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.





  [october 2026]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
    


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




[10/29/26 - 11:01 AM]
Bravo's "The Real Housewives of Orange County" Supersized Two-Part Reunion Begins Thursday, Nov. 5 at 8 P.M. ET/PT
Host Andy Cohen is joined by Vicki Gunvalson, Shannon Storms Beador, Heather Dubrow, Tamra Judge, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson, Jennifer Pedranti and Carmella Garcia for the landmark 20th season as they look back on the biggest highs, lowest lows and most unforgettable moments

[10/29/26 - 11:01 AM]
Video: AMC Global Media Debuts Trailer for New Series, "Cue the Laughs," Premiering Saturday, November 7 on IFC, AMC+ and All Reality
Hosted by comedian and actor Adam Ray, the comical clip show for grown-ups proves that the most outrageous moments in life are the ones nobody scripted, and nobody saw coming.
[10/29/26 - 10:05 AM]
MGM+ Reveals First Look at "Bosch: Start of Watch" Starring Cameron Monaghan and Omari Hardwick
The prequel debuts Sunday, January 10, 2027 with a two-episode premiere, followed by a weekly release through the finale on Sunday, February 21, 2027 on MGM+.
[10/29/26 - 10:02 AM]
BritBox Reveals Second Look at "The Other Bennet Sister" Special
Produced by Bad Wolf for BritBox North America and the BBC, production recently wrapped in Wales.
[10/29/26 - 10:01 AM]
Video: Starz Drops Pulse-Pounding Full Trailer and Key Art for Critically Acclaimed Drama "P-Valley," Premiering Friday, December 4
The third and final season will debut with a double-episode premiere on Friday, December 4, with new episodes available to stream weekly on Fridays.
[10/29/26 - 10:01 AM]
Investigation Discovery Explores the Allegations Against the Tate Brothers in an Explosive New Four-Part Documentary Event "Andrew Tate: Toxic Empire"
With a two-hour premiere, the four-part docuseries will roll out over three weeks beginning Wednesday, November 25 on ID at 9pm ET/PT.
[10/29/26 - 10:01 AM]
HBO Original Documentary "When a Witness Recants" Debuts November 17
The film premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim.
[10/29/26 - 09:31 AM]
Manny Halley's "True to the Game: Quadir's Redemption," The Fourth Installment in the Fan-Favorite Franchise, Premieres Tuesday, December 15 Exclusively on Paramount+
The trilogy follows Gena and Quadir as they try to build a life together while his ties to the drug world pull them through betrayal, loss and revenge.

[10/29/26 - 09:30 AM]
Alfred Molina and Selton Mello Join Viola Davis in New Thriller "Ascent" for Paramount+
"Ascent" is a character-driven thriller set in the dangerous world of global corporate crisis and damage control.
[10/29/26 - 09:00 AM]
Star-Studded Specials Take Center Stage This November and December on CBS!
Cozy up on the couch this holiday season with an array of CBS specials.

[10/29/26 - 08:03 AM]
ESPN Films' "Portrait of an Artist: Stephen Curry" to Stream on the ESPN App and Disney+ November 10 and to Air on ABC Sunday, November 22
Directed by Gotham Chopra, co-founder of Religion of Sports, the film offers an intimate look at four-time NBA champion and two-time MVP Stephen Curry through the lens of his historic 4,000th career three-pointer.
[10/29/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: Leo Reich Survives London One F*ck Up at a Time in Paramount+ Official Trailer for "It Gets Worse"
The six-episode comedy series from A24, created and executive produced by star Leo Reich, will premiere Friday, November 6 on Paramount+.
[10/29/26 - 08:00 AM]
BET Announces Elmiene Will Receive the New Soul Honor and Perform at the "Soul Train Awards" Airing Friday, Nov. 27 at 8:00 PM, ET/PT on BET and CBS
The New Soul Honor celebrates a rising artist whose distinctive voice and artistry are helping shape the future of R&B.
[10/29/26 - 07:31 AM]
Philomena Cunk Returns to Netflix to Take on the Movies - "Cunk on Cinema" Premieres November 15 on Netflix
Diane Morgan returns as Philomena Cunk in a new series from Charlie Brooker.

[10/29/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Primetime Preacher$" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Insiders recount how three of the '80s most powerful televangelists sold salvation through TV screens until greed, sex and egos led to a fall from grace.