Network's Winning Ways Continue as Returning Series Again Exceed

Last Year's Debuts

CBS Posts Across-the-Board Wednesday Increases

"Criminal Minds" and "CSI: NY" Both Post Double Digit Percentage Gains Versus Last Year

            CBS won Wednesday in viewers, adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 as the Network's returning series continued to exceed last year's premieres, according to preliminary Nielsen live plus same day ratings for Sept. 24.

(Editor's Note:  Due to the Presidential Address, CBS's ratings are tentative and subject to change)

            In winning premiere Wednesday in all key measures for the second time in three years, CBS posted across-the-board gains compared to last year as the season premieres of CRIMINAL MINDS and CSI: NY both notched significant increases.

            CBS has now launched premiere week with Monday win in adults 18-49, a Tuesday victory in viewers and a Wednesday sweep in all key categories.

From 9:00-10:00 PM, the Presidential Speech and CRIMINAL MINDS (P) won its time slot in households (9.4/14), viewers (15.12m), adults 25-54 (5.6/13) and adults 18-49 (4.2/11).  Compared to CRIMINAL MINDS season premiere last year (on 9/26/07), CBS was up +15% in households (from 8.2/13), +24% in adults 25-54 (from 4.5/11), +20% in adults 18-49 (from 3.5/09) and added +2.41m viewers (from 12.71m, +19%). 

At 10:00 PM, CRIMINAL MINDS/CSI: NY (P) won its time slot in households (9.8/16), viewers (15.55m), adults 25-54 (5.6/14) and adults 18-49 (4.2/11).  Compared to the CSI: NY season premiere last year, CBS was up +21% in households (from 8.1/13), +22% in adults 25-54 (from 4.6/11), +14% in adults 18-49 (from 3.7/10) and added +2.80m viewers (from 12.75m, +22%). 

            The series debut of GARY UNMARRIED improved upon its NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE lead-in by 2% in viewers (6.84m from 6.70m), +3% in adults 18-49 (2.3/06 from 2.1/06) and by +7% in adults 25-54 (3.1/08 from 2.9/08).

For the night, CBS was first in households (7.9/13), viewers (12.48m), adults 25-54 (4.7/12) and adults 18-49 (3.5/10). Compared to the same night last year, CBS was up +11% in households (from 7.1/11), +18% in adults 25-54 (from 4.0/10), +3% in adults 18-49 (from 3.4/09) and added +1.45m viewers (from 11.03m, +13%).

Updated Wednesday ratings will be available this afternoon.

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Press Contacts:             Ed Harrison                323/575-4254   ed.harrison@cbs.com

                                    Jeremy Murphy            212/975-4577  jeremy.murphy@cbs.com