or


[05/20/09 - 10:05 AM]
CBS Wins the 2008-2009 Television Season in Viewers and Places First in Adults 25-54
CBS spins the numbers for the May sweeps period and the season to date.

[via press release from CBS]

CBS WINS THE 2008-2009 TELEVISION SEASON IN VIEWERS AND PLACES FIRST IN ADULTS 25-54

CBS Is America's Most-Watched Network for the 6th Time in the Last 7 Years

CBS Is the Only Network To Post Yearly Gains in all Key Measures

"The Mentalist" Is Season's Only New Breakout Hit

In Season Six, "NCIS" Climbs to the #2 Drama of the Season (Only Behind "CSI")

CBS Has 7 of the Top 10 Dramas

CBS Dominates Comedy with Its #1 Monday Block

18 New and Returning Programs Post Time Period Increases in Adults 18-49 and in Adults 25-54

CBS Has More Time Period Winning Programs Than all the Other Networks Combined

CBS Wins the Monday-Friday 10:00 PM Time Period in Viewers, Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54 Leading into Affiliate Late Local News

CBS Tops May Sweep in Viewers for the Seventh Consecutive Year

With one night remaining, CBS will win the 2008-2009 television season in viewers, its sixth victory in the past seven years, and also place first in adults 25-54 (projected tie with FOX), according to Nielsen most current ratings through Sunday, May 17.

On the strength of its new and returning comedies and dramas, as well as the continued success of its two reality staples, CBS is the ONLY network to post ratings gains over last season in all key measures: +12% in viewers, +3% in adults 18-49 and +8% in adults 25-54.

CBS also jumped from third to #1 in women 25-54 (4.6/11 from 4.3/10, +7%) and is the only network up in women 18-49 (3.5/09 from 3.3/09, +6%).

2008-2009 TELEVISION SEASON

(September 22, 2008-May 17, 2009)

08-09 07-08 % Change

Persons 2+

CBS 11.75m 10.52m +12%

NBC 7.88m 8.14m -3%

ABC 8.93m 9.25m -3%

FOX 9.70m 11.13m -13%

Adults 18-49

CBS 3.1/08 3.0/08 +3%

NBC 2.8/08 2.8/08 nc

ABC 2.9/08 3.0/08 -3%

FOX 3.6/10 4.2/10 -14%

Adults 25-54

CBS 4.1/10 3.8/09 +8%

NBC 3.2/08 3.3/08 -3%

ABC 3.4/08 3.6/09 -6%

FOX 4.1/10 4.6/11 -11%

CBS had the season's #1 drama/scripted program-CSI; #1 comedy-TWO AND A HALF MEN, #1 new series-THE MENTALIST and the #1 news magazine-60 MINUTES.

CBS dominated the season's rankings in both drama and comedy. The Network has seven of the Top 10 dramas-CSI (#1), NCIS (#2), THE MENTALIST (#3), CRIMINAL MINDS (#5), CSI: MIAMI (#7), CSI: NY (#9) and WITHOUT A TRACE (#10), all of which registered year-to-year gains and/or improved the time period.

Among comedies, CBS had five of the top six comedies-TWO AND A HALF MEN (#1), RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (#2), THE BIG BANG THEORY (#4), WORST WEEK (#5) and HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (#6).

CBS has 18 new and returning programs that have posted time period increases in adults 18-49 and in adults 25-54 vs. last year.

Among other CBS season highlights:

�More time period-winning programs than all the other networks combined in viewers (13) and more than any other network in adults 25-54 (10) and adults 18-49 (8).

�Four of the Top 10 programs of the season: CSI (#4), NCIS (#5), THE MENTALIST (#6) and TWO AND A HALF MEN (#10) and 11 of the Top 20.

�#1 in viewers on 3 nights (Thursday, Friday and Sunday) and #1 in A18-49 and A25-54 on 3 nights (Monday, Thursday and Friday).

�The #1 new series of the season-THE MENTALIST

�Every comedy in CBS's #1 comedy block posted year-to-year increases: THE BIG BANG THEORY (+19% in viewers, +12% in A18-49); HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (+15% in viewers, +18% in A18-49); TWO AND A HALF MEN (+10% in viewers, +6% in A18-49) and RULES OF ENGAGMENT (+5% in viewers and +2% in A18-49).

�In its sixth season, NCIS was up +26% in viewers and +27% in A18-49 and ranked as the No. 2 drama (second only to CSI).

�#1 in viewers and key demographics in the Monday-Friday 10:00 PM hour leading into affiliate late local news

�CBS won the May sweep in viewers for the 7th consecutive year and 8th in the last 9 years.

PRIMETIME

MAY 2009 SWEEP-TD: 25 DAYS

(4/23/09-5/17/09 vs. 4/24/08-5/18/08)

2009 2008 Chg

Persons 2+ (Millions)

CBS 10.64 #1 10.15 #1 +5%

NBC 6.21 #4 5.91 #4 +5%

ABC 8.57 #2 9.29 #2 -8%

FOX 8.25 #3 8.69 #3 -5%

Adults 25-54

CBS 3.5/09 #1T 3.5/09 #3 n.c.

