Nielsens: 'Big Bang Theory,' 'NCIS' score huge for CBS
BY FRAZIER MOORE Associated Press
Thursday, January 17, 2013
1/17/13 at 4:23 AM
NEW YORK - CBS can savor its most-viewed week this season with an audience far bigger than its rivals'.
Averaging 13.28 million viewers (with an 8.2 rating, 13 share), CBS beat the average weekly prime-time audience of any network this season, according to Nielsen Co. data released Tuesday.
Meanwhile, CBS scored with two scripted shows that each drew more than 20 million viewers ("NCIS" and "The Big Bang Theory," which ranked second and third for the week, respectively). It's the first time any network has accomplished that feat since CBS did it in 2007, according to that network.
For the week of Jan. 7, Fox could claim the top-rated program: the NFC Playoff game pitting the Green Bay Packers against the San Francisco 49ers. It drew nearly 31 million viewers.
NBC struck gold with "The Golden Globe Awards," which attracted 20 million viewers to rank fourth.
Two new NBC shows had modest premieres. The melodrama "Deception" ranked 46th place, and sitcom "1600 Penn" debuted in 80th place.
Overall, the week belonged to CBS, which could boast 14 of the top 20 shows.
Nielsen ratings
Prime-time viewership numbers compiled by the Nielsen Co. for Jan. 7-13. Listings include the week's ranking and viewership.
1. NFC Playoff Game: Green Bay at San Francisco, Fox, 30.89 million
2. "NCIS," CBS, 21.11 million
3. "The Big Bang Theory," CBS, 20 million
4. "Golden Globe Awards," NBC, 19.69 million
5. "NCIS: Los Angeles," CBS, 17.9 million
6. "Person of Interest," CBS, 15.67 million
7. "Two and a Half Men," CBS, 14.4 million
8. "60 Minutes," CBS, 14.05 million
9. "Modern Family," ABC, 12.04 million
10. "Elementary," CBS, 11.48 million
11. "Blue Bloods," CBS, 11.22 million
12. "Vegas," CBS, 10.71 million
13. "CSI: NY," CBS, 9.13 million
14. "The Mentalist," CBS, 10.6 million
15. "The Good Wife," CBS, 10.04 million
16. "People's Choice Awards," CBS, 9.72 million
17. "Grey's Anatomy," ABC, 9.34 million
18. "Undercover Boss," CBS, 9.09 million
19. "Castle," ABC, 8.66 million
20. "Law & Order: SVU," NBC, 8.42 million
Original Print Headline: 'NCIS,' 'Big Bang' score big for CBS
