or


[03/08/06 - 12:00 AM]
Nothing Covert About "The Unit" Premiere

[via press release from CBS]

NOTHING COVERT ABOUT "THE UNIT" PREMIERE

"The Unit's" 18.2 Million Viewers Makes it the Most Watched Time Period Premiere of Any New Scripted Show on Any Network This Season and the Second Highest Rated Drama Premiere in Adults 18-49

"The Unit" Delivers CBS's Best Performance in the Time Period Since May 1999

"The Unit" Builds On Its Huge "NCIS" Lead-In By Double Digit Percentages in Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54

"The Amazing Race 9" Wins Its New Time Period in Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54

CBS's premiere of THE UNIT, the new drama about a covert military team and the wives that protect their identity, delivered 18.19 million viewers making it the most watched time period premiere of any new scripted show on any network this season and the second highest rated drama premiere in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54, according to preliminary Nielsen ratings for Tuesday, March 7.

At 9:00PM, THE UNIT premiered with an 11.4/17 and 18.19m viewers, 5.1/12 in adults 18-49 and 7.0/15 in adults 25-54. This is CBS's best delivery in the time period in households and viewers with a regularly scheduled program since 5/18/99 (CBS TUESDAY MOVIE: "Joan of Arc") and best adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 delivery since 5/10/05 ("The Amazing Race 7" finale).

THE UNIT built on its NCIS lead by +4% in households, +5% in viewers, +34% in adults 18-49 and +25% in adults 25-54. THE UNIT grew in its second half-hour by +3% in households (11.6/18 from 11.3/17), +4% in viewers (18.53m from 17.84m), +10% in adults 18-49 (5.3/13 from 4.8/12) and +7% in adults 25-54 (7.2/16 from 6.7/15).

At 8:00 PM, NCIS was a strong second (to "American Idol") in households (11.0/17), viewers (17.28m), adults 25-54 (5.6/13) and adults 18-49 (3.8/10). This is NCIS's best delivery in households and viewers since 1/17/06 and best adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 delivery since 1/24/06.

THE AMAZING RACE 9 (6.1/10, 9.37m) won its time period in adults 18-49 (3.7/10) and tied for first in adults 25-54 (4.6/11).

For the night, CBS was a strong second in households (9.5/15), viewers (14.94m), adults 25-54 (5.7/13) and adults 18-49 (4.2/11).

Final Tuesday ratings will be available this afternoon.

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

NOTHING COVERT ABOUT "THE UNIT" PREMIERE

"The Unit's" 18.5 Million Viewers Makes it the Most Watched Premiere of Any New Scripted Show on Any Network This Season and the Second Highest Rated Drama Premiere in Adults 18-49

"The Unit" Delivers CBS's Best Performance in the Time Period Since May 1997

"The Unit" Builds On Its Huge "NCIS" Lead-In By Double Digit Percentages in Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54

CBS To Present an Encore Presentation of "The Unit" Premiere on Saturday, March 11, 8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT

"The Amazing Race 9" Wins Its New Time Period in Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54

CBS's premiere of THE UNIT, the new drama about a covert military team and the wives who protect their identity, delivered 18.50 million viewers making it the most watched premiere of any new scripted show on any network this season and the second highest rated drama premiere in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54, according to Live Plus Same Day National Nielsen ratings for Tuesday, March 7.

At 9:00PM, THE UNIT premiered with an 11.6/17 and 18.50m viewers, 5.1/12 in adults 18-49 and 7.0/15 in adults 25-54. This is CBS's best delivery in the time period in viewers with a regularly scheduled program since 5/13/97 (CBS TUESDAY MOVIE: "The Last Don") and the best adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 delivery since 5/10/05 ("The Amazing Race 7" finale).

THE UNIT premiered with the highest household rating for a new series on any network this season, the best viewer delivery for a scripted program on any network and is the #2 new drama on any network in both adults 18-49 and adults 25-54.

THE UNIT built on its NCIS lead by +6% in households, +8% in viewers, +34% in adults 18-49 and +27% in adults 25-54. THE UNIT grew in its second half-hour by +4% in both households (11.8/18 from 11.4/17) and viewers (18.86m from 18.15m), +10% in adults 18-49 (5.3/13 from 4.8/12) and +6% in adults 25-54 (7.2/16 from 6.8/15).

CBS will present an encore broadcast of THE UNIT premiere on Saturday, March 11 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT).

At 8:00 PM, NCIS was a strong second (to "American Idol") in households (10.9/17), viewers (17.21m), adults 25-54 (5.5/13) and adults 18-49 (3.8/10). This is NCIS's best delivery in households and viewers since 1/17/06 and best adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 delivery since 1/24/06.

THE AMAZING RACE 9 (6.1/10, 9.46m) won its time period in adults 18-49 (3.8/10) and adults 25-54 (4.7/12).

For the night, CBS was a strong second in households (9.5/15), viewers (15.06m), adults 25-54 (5.7/13) and adults 18-49 (4.2/11). This is CBS's best Tuesday delivery this season with regularly-scheduled programming in both viewers and adults 25-54, the best delivery in adult 18-49 since 12/13/05, the night of THE AMAZING RACE 8 finale.





  [march 2006]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
   


· AMAZING RACE, THE (CBS)
· AMERICAN IDOL (ABC)
· NCIS (CBS)
· UNIT, THE (CBS)





[08/29/25 - 10:46 AM]
National Geographic Documentary Films Announces Global Acquisition of Streaming Rights to Werner Herzog Documentary "Ghost Elephants" Following Venice World Premiere
The documentary will make its U.S. premiere at the Telluride Film Festival this weekend.

[08/29/25 - 10:08 AM]
"Prison Break" Turns 20: Executive Producer Dawn Olmstead Curates Episode Collections on Hulu
It's been 20 years since Michael Scofield entered Fox River State Penitentiary on a mission: break brother Lincoln out.

[08/29/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "French Lover" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When a jaded actor meets a down-on-her-luck waitress in Paris, their unexpected love story begins - but will it survive the glare of the spotlight?

[08/29/25 - 08:02 AM]
Video: Prime Video Unveils Paris Trailer and New Cast for the Final Episodes of "The Summer I Turned Pretty"
Joining the series in recurring roles are Corinna Brown, Fernando Cattori, Isaline Prevost Radeff, and Jahz Armando.

[08/29/25 - 05:43 AM]
"Sounds of Summer" - Feel-Good, Music-Packed Movie About Swedish Pop Icons Gyllene Tider Makes Exclusive US Debut Thursday, September 18, 2025 on Viaplay
Directed by Per Simonsson and named after the band's most enduring hit, "Sounds of Summer" is a breezy, very inspiring 97-minute ride that follows Gessle from small-town outsider to pop trailblazer.

[08/29/25 - 03:01 AM]
Video: "RIV4LRIES" - Official Trailer - Netflix
At a middle school in Pisa, no one has ever challenged the cool kids - until new girl Terry arrives with bold ideas and the rivalries begin.

[08/29/25 - 02:01 AM]
Video: "Love Is Blind: UK" Season 2 - The Reunion - Official Trailer - Netflix
Who's saying "I still do?" Emma and Matt host this season's couples and special guests as tea is spilled and secrets are revealed in a fiery reunion.

[08/28/25 - 02:03 PM]
Wonder Project Announces October 5 Streaming Subscription Launch Date on Prime Video and Premiere Date for "House of David" Season Two; Unveils First Look Images of the Hit Drama Series
Season Two of the biblical drama series House of David from Wonder Project and Amazon MGM Studios follows the aftermath of the battle between David and Goliath and David's rise to the throne.

[08/28/25 - 12:12 PM]
Video: "The Hospital" - A Comedy Improv Sketch Show - Premieres Wednesday, September 10
The Hospital offers a "behind-the-scenes" look at what happens when you mix improv comedy with total medical negligence.

[08/28/25 - 11:02 AM]
Shudder Launches Biggest Ever Programming Event "Season of Screams" - Featuring a Monster Lineup of New Films, Series and Live Watch Parties on Shudder TV - From September 1 Through December 31
Shudder's "Season of Screams" features highly anticipated films such as the acclaimed Dangerous Animals, a new installment in the popular "V/H/S" franchise - "V/H/S/Halloween" - and the found footage breakout hits "House on Eden" and "Hell House LLC: Lineage."

[08/28/25 - 11:01 AM]
MGM+ Greenlights "Words + Music," Inspired by the Critically Hailed Audible Original Series, Featuring Grammy Winners Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, John Legend and Alanis Morissette
"Words + Music" is set to premiere this fall on MGM+ in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.

[08/28/25 - 10:06 AM]
ESPN Unveils Deep Roster of NBA Game Commentators for 2025-26 Season
Veteran analyst Tim Legler will join ESPN's lead NBA broadcast team, which includes Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame broadcaster Mike Breen, analyst and NBA Champion Richard Jefferson and reporter Lisa Salters.

[08/28/25 - 10:05 AM]
HBO Original Two-Part Documentary "Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television" Debuts September 9
The project takes audiences on a two-part journey through the history of Black representation on television, showcasing how Black artists and creators both shaped and revolutionized the medium while confronting the systemic challenges that have often undermined their contributions.

[08/28/25 - 10:01 AM]
Video: National Geographic Documentary Films Unveils Trailer for "Lost in the Jungle," the Unbelievable Story of Four Indigenous Children Who Survived a Plane Crash in the Amazon, Ahead of World Premiere at Telluride Film Festival
For the first time ever, the four Indigenous children who survived the Colombian plane crash on May 1, 2023 - and then endured 40 days alone in the jungle - share their extraordinary story of survival, told in their own words.

[08/28/25 - 09:38 AM]
Video: Tubi Debuts Trailer for Stand-Up Comedy Special "Rel Talk" from Lil Rel Howery
"It feels amazing to bring this special to my city, my people, and now to the millions of folks watching on Tubi," said Howery.