CBS' "Big Bang Theory" won the ratings race on a Thursday night that was marked by series lows, while Fox took an overall ratings win on the strength of "American Idol," according to preliminary numbers.
Fox took first place in ratings and second in total viewers with an average 2.9 rating/8 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and 10.5 million.
"American Idol" at 8 p.m. remained steady in the demo compared to last week with a 3.9/12 and 14.4 million total viewers (the largest total viewership of the night). "Touch" the following hour dropped 10 percent in the demo from last week's low, drawing a 1.9/5 with 6.5 million total viewers.
CBS drew second place in ratings and first in total viewers with an average 2.6/7 and 11.6 million. "The Big Bang Theory" at 8 dropped 9 percent from its last original two weeks ago, hitting a season low of 4.0/13 in the demo but still grabbing the top ratings spot. "Big Bang" had 12.5 million total viewers.
"Rules of Engagement" grew 14 percent versus last week, receiving a 2.5/7 in the demo and 8.3 million total viewers. "Person of Interest" at 9 dropped 20 percent from its last original two weeks ago for a series low of 2.4/6 in the demo, with with 12.5 million total viewers. "The Mentalist" the following hour was also down, dropping 13 percent in the demo for a 2.1/6 with 11.9 million total viewers.
ABC was third in ratings and total viewers with an average 2.2/6 and 7.7 million. "Missing" at 8 inched down to demo a low of 1.3/4 with 6.9 million total viewers, while "Grey's Anatomy" the following hour received a 3.2/8 with 9.3 million total viewers. The network's new offering "Scandal" continued its modestly upward trajectory, inching up to a 2.1/6 with 7 million total viewers.
Univision came in fourth in ratings and total viewers with an average 1.5/4 in the demo and 3.7 million. "Una Familia Con Suerte" drew a 1.5/4 with 3.9 million total viewers, while "Abismo de Pasion" the following hour drew a 1.5/4 in the demo and 3.6 million total viewers. "La Que No Podia Amar" at 10:30 received a 1.5/4 in the demo and 3.6 million total viewers.
NBC took fifth place in ratings and total viewers with an average 1.4/4 and 3 million. "Community" at 8 grew 8 percent from last week for a 1.4/4 and 3.3 million total viewers, while "30 Rock" at 8:30 was also up slightly with its much-hyped live episode, receiving a 1.6/5 an 3.5 million total viewers.
"The Office" at 9 saw a minor dip from last week but still touched a series low of 2.1/6 with 4.1 million total viewers. "Parks and Recreation" at 9:30 also had a minor drop to a series low, posting a 1.6/4 with 3.2 million total viewers.
The night closed for the network with another low, with "Awake" dropping 11 percent from last week to a 0.8/2 and 2.2 million total viewers.
