TV Ratings: CBS leads slow Monday

Jon Cryer and Charlie Sheen of 'Two and a Half Men'

Credit: CBS

Fast National ratings for Monday, Sept. 7, 2009.

On the final repeat-laden Monday before the start of the slow Fall Season roll-out, CBS won, but not with any real authority.

Among adults 18-49, CBS averaged a 1.9 rating, beating out the 1.4 rating for NBC and FOX's 1.3 rating. ABC's 0.9 rating was fourth in the key demographic, while The CW's 0.4 rating trailed.

Overall, CBS averaged an estimated 6.5 million viewers to go with a 4.2 rating/7 share, just ahead of the 4.0/7 for NBC. ABC was a distant third with a 2.8/5, nipping the 2.7/4 for FOX. The CW was last for the night with a 0.7/1.

NBC began the night in first with a 3.5/6 for "Law & Order: Criminal Intent." CBS' pair of "How I Met Your Mother" episodes finished second overall with a 3.0/5 and won the hour in the 18-49 demo with a 1.6 rating. FOX's "House" and ABC's "Castle" tied for third, beating the 0.8/1 for The CW's "One Tree Hill."

CBS moved into the lead at 9 p.m. with a 5.2/8 for "Two and a Half Men" and "The Big Bang Theory," which also averaged a 2.6 rating in the 18-49 demo (with "Big Bang" topping "Men"). NBC's second "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" was second for the hour. FOX's "Lie to Me" had a 2.7/4, just ahead of the 2.6/4 for ABC's "Castle." The CW's "Gossip Girl" was fifth with a 0.6/1.

In the 10 p.m. hour, "Dateline NBC" did a 4.5/8 to edge CBS' "CSI: Miami." ABC's "Castle" marathon concluded with a 2.9/5.

All ratings information comes from preliminary Fast National Nielsen data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are subject to change.

Daniel Fienberg
Executive Editor

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A long-time member of the TCA Board and a longer-time blogger of "American Idol," Dan Fienberg writes about TV, except for when he writes about movies or sometimes writes about the Red Sox. But never music. He would sound stupid talking about music