                                               (P)       ABC    4.4

11.       CRIMINAL MINDS                                                   (P)       CBS     4.4

14.       CSI: MIAMI                                                                (P)       CBS     4.3

14.       Simpsons                                                                      (P)       FOX    4.3

16.       Modern Family                                                 (P)       ABC    4.2

17.       CSI                                                                              (P)       CBS     4.1

17.       Dancing With The Stars                                                (P)       ABC    4.1

17.       CSI: NY                                                                      (P)       CBS     4.1

20.       Flashforward                                                                (P)       ABC    4.0

 

*  *  *

 

Press Contacts:            

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

Kabi Jorgensen            212-975-4305             kabi.jorgensen@cbs.com

 

 

 

 

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