NBC 2.4/06 #4 2.3/06 #4 +4%

ABC 3.2/08 #3 3.6/09 #1T -11%

FOX 3.5/09 #1T 3.6/10 #1T -3%

Adults 18-49

CBS 2.6/08 #2T 2.6/08 #3 n.c.

NBC 2.0/06 #4 1.9/05 #4 +5%

ABC 2.6/08 #2T 3.0/09 #2 -13%

FOX 3.0/09 #1 3.2/10 #1 -6%

Final 2008-2009 season and May sweep ratings will be released on Thursday.

IT'S OFFICIAL! CBS WINS THE 2008-2009 TELEVISION SEASON IN VIEWERS AND PLACES FIRST IN ADULTS 25-54

CBS Is America's Most-Watched Network for the 6th Time in the Last 7 Years

CBS Is the Only Network To Post Yearly Gains in All Key Measures

"The Mentalist" Is the Season's Only New Breakout Hit

In Season Six, "NCIS" Climbs to the #2 Drama of the Season (Only Behind "CSI")

CBS Has 7 of the Top 10 Dramas

CBS Dominates Comedy with Its #1 Monday Block

18 New and Returning Programs Post Time Period Increases in Adults 18-49 and in Adults 25-54

CBS Has More Time Period Winning Programs Than all the Other Networks Combined

CBS Wins the Monday-Friday 10:00 PM Time Period in Viewers, Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54 Leading into Affiliate Late Local News

CBS Tops May Sweep in Viewers for the Seventh Consecutive Year

CBS won the 2008-2009 television season in viewers, its sixth victory in the past seven years, and also placed first in adults 25-54 (tie with FOX), according to Nielsen most current ratings for the 2008-2009 television season (9/22/08-5/20/09).

On the strength of its new and returning comedies and dramas, as well as the continued success of its two reality staples, CBS is the ONLY network to post ratings gains over last season in all key measures: +11% in viewers, +3% in adults 18-49 and +8% in adults 25-54.

CBS also jumped from third to #1 in women 25-54 (4.6/11 from 4.3/10, +7%), was the only network up in women 18-49 (3.6/09 from 3.4/09, +6%) and adults 18-34 (2.1/06 from 2.0/06, +5%).

2008-2009 TELEVISION SEASON

(September 22, 2008-May 20, 2009)

08-09 07-08 % Change

Persons 2+

CBS 11.76m 10.56m +11%

NBC 7.84m 8.11m -3%

ABC 8.95m 9.28m -3%

FOX 9.80m 11.26m -13%

Adults 18-49

CBS 3.1/08 3.0/08 +3%

NBC 2.8/07 2.8/08 nc

ABC 2.9/08 3.0/08 -3%

FOX 3.6/10 4.3/10 -16%

Adults 25-54

CBS 4.1/10 3.8/09 +8%

NBC 3.2/08 3.3/08 -3%

ABC 3.4/08 3.6/09 -6%

FOX 4.1/10 4.7/11 -13%

CBS had the season's #1 drama/scripted program-CSI; #1 comedy-TWO AND A HALF MEN, #1 new series-THE MENTALIST and the #1 news magazine-60 MINUTES.

CBS dominated the season's rankings in both drama and comedy. The Network has seven of the Top 10 dramas-CSI (#1), NCIS (#2), THE MENTALIST (#3), CRIMINAL MINDS (#5), CSI: MIAMI (#7), CSI: NY (#9) and WITHOUT A TRACE (#10), all of which registered year-to-year gains and/or improved the time period.

Among comedies, CBS had five of the top six comedies-TWO AND A HALF MEN (#1), RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (#2), THE BIG BANG THEORY (#4), WORST WEEK (#5) and HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (#6).

CBS has 18 new and returning programs that have posted time period increases in adults 18-49 and in adults 25-54 vs. last year.

Among other CBS season highlights:

�More time period-winning programs than all the other networks combined in viewers (13) and more than any other network in adults 25-54 (10) and adults 18-49 (8).

�Four of the Top 10 programs of the season: CSI (#4), NCIS (#5), THE MENTALIST (#6) and TWO AND A HALF MEN (#10) and 11 of the Top 20.

�#1 in viewers on 3 nights (Thursday, Friday and Sunday) and #1 in A18-49 and A25-54 on 3 nights (Monday, Thursday and Friday).

�The #1 new series of the season-THE MENTALIST

�Every comedy in CBS's #1 comedy block posted year-to-year increases: THE BIG BANG THEORY (+19% in viewers, +12% in A18-49); HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (+15% in viewers, +18% in A18-49); TWO AND A HALF MEN (+10% in viewers, +6% in A18-49) and RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (+5% in viewers and +2% in A18-49).

�In its sixth season, NCIS was up +26% in viewers and +27% in A18-49 and ranked as the No. 2 drama (second only to CSI).

�#1 in viewers and key demographics in the Monday-Friday 10:00 PM hour leading into affiliate late local news

�CBS won the May sweep in viewers for the 7th consecutive year and 8th in the last 9 years.

