or


[09/24/08 - 10:41 AM]
CBS Wins Premiere Tuesday with Its Largest Audience on the Night Since 2001
CBS spins the numbers for Tuesday, September 23.
[via press release from CBS]

CBS WINS PREMIERE TUESDAY WITH ITS LARGEST AUDIENCE ON THE NIGHT SINCE 2001

"NCIS" Wins Time Period with Its Largest Premiere Audience Ever

"The Mentalist" Mesmerizes 15.5 Million Viewers in Strong Debut

11.4 Million Viewers Welcome "Without a Trace" to Its New Time Period

All Three Dramas Post Year-to-Year Time Period Increases in Viewers

CBS is the Only Network to Post Premiere Tuesday Year-to-Year Increases with Double Digit Percentage Gains in Viewers and Key Demos

CBS placed first in viewers on premiere Tuesday with its largest audience on the night since 2001, led by NCIS which posted its largest premiere audience ever, the strong debut of THE MENTALIST and the seventh season premiere of the relocated WITHOUT A TRACE, according to preliminary Nielsen live plus same day ratings for Sept. 23.

CBS was the only network to post year-to-year premiere Tuesday increases, notching double digit percentage gains of +24% in viewers (14.88m from 11.98m), +10% in adults 18-49 (3.3/09 from 3.0/08) and +12% in adults 25-54 (4.6/11 from 4.1/10).

At 8:00 PM, the season premiere of NCIS (P) won its time period in households (11.2/18), viewers (17.72m), finished second in adults 25-54 (5.2/13) and adults 18-49 (3.5/10). Compared to last season's premiere, NCIS was up +27% in households (from 8.8/14), +16% in adults 25-54 (from 4.5/11), +9% in adults 18-49 (from 3.2/09) while adding +3.79m viewers (from 13.93m, +27%). This is the best premiere delivery ever for NCIS in households and viewers, matches the best adults 25-54 premiere performance and is the second best premiere delivery in adults 18-49 (behind 2005).

At 9:00 PM, the series debut of THE MENTALIST (P) was second in households (9.9/15), viewers (15.55m), adults 25-54 (5.0/11) and averaged a 3.5/09 in adults 18-49. Compared to the time period premiere last year (THE UNIT), THE MENTALIST was up +48% in households (from 6.7/10), +28% in adults 25-54 (from 3.9/09), +25% in adults 18-49 (from 2.8/07) and added +4.82m viewers (from 10.73m, +45%).

The season premiere of WITHOUT A TRACE (P) was second in households (7.5/12) and viewers (11.39m), topping its incumbent time period drama, while averaging a 3.7/09 in adults 25-54 2.8/07 in adults 18-49,

For the night, CBS was first in households (9.5/15) and viewers. Updated Tuesday ratings will be available this afternoon.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: What follows is the afternoon update with the final national Nielsen ratings.]

FINAL -- CBS WINS PREMIERE TUESDAY WITH ITS LARGEST AUDIENCE ON THE NIGHT SINCE 2001

"NCIS" Wins Time Period with its Largest Premiere Audience Ever

"The Mentalist" Mesmerizes 15.6 Million Viewers in Strong Debut

11.3 Million Viewers Welcome "Without a Trace" to its New Time Period

All Three Dramas Post Year-to-Year Time Period Increases in Viewers

CBS placed first in viewers with its largest premiere week Tuesday audience since 2001, led by NCIS which posted its largest premiere audience ever, the strong debut of THE MENTALIST and the seventh season premiere of the relocated WITHOUT A TRACE, according to updated Nielsen live plus same day ratings for Sept. 23.

CBS notched double digit percentage gains of +25% in viewers (14.99m from 11.98m), +10% in adults 18-49 (3.3/09 from 3.0/08) and +15% in adults 25-54 (4.7/11 from 4.1/10).

At 8:00 PM, the season premiere of NCIS (P) won its time period in households (11.3/18), viewers (18.03m), finished second in adults 25-54 (5.3/13) and adults 18-49 (3.6/10). Compared to last season's premiere, NCIS was up +28% in households (from 8.8/14), +18% in adults 25-54 (from 4.5/11), +13% in adults 18-49 (from 3.2/09) while adding +4.10m viewers (from 13.93m, +29%). This is the best premiere delivery ever for NCIS in households, viewers and adults 25-54 and is the second best premiere delivery in adults 18-49 (behind 2005).

At 9:00 PM, the series debut of THE MENTALIST (P) was second in households (9.9/15), viewers (15.60m), adults 25-54 (5.0/11) and averaged a 3.5/09 in adults 18-49. Compared to the time period premiere last year (THE UNIT), THE MENTALIST was up +48% in households (from 6.7/10), +28% in adults 25-54 (from 3.9/09), +25% in adults 18-49 (from 2.8/07) and added +4.87m viewers (from 10.73m, +45%).

The season premiere of WITHOUT A TRACE (P) was second in households (7.4/12) and viewers (11.28m), topping its incumbent time period drama, while averaging a 3.7/09 in adults 25-54 and 2.8/07 in adults 18-49.

For the night, CBS was first in households (9.5/15) and viewers, its first premiere week Tuesday nightly win since 2004.





  [may 2026]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
     


· MENTALIST, THE (CBS)
· NCIS (CBS)
· WITHOUT A TRACE (CBS)




[05/19/26 - 12:31 PM]
Bravo's "Summer House" First-Ever Three-Part Reunion Begins Tuesday, May 26 at 8 P.M. ET/PT
Uncensored and extended versions of all three parts will be available to stream next day on Peacock.
[05/19/26 - 12:01 PM]
Video: Paramount+ Releases Official Trailer for "Devotion: Obedience or Betrayal"
All three episodes will be available to stream at launch on Tuesday, June 2.
[05/19/26 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of May 11 - "The Roast of Kevin Hart" Heats Up to No. 1 in This Week's Top 10
True crime audiences also streamed the second season of "Worst Ex Ever," which rose to the No. 2 spot on the English TV list with 8.1 million views.
[05/19/26 - 11:46 AM]
Netflix Forges Creative Partnership with Powerhouse Animation Duo Michael Jelenic and Aaron Horvath
As part of the multi-year deal, the duo will develop animated series and films exclusively for Netflix, with first-look rights for live action projects.
[05/19/26 - 11:36 AM]
Tia Mowry Returns to Lifetime to Star and Executive Produce New "Ripped from the Headlines" Thriller "Single Black Tenant" Premiering on June 27
The movie, inspired by actual events, follows a woman who begins to suspect that the home she thought would save her may ultimately destroy her.

[05/19/26 - 11:03 AM]
TNT Sports' Exclusive 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Final Coverage to Begin Thursday, May 21 on TNT, truTV & HBO Max
On the call for the entire series will be Kenny Albert, along with commentary from Eddie Olczyk and Brian Boucher, and reporting from Jackie Redmond.

[05/19/26 - 11:00 AM]
Darius Rucker to Receive the Veterans Voice Award Presented by USAA's Honor Through Action at "The 52nd American Music Awards," Live, Monday, May 25 at 8:00 PM, ET, 5:00 PM, PT on CBS
The award recognizes artists who use their platforms to make meaningful, lasting change in the lives of those who served.

[05/19/26 - 10:56 AM]
Netflix Expands Consumer Products Footprint with Strategic Confectionery and Toy Partnerships
Highlights include naming Moose Toys as the master toy partner for the upcoming animated film "Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory" and musical preschool series "Young MacDonald."

[05/19/26 - 10:01 AM]
HBO Original Documentary Series "Bring Me the Beauties: A Model Cult" Debuts June 1
The three-part documentary series chronicles Hoyt Richards, who, at 16 years old, meets an enigmatic Manhattan socialite on a Nantucket beach and is pulled into his spiritual group, Eternal Values.
[05/19/26 - 10:00 AM]
AMC Global Media Invites Fans Deeper Into the World of "The Vampire Lestat" with New Companion Series, "The Vampire Lestat: After Dark"
Hosted by writer, producer and podcast host Lizzie Bassett, the after show will take fans behind the scenes of each weekly episode of "The Vampire Lestat," featuring interviews with series cast and producers.
[05/19/26 - 09:30 AM]
Video: Starz Debuts Jaw-Dropping Trailer for Fifth and Final Season of "Power Book III: Raising Kanan" Premiering on Friday, June 12
"Power Book III: Raising Kanan" is a prequel series in the "Power" universe that explores fan-favorite character Kanan Stark's entry into the drug business and his evolution from an innocent teenager into a ruthless kingpin, influenced by his mother's manipulation and deception.
[05/19/26 - 09:18 AM]
ESPN's Exclusive Presentation of the 2026 Stanley Cup Western Conference Final Presented by Geico Takes The Ice Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN
ESPN's Western Conference Final coverage is a prelude to the network's exclusive Stanley Cup Final coverage on ABC.
[05/19/26 - 09:11 AM]
Video: "Voicemails for Isabelle" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A young woman's hilariously confessional voicemails to her late sister are unknowingly redirected to a stranger, who begins to fall in love from afar.
[05/19/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Peacock Releases Official Trailer for Season 3 of "Capture"
Don't believe everything you see.
[05/19/26 - 08:05 AM]
It's a Snoopy Summer! Apple TV Announces an All-New Slate of Peanuts Programming
Highlights include a second season of beloved musical "Camp Snoopy" to debut on Friday, June 26 and a brand new special, "Snoopy Presents: There's No Place Like Home, Snoopy," premiering on Friday, July 31.