CBS SCORES FIRST THURSDAY WIN OF THE SEASON IN ADULTS 18-49

"The Big Bang Theory" is the Night's Top Program in Viewers and Adults 18-49

"Rules of Engagement" Also Sweeps Time Period, Besting "X-Factor" in Adults 18-49 for the First Time

"Person of Interest" and "The Mentalist" Place First in Viewers and Adults 25-54

CBS won Thursday in adults 18-49 for the first time this season, paced by THE BIG BANG THEORY and RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, both of which swept their time periods in viewers and key demographics, according to Nielsen preliminary live plus same day ratings for Nov. 17.

THE BIG BANG THEORY was first in households (8.9/14), viewers (14.83m), adults 25-54 (6.4/16), adults 18-49 (5.2/15) and adults 18-34 (3.9/13). THE BIG BANG THEORY was Thursday's #1 program in households, viewers, adults 25-54, adults 18-49 and adults 18-34.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT was first in households (6.5/10), viewers (11.04m), adults 25-54 (4.7/11) and adults 18-49 (3.6/10). Compared to last week, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT was up +2% in adults 25-54 (from 4.6/11) and +3% in adults 18-49 (from 3.5/09). RULES OF ENGAGEMENT beat "X-Factor" in adults 18-49 (3.6 vs. 3.4) for the first time and was the night's #2 program in adults 25-54 and adults 18-49, behind THE BIG BANG THEORY.

PERSON OF INTEREST was first in households (7.1/11), viewers (11.60m), adults 25-54 (3.7/08) and second in adults 18-49 (2.6/07).

THE MENTALIST was first in households (7.5/12), viewers (12.09m), adults 25-54 (3.5/08) and second in adults 18-49 (2.5/07, -0.1 behind ABC).

For the night, CBS was first in households (7.4/12), viewers (12.21m), adults 25-54 (4.2/10) and adults 18-49 (3.2/08).

Updated Thursday ratings will be available this afternoon.