"THE BIG BANG THEORY" POSTS WEEK-TO-WEEK GAINS

The Thursday Premiere of "Rules of Engagement" Exceeds Last Week's Time-Period Delivery in Adults 18-49

"The Mentalist" Places First at 10 PM in Key Measures

THE BIG BANG THEORY posted week-to-week gains in viewers and key demographics, the time-period premiere of RULES OF ENGAGEMENT exceeded last week's adult 18-49 rating and THE MENTALIST was first at 10:00 PM, according to Nielsen preliminary live plus same day ratings for Thursday, Feb. 24.

THE BIG BANG THEORY was second in households (7.5/12), viewers (12.51m), adults 25-54 (5.0/13) and adults 18-49 (3.8/11). Compared to last week, THE BIG BANG THEORY was up +1% in households (from 7.4/12), +3% in adults 18-49 (from 3.7/11), even in adults 25-54 and added +100,000 viewers (from 12.41m, +1%).

The time-period premiere of RULES OF ENGAGEMENT was second in households (5.8/09), viewers (9.63m), adults 25-54 (3.7/09) and adults 18-49 (2.8/08). RULES OF ENGAGEMENT grew over the prior week's time-period performance ($#*! MY DAD SAYS season finale) in adults 18-49 (from 2.6/08, +8%).

CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION was second behind "American Idol" in households (7.7/12) and viewers (12.48m); it was tied for second in adults 25-54 (3.8/09, with ABC) and averaged a 2.7/07 in adults 18-49.

THE MENTALIST was first in households (9.0/15), viewers (14.67m), adults 25-54 (4.2/11) and adults 18-49 (2.8/08).

For the night, CBS was second in households (7.8/13), viewers (12.74m), adults 25-54 (4.1/10) and adults 18-49 (3.0/08).

Updated Thursday ratings will be available this afternoon.