CBS Wins Thursday in Viewers and Key Demographics

CBS won Thursday in viewers and key demographics, according to Nielsen preliminary live plus same day ratings for Thursday, Dec. 8. If the current ratings hold, THE MENTALIST will hit season highs in viewers and adults 18-49 and freshman drama PERSON OF INTEREST will deliver its largest audience ever and best adult 18-49 rating since its premiere.

NOTE: In Pittsburgh, the NFL Network's coverage of Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers aired on the CBS affiliate. CBS ratings are tentative and could change.

THE BIG BANG THEORY was first in households (8.8/14), viewers (14.42m), adults 25-54 (5.9/16), adults 18-49 (4.7/14) and adults 18-34 (3.1/14).

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT was first in households (6.7/11), adults 25-54 (4.5/11), second in viewers (10.96m) and adults 18-49 (3.2/09, -0.1 behind FOX).

PERSON OF INTEREST was first in households (8.4/13), viewers (13.43m), adults 25-54 (4.2/10) and adults 18-49 (3.0/08). Compared to the last first-run episode (on Nov. 17), PERSON OF INTEREST was up +18% in households (from 7.1/11), +14% in adults 25-54 (from 3.7/08), +15% in adults 18-49 (from 2.6/07) and added +1.78m viewers (from 11.65m, +15%).

THE MENTALIST was first in households (8.7/14), viewers (13.75m), adults 25-54 (4.0/10) and adults 18-49 (3.0/08). Compared to the last first-run episode (on Nov. 17), THE MENTALIST was up +14% in both households (from 7.6/13) and adults 25-54 (from 3.5/09), +20% in adults 18-49 (from 2.5/07) and added +1.54m viewers (from 12.21m, +13%).

For the night, CBS was first in households (8.3/13), viewers (13.29m), adults 25-54 (4.5/11) and adults 18-49 (3.3/09).