THIS JUST IN�

�From CBS Entertainment

"CRIMINAL MINDS" FINISHES IN ITS CLOSEST COMPETITIVE POSITION TO A FIRST-RUN "LOST" IN VIEWERS AND KEY DEMOGRAPHICS

Gap Narrows as "Criminal Minds" Trails "Lost" By Less Than 3 Million Viewers For the First Time

CBS's freshman drama CRIMINAL MINDS finished in its closest competitive position to a first-run episode of "Lost" in viewers and key demographics, according preliminary Nielsen affiliate ratings for Wednesday, May 3.

CRIMINAL MINDS (8.1/12, 12.15m) trailed "Lost" by -2.88 million viewers, marking the first time it was less than three million viewers behind. CRIMINAL MINDS also finished in its best competitive position to a first run "Lost" in adults 25-54 (4.5/10 vs. 7.1/16, -2.6), adults 18-49 (3.5/08 vs.6.2/15, -2.7) and adults 18-34 (2.1/06 vs. 5.1/14, -3.0).

This is the first time CRIMINAL MINDS trailed a first-run "Lost" by less than three full rating points in both adults 18-49 and adults 25-54.

In their first head-to-head broadcast (9/28/05), CRIMINAL MINDS trailed "Lost" by -7.3 rating points in adults 25-54, -6.4 in adults 18-49, -5.5 in adults 18-34 and by -12.56m viewers.

Final Wednesday ratings will be available this afternoon.

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

THIS JUST IN�

�From CBS Entertainment

"CRIMINAL MINDS" FINISHES IN ITS CLOSEST COMPETITIVE POSITION TO A FIRST-RUN "LOST" IN VIEWERS AND KEY DEMOGRAPHICS

Gap Narrows as "Criminal Minds" Trails "Lost" By Less Than 3.5 Million Viewers For the First Time

CBS's freshman drama CRIMINAL MINDS finished in its closest competitive position to a first-run episode of "Lost" in viewers and key demographics, according to Live Plus Same Day National Nielsen ratings for Wednesday, May 3.

CRIMINAL MINDS (8.1/12, 12.17m) trailed "Lost" by -3.39 million viewers, marking the first time it was less than 3.5 million viewers behind the ABC drama. CRIMINAL MINDS also finished in its best competitive position to a first run "Lost" in adults 25-54 (4.5/10 vs. 7.4/16, -2.9), adults 18-49 (3.5/08 vs. 6.4/15, -2.9) and adults 18-34 (2.1/06 vs. 5.3/15, -3.2).

This is the first time CRIMINAL MINDS trailed a first-run "Lost" by less than three full rating points in both adults 18-49 and adults 25-54.

In their first head-to-head broadcast (9/28/05), CRIMINAL MINDS trailed "Lost" by -7.3 rating points in adults 25-54, -6.4 in adults 18-49, -5.5 in adults 18-34 and by -12.56m viewers.