"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" Wins in Viewers and Key Demos

"Criminal Minds" is Wednesday's #1 Program in Viewers

          SURVIVOR posted growth for the second straight week, sweeping its time period in viewers and key demographics while topping "American Idol" in the common hour for the first time, according to Nielsen preliminary live plus same day ratings for Wednesday, March 12.

Note:  CBS had preemptions/delays in 2.4% of the US due to ACC and SEC basketball from 8:00-9:00 PM.  Ratings for CBS are tentative and subject to change.

At 8:00 PM, SURVIVOR was first in viewers (9.86m), adults 25-54 (3.5/10) and adults 18-49 (2.5/08).  Compared to last week, SURVIVOR was up +6% in adults 25-54 (from 3.3/09), +4% in adults 18-49 (from 2.4/08) and added +280,000 viewers (from 9.58m, +3%).  If the ratings hold, SURVIVOR topped "American Idol Wednesday" in their common hour for the first time ever in viewers and key demos.

At 9:00 PM, CRIMINAL MINDS was first in viewers (10.72m), second in adults 25-54 (3.3/08, -0.1 behind FOX) and averaged 2.3/07 in adults 18-49.   In their common hour, CRIMINAL MINDS topped "American Idol Wednesday" in viewers for the third consecutive head to head match up and was the night's #1 program in viewers.

At 10:00 PM, CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION was first in viewers (10.00m), adults 25-54 (2.8/08) and adults 18-49 (2.0/06).  Compared to last week, CSI was up +17% in adults 25-54 (from 2.4/06), +18% in adults 18-49 (from 1.7/05) and added +710,000 viewers (from 9.29m, +8%).

For the night, CBSwas first in viewers (10.19m), tied for first in adults 25-54 (3.2/09, with FOX) and second in adults 18-49 (2.3/07, -0.1 behind FOX). 

Updated Wednesday ratings will be available later today.

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

                                    David Pepose          212-975-1929      david.pepose@cbs.com