"THE MENTALIST" SEES RECORD RATINGS

CBS's Freshman Hit Delivers Its Largest Audience

"The Mentalist" Wins Its Time Period in all Key Measures, Topping "Fringe" in Adults 18-49 for the Third Time in Four Weeks

"NCIS" Maintains 6th Season Momentum, Posting Its Second Biggest Viewer Delivery EVER

CBS Surges to Its Largest Tuesday Audience of the Season

Freshman hit THE MENTALIST delivered its largest audience of the season (18.77m) and beat "Fringe" in adults 18-49 for the third time in four weeks, according to Nielsen preliminary live plus same day ratings for Tuesday, Dec. 2.

THE MENTALIST won its time slot in households (11.7/18), viewers (18.77m), adults 25-54 (5.4/12) and adults 18-49 (3.8/09). Compared to last week, THE MENTALIST was up +21% in households (from 9.7/15), +8% in adults 25-54 (from 5.0/11), +3% in adults 18-49 (from 3.7/09) and added +2.84m viewers (from 15.93m, +18%). This is THE MENTALIST's best delivery in households and viewers. This is also the first time this season THE MENTALIST outdelivered its NCIS lead-in in both households and viewers.

NCIS won its time slot in households (11.6/18), viewers (18.54m), was second in adults 25-54 (5.2/13) and adults 18-49 (3.7/10). Compared to last week, NCIS was up +5% in households (from 11.1/18), +2% in adults 25-54 (from 5.1/11), +3% in adults 18-49 (from 3.6/10) and added +420,000 viewers (from 18.12m, +2%). This matches NCIS's second best household delivery to date (-0.1 behind the 10/25/05 all-time high) and is the second largest viewer delivery (about -200,000 behind 11/11/08).

WITHOUT A TRACE won its time slot in households (8.0/13), viewers (12.20m), was second in adults 25-54 (3.6/09) and adults 18-49 (2.5/07). Compared to last week, WITHOUT A TRACE was up +19% in households (from 6.7/11), +13% in adults 25-54 (from 3.2/08), even in adults 18-49 (from 2.5/07) and added +1.78m viewers (from 10.42m, +17%).

CBS won the night in households (10.4/17), viewers (16.50m), second in adults 25-54 (4.7/11, -0.1 behind FOX) and averaged 3.3/09 in adults 18-49. This is CBS's best Tuesday delivery this season in households and viewers.

Updated Tuesday ratings will be available this afternoon.