CBS - CBS SWEEPS NIELSEN'S TOP TEN

CBS SWEEPS NIELSEN'S TOP TEN

CBS last week completely swept Nielsen Research's top-ten ratings list as the summer season officially began. NCIS , the long-running CBS drama that has regularly posted strong ratings despite airing opposite Fox's American Idol on Tuesday nights, finally landed in first place. It drew 12.5 million viewers, edging out the 2008-09 season's only new hit, CBS's The Mentalist , which attracted 12.4 million. (A special Thursday edition of NCIS also landed in the top ten with 9.6 million viewers.) A country-music special, "George Strait ACM Artist of the Decade," took third place, watched by 10.6 million viewers. Nevertheless, despite CBS's domination of the top-ten among viewers overall, Fox placed first among younger demographics, with its two editions of So You Think You Can Dance taking first and second place among adults 18-49.

The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research 1. NCIS , CBS, 8.1/13; 2. The Mentalist , CBS, 8/13; 3. "George Strait Academy of Country Music Artist of the Year," CBS, 6.8/11; 4. CSI Crime Scene Investigation, CBS, 6.7/11; 5. Without a Trace (Thursday), CBS, 6.6/12; 6. Without a Trac e (Tuesday), CBS, 6.4/11; 7. NCIS (Thursday), CBS, 6.3/11; 8. 60 Minutes, CBS, 5.9/12; 9. Criminal Minds , CBS, 5.8/10; 10. Two and a Half Men , CBS, 5.7/9.

03/06/2009