Season Finale of THE BIG BANG THEORY is #1 Program in Key Demos

The season finale of THE BIG BANG THEORY was Thursday's #1 program in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54, according to Nielsen preliminary live plus same day ratings for May 10.

THE BIG BANG THEORY was first in viewers (13.30m), adults 25-54 (5.5/17), adults 18-49 (4.2/15) and adults 18-34 (2.8/11). Compared to last year's season finale (on May 19, 2011), THE BIG BANG THEORY was up +20% in adults 25-54 (from 4.6/16), +17% in adults 18-49 (from 3.6/12), even in adults 18-34 and added +2.00m viewers (from 11.30m, +18%). THE BIG BANG THEORY was the night's #1 program in adults 25-54 and adults 18-49.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT was second in households (5.4/09), viewers (8.85m), adults 25-54 (3.7/10) and adults 18-49 (2.7/09).

PERSON OF INTEREST was first in households (7.9/13) and viewers (12.69m) and second in adults 25-54 (3.7/09) and adults 18-49 (2.6/07). Compared to last week, PERSON OF INTEREST was up +4% in adults 18-49 (from 2.5/07).

THE MENTALIST was first in households (7.9/13), viewers (12.42m), adults 25-54 (3.3/08) and adults 18-49 (2.4/07).

For the night, CBS was first in households (7.5/12) and viewers (12.06m) and second in adults 25-54 (3.9/10, -0.1 behind FOX) and adults 18-49 (2.8/08, -0.1 behind FOX). In The Common 8:00-10:00 PM hours, CBS beat FOX in both adults 25-54 (4.1/11 vs. 4.0/11) and adults 18-49 (3.0/09 vs. 2.9/09).

Photo credit: Cliff Lipson/CBS