60 MINUTES is Number One Non-Sports Program for the Week

60 MINUTES was the # 1 non-sports program for the week. The CBS News magazine drew a season-best 14.55 million viewers to land at # 3, according to Nielsen live plus same day ratings for Sunday, Dec. 16. It was ninth time in 12 weeks that 60 MINUTES made the Top 10 -- six times at # 5 or better -- and the broadcast's best delivery in viewers since March.

The CBS News magazine also made the top 10 in the key demos, scoring its season best in those metrics, too. 60 MINUTES tied at # 4 in adults 25-54 (3.4/11) and finished #6 in adults 18-49 (2.5/10).

Compared to the same night last year, 60 MINUTES was up +3 percent in adults 25-54, +4 percent in adults 18-49 and +1 percent in viewers.

Sunday's broadcast featured a report about drug companies facing major lawsuits over the opioid epidemic by Bill Whitaker and a Sharyn Alfonsi double-length story on plastic refuse in the oceans and its devastating effect on wildlife.

Bill Owens is the executive editor of 60 MINUTES, America's # 1 news program.