PRIMETIME

MAY 2009 SWEEP: 28 DAYS - FULL SWEEP

(4/23/09-5/20/09 vs. 4/24/08-5/21/08)

2009 2008 Chg

PERSONS 2+ (Millions)

CBS 10.86 #1 10.41 #1 +4%

NBC 6.10 #4 5.85 #4 +4%

ABC 8.78 #3 9.45 #3 -7%

FOX 9.28 #2 9.97 #2 -7%

ADULTS 25-54

CBS 3.6/10 #2 3.6/09 #2T n.c.

NBC 2.4/06 #4 2.2/06 #4 +9%

ABC 3.2/09 #3 3.6/09 #2T -11%

FOX 3.9/11 #1 4.2/11 #1 -7%

ADULTS 18-49

CBS 2.7/08 #2T 2.7/08 #3 n.c.

NBC 1.9/06 #4 1.9/05 #4 n.c.

ABC 2.7/08 #2T 3.0/09 #2 -10%

FOX 3.3/10 #1 3.7/11 #1 -11%





  [may 2009]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
     


· BIG BANG THEORY, THE (CBS)
· CRIMINAL MINDS (CBS)
· CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (CBS)
· CSI: MIAMI (CBS)
· CSI: NEW YORK (CBS)
· HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (CBS)
· MENTALIST, THE (CBS)
· NCIS (CBS)
· RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (CBS)
· TWO AND A HALF MEN (CBS)
· WITHOUT A TRACE (CBS)
· WORST WEEK (CBS)





most recent ratings | view all posts
[08/20/26 - 02:11 PM]
"Lanterns" Debuts Among HBO Max's Biggest Series Premieres with 9.3M Global Viewers
The light shines bright.

[08/19/26 - 12:01 PM]
Top 10 Most-Watched Prime Original Films & Series for the Week of August 10
"Reacher," "Sterling Point," "Off Campus," "The Traitors," and "Elle" led all original series worldwide.

[08/19/26 - 10:02 AM]
2026 Little League Baseball Region Tournaments Deliver Largest Audience Since 2009
The Metro Region Championship matchup between Darien, Conn., and Bayonne, N.J., on August 14 averaged 1.2 million viewers, making it the third most-watched Little League Baseball Region Tournament game ever.

[08/19/26 - 09:31 AM]
For Third Week in a Row, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" Is the No. 1 Primetime Entertainment Program Among Total Viewers
Scoring a new season high among Total Viewers (4.41 million), the August 12 episode earned the show's best performance in over a year.

[08/18/26 - 03:05 PM]
ESPN Delivers Its Most-Watched WNBA Game Ever!
The Atlanta Dream-Indiana Fever matchup averaged 2.6 million viewers on Sunday, August 16.

[08/18/26 - 03:04 PM]
FOX Saturday Baseball Sizzles with Most-Watched MLB Telecast of the Week on Any Network
3,083,000 viewers tuned-in to FOX for a three-game slate highlighted by the Brewers' 4-1 win over the Dodgers in most of the country.

[08/18/26 - 02:43 PM]
FOX IndyCar Celebrates Viewership Win at Markham
913,000 viewers watched Andretti Global racer Marcus Ericsson cap a late-race run through the field to score the win at Markham Sunday on FOX.

[08/18/26 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of August 10 - "My Life with the Walter Boys" Lassos No. 1 in This Week's Top 10
"Conversations with a Killer: The Charles Manson Tapes" launched in the No. 2 spot on the English TV list, gathering 4.9 million views.

[08/14/26 - 01:45 PM]
ABC News Is No. 1 on Sunday Morning and Friday Night
"20/20" saw year-to-year increases in all key target demos: Total Viewers, Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49.

[08/13/26 - 03:39 PM]
ESPN Delivers Its Second Most-Watched WNBA Regular Season Game in 30 Years of Coverage!
The New York Liberty-Indiana Fever matchup averaged 2 million viewers on Tuesday, August 11.

[08/12/26 - 02:29 PM]
"Live with Kelly and Mark" Jumps to Best Audience in Three Months
"Live" has now ranked as the No. 1 talk show in syndication for 182 consecutive weeks (more than three years) across all key measures.

[08/12/26 - 12:01 PM]
Top 10 Most-Watched Prime Original Films & Series for the Week of August 3
"Sterling Point," "Ride or Die," "Off Campus," "Reacher," and "Elle" led all original series worldwide.

[08/11/26 - 02:45 PM]
FOX Saturday Baseball Delivers #1 MLB Telecast of the Week on Any Network
2,223,000 viewers tuned-in to a three-game slate that featured the White Sox's 6-3 victory over the Guardians in most of the country.

[08/11/26 - 02:43 PM]
ESPN Delivers Its 2nd Most-Watched WNBA Game Ever for the Second Consecutive Week!
The Indiana Fever-Chicago Sky matchup averaged 2.6 million viewers on ABC on Saturday, August 8.

[08/11/26 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of August 3 - "The Last House" Invites You to Stay at No. 1 in This Week's Top 10
"The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare" held the top spot on the English TV list with 10.6 million views.