"NCIS" AND "THE UNIT" HIT SEASON HIGHS IN VIEWERS AND ADULTS 18-49

"NCIS" Is The #1 Program Of The Night In Viewers And Adults 25-54

"The Unit" Up Double-Digit Percentages in all Key Measures Versus Last Week

CBS Has Its Highest Rated Tuesday in Adults 18-49 Since Last March and Best Viewer Delivery Since May

NCIS and THE UNIT delivered season high ratings in viewers, adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 leading CBS to its highest rated Tuesday of the new season, according to Nielsen preliminary live plus same day ratings for Oct. 16.

NCIS was first in households (10.8/17), viewers (17.40m), adults 25-54 (5.6/15) and adults 18-49 (4.1/12) - all for the third consecutive week. This is NCIS's best first-run delivery in households, viewers, adults 25-54 and adults 18-49 since December 12, 2006.

Compared to last week, NCIS was up +12% in adults 25-54 (from 5.0/13), +21% in adults 18-49 (from 3.4/10) and added +1.04m viewers (from 16.36m, +6%).

THE UNIT (7.7/12, 12.27m) averaged a 4.6/11 in adults 25-54 and 3.5/09 in adults 18-49. This is THE UNIT's best households, viewers and adults 25-54 delivery since February 27, 2007 and best adults 18-49 since February 13, 2007.

Compared to last week, THE UNIT was up +12% in both households (from 6.9/11) and adults 25-54 (from 4.1/10), +17% in adults 18-49 (from 3.0/07) and added +1.24m viewers (from 11.03m, +11%).

For the night, CBS was first in households (8.1/13), viewers (12.73m), adults 25-54 (4.4/11) and tied for second in adults 18-49 (3.3/09, with ABC). This is CBS's best Tuesday delivery in both households and viewers since May 22, 2007 and best delivery in both adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 delivery since March 20, 2007.

Updated ratings will be available this afternoon.

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

FINAL: "NCIS" AND "THE UNIT" HIT SEASON HIGHS IN VIEWERS AND ADULTS 18-49

"NCIS" Is The #1 Program Of The Night In Viewers And Adults 25-54

"The Unit" Up Double-Digit Percentages in all Key Measures Versus Last WeekCBS Has Its Highest Rated Tuesday in Adults 18-49 Since Last March and Best Viewer Delivery Since May

NCIS and THE UNIT delivered season high ratings in viewers, adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 leading CBS to its highest rated Tuesday of the new season, according to Nielsen updated live plus same day ratings for Oct. 16.

NCIS was first in households (10.9/17), viewers (17.55m), adults 25-54 (5.7/15) and adults 18-49 (4.1/12) - all for the third consecutive week. This is NCIS's best first-run delivery in households, adults 25-54 and adults 18-49 since December 12, 2006 and best viewers performance since November 28, 2006. NCIS was the night's top program in both viewers and adults 25-54.

Compared to last week, NCIS was up +14% in adults 25-54 (from 5.0/13), +21% in adults 18-49 (from 3.4/10) and added +1.19m viewers (from 16.36m, +7%).

THE UNIT (7.8/12, 12.35m) averaged a 4.7/11 in adults 25-54 and 3.5/09 in adults 18-49. This is THE UNIT's best households and viewers delivery since February 6, 2007, best adults 25-54 delivery since February 27, 2007 and best adults 18-49 since February 13, 2007.

Compared to last week, THE UNIT was up +13% in households (from 6.9/11), +15% in adults 25-54 (from 4.1/10), +17% in adults 18-49 (from 3.0/07) and added +1.32m viewers (from 11.03m, +12%).

For the night, CBS was first in households (8.2/13), viewers (12.81m), adults 25-54 (4.4/11) and tied for second in adults 18-49 (3.3/09, with ABC). This is CBS's best Tuesday delivery in both households and viewers since May 22, 2007 and best delivery in both adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 delivery since March 20, 2007.