March 22, 2006

ON ITS THIRD MISSION, "THE UNIT" OVERCOMES A REBROADCAST LEAD-IN AND STILL RETAINS 86% OF LAST WEEK'S ADULT 18-49 RATING AGAINST "AMERICAN IDOL"

"NCIS" Rebroadcast is a Solid Second in Viewers and Key Demos Against First-Run Competition

"The Amazing Race" Hits the Mat Second in Key Demos

The third episode of THE UNIT retained 86% of last week's adult 18-49 delivery and 85% of its viewer tally with a rebroadcast lead-in and competition from an extended "American Idol," according to preliminary Nielsen ratings for Tuesday, March 21.

THE UNIT posted a 9.7/14 with 15.27m viewers, 5.7/12 in adults 25-54 and 4.2/09 in adults 18-49 -- second behind an extended episode of FOX's "American Idol".??? Compared to last week, THE UNIT retained 85% of both viewers (from 18.07m) and adults 25-54 (from 6.7/14) and 86% of adults 18-49 (from 4.9/11). ?Note: ?Last week's episode had a first run NCIS as a lead-in. ?
A rebroadcast of NCIS was second in households (7.5/11), viewers (11.55m), adults 25-54 (3.7/08) and adults 18-49 (2.6/07) against primarily first-run competition. ?
THE AMAZING RACE delivered a 6.0/10 with 9.39m viewers, 3.0/09 in adults 18-34, 3.9/10 in adults 18-49 and 4.6/11 in adults 25-54.? THE AMAZING RACE was second in adults 25-54, adults 18-49 and adults 18-34. ??? ?
For the night, CBS was second in households (7.7/12), viewers (12.07m), adults 25-54 (4.6/10) and adults 18-49 (3.6/09) -- all behind FOX's two hours of "American Idol".

Final Tuesday ratings will be available this afternoon.

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Press Contacts: Ed Harrison                323/575-4254 ed.harrison@tvc.cbs.com
                        Jeremy Murphy   212/975-4577    jeremy.murphy@cbs.com