"SURVIVOR" SWEEPS TIME PERIOD

"Survivor" Ahead of "American Idol" in Viewers; Tops "Idol" in Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54 for the Second Straight Week

"CSI" is Night's Most-Watched Program, Winning in Viewers and Key Demos

"Criminal Minds" Tops Time Period in Viewers

CBS First on Wednesday in Viewers and Adults 18-49

SURVIVOR swept its time period in viewers and key demographics, and if ratings hold, this will mark the first time it has beaten "American Idol" in viewers in their common hour and the second straight week it has won in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54, according to Nielsen preliminary live plus same day ratings for Wednesday, March 19.

At 8:00 PM, SURVIVOR was first in viewers (9.58m), adults 25-54 (3.2/09) and adults 18-49 (2.4/08). SURVIVOR topped "American Idol Wednesday" in their common hour for the first time ever in viewers and for the second straight week in key demos. SURVIVOR was the night's #1 program in adults 18-49.

At 9:00 PM, CRIMINAL MINDS was first in viewers (10.06m) and second in adults 25-54 (3.1/08, -0.1 behind FOX) and adults 18-49 (2.2/07, -0.1 behind FOX).

At 10:00 PM, CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION was first in viewers (10.09m), adults 25-54 (2.8/07) and adults 18-49 (2.0/06) and was the night's most-watched program.

For the night, CBS was first in viewers (9.91m), tied for first in adults 18-49 (2.2/07, with FOX) and second in adults 25-54 (3.0/08).

Updated Wednesday ratings will be available later today.