CBS WEARS TWO RATINGS CROWNS

CBS was not only the most-watched network among total adults last week — a standing that it usually maintains — but it was also the most-watched among viewers 18-49, a standing that often eludes it. Nevertheless, the No. 1 show for the week remained NBC’s Sunday Night Football. The New York Giants/Dallas Cowboys matchup attracted 24.5 million viewers. But the No. 1 scripted show was CBS’s Two and a Half Men, which drew 14.7 million viewers — further validating the network’s decision to continue airing the series following its abrupt firing of Charlie Sheen. In the evening news race, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams put further distance between itself and ABC World News with Diane Sawyer. Nightly ended the week with 9.23 million viewers, while World finished with 7.88 million. Meanwhile, the CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley continued its slow climb from the ratings abyss. It attracted 6.71 million viewers. CBS finished the week with an average household rating of 6/5 and a 10 share, a relatively strong showing for the beleaguered newscast. NBC was second with an average 4.5 rating and an 8 share. ABC was third 3.9/6, while Fox pulled up the rear with an average 3.6/6.

The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research:
1. Sunday Night Football, NBC, 14.9/23; 2. Sunday Night NFL Pre-Kickoff, NBC, 10.5/16; 3. 60 Minutes, CBS, 9.4/14; 4. Two and a Half Men, CBS, 9.3/14; 5. The Big Bang Theory, CBS, 8.5/14; 6. The Mentalist, CBS, 8.3/14; 7. NCIS, CBS, 8.2/13; 8. Football Night in America Pt. 3, NBC, 8.0/13; 9. (Tie) 2 Broke Girls, CBS, 7.9/12; 9. (Tie) Mike & Molly, CBS, 7.9/12; 9. (Tie) NCIS: Los Angeles, CBS, 7.9/12; 9. (Tie) Person of Interest, CBS, 7.9/12.