"THE UNIT," THE SEASON'S NUMBER ONE NEW SHOW, BUILDS ON ITS IMPRESSIVE "NCIS" LEAD-IN BY DOUBLE DIGIT PERCENTAGES IN KEY DEMOGRAPHICS

"NCIS" Is A Solid Second Behind "American Idol"

Rebroadcast of "Criminal Minds" Places First in its Time Period and Retains Significant Portion of its First Run Audience

THE UNIT, the season's Number One new series, built upon its impressive NCIS lead-in by double digit percentages in key demographics, according to preliminary Nielsen affiliate ratings for Tuesday, April 18.

THE UNIT was second in households (9.6/14), viewers (15.39m), adults 25-54 (5.8/13) and adults 18-49 (4.3/10). THE UNIT built on its NCIS lead-in by +19% in adults 18-49 and +18% in adults 25-54.

NCIS was a solid second in households (9.9/16), viewers (15.56m), adults 25-54 (4.9/12) and adults 18-49 (3.6/10) opposite "American Idol." Compared to the last first run episode (4/4/06), NCIS was up +3% in adults 18-49 and even in both viewers and adults 25-54.

A third broadcast of a CRIMINAL MINDS episode was first in households (7.2/12), viewers (11.19m), adults 25-54 (4.7/11) and tied for first in adults 18-49 (3.3/09, with NBC). Compared to the original airing (10/19/05), this broadcast retained 98% of the adults 25-54 ratings delivery, 85% of both households and adults 18-49 and 87% of viewers. Compared to the first rebroadcast (12/29/05), this broadcast improved the adults 25-54 (+12%) and adults 18-49 (+3%) performances and retained 95% of the household and 98% of viewer performances.

For the night, CBS was second in households (8.9/14), viewers (14.04m), adults 25-54 (5.1/12) and adults 18-49 (3.7/10).

Final Tuesday ratings will be available this afternoon.

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

"THE UNIT," THE SEASON'S NUMBER ONE NEW SHOW, BUILDS ON ITS IMPRESSIVE "NCIS" LEAD-IN BY DOUBLE DIGIT PERCENTAGES IN KEY DEMOGRAPHICS

"NCIS" Is A Solid Second Behind "American Idol"

Rebroadcast of "Criminal Minds" Places First in its Time Period and Retains Significant Portion of its First Run Audience

THE UNIT, the season's Number One new series, built upon its impressive NCIS lead-in by double digit percentages in key demographics, according to Live Plus Same Day National Nielsen ratings for Tuesday, April 18.

THE UNIT was second in households (9.6/15), viewers (15.62m), adults 25-54 (5.8/13) and adults 18-49 (4.4/11). THE UNIT built on its NCIS lead-in by +22% in adults 18-49 and +14% in adults 25-54.

NCIS was a solid second in households (10.1/16), viewers (15.90m), adults 25-54 (5.1/13) and adults 18-49 (3.6/10) opposite "American Idol." Compared to the last first run episode (4/4/06), NCIS was up +1% in households, +2% in viewers, +4% in adults 25-54 and +3% in adults 18-49.

A third broadcast of a CRIMINAL MINDS episode was first in households (7.2/12), viewers (11.17m), adults 25-54 (4.6/11) and tied for first in adults 18-49 (3.3/09, with NBC). Compared to the original airing (10/19/05), this broadcast retained 96% of the adults 25-54 ratings delivery, 85% of both households and adults 18-49 and 87% of viewers. Compared to the first rebroadcast (12/29/05), this broadcast improved the adults 25-54 (+10%) and adults 18-49 (+3%) performances and retained 95% of the household and 98% of viewer performances.

For the night, CBS was second in households (9.0/14), viewers (14.23m), adults 25-54 (5.2/12) and adults 18-49 (3.8/10).