CBS's "The Big Bang Theory" and "Two and a Half Men" grew slightly and took the top two ratings slots Thursday night, helping to push the network to an overall victory, according to preliminary numbers.
CBS grabbed a commanding first place in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic with a 3.1 rating/9 share and in total viewers with 13 million. "The Big Bang Theory" at 8 p.m. inched up from last week to take the night's best numbers with a 4.7/15 and 15.4 million total viewers, while "Two and a Half Men" at 8:30 — which featured a guest appearance from Miley Cyrus — grew 14 percent to a season high of 4.0/11 and took 13.6 million total viewers. The network's dramas didn't fare as well. "Person of Interest" at 9 declined slightly to a 2.8/7 and received 13.8 million total viewers, while "Elementary" also dipped, receiving a 2.3/6 and pulling 10.8 million total viewers.
ABC came in second in ratings and total viewers with a 2.4/7 and 7.7 million. The network's ailing new submarine drama "The Last Resort" at 8 showed minor improvement, inching up to a 1.7/5 and drawing 7.3 million total viewers, while "Grey's Anatomy" the following hour dropped 13 percent to a 3.3/9 and attracted 9.5 million total viewers. "Scandal" at 10 drew even with last week for a 2.0/5 and pulled 6.4 million total viewers.
Univision tied NBC for third place in ratings with a 1.4/4 and virtually tied NBC in total viewers, taking slightly more (3.53 versus 3.52) than the peacock network.
NBC's "30 Rock" at 8 drew even with last week with a 1.3/4 and drew 3.3 million total viewers, while "Up All Night" at 8:30 jumped 27 percent to a 1.4/4 and took 3.2 million total viewers. "The Office" at 9 declined slightly to hit a series low of 2.1 and received 4.3 million total viewers, while "Parks and Recreation" at 9:30 fell 16 percent to a 1.6/4 and took 3.4 million total viewers. "Rock Center With Brian Williams" declined 10 percent, taking a 0.9/3 and 3.4 million total viewers.
Due to live baseball coverage, Fox's preliminary numbers are unreliable, but the network currently holds a 1.4/4 with 3.4 million total viewers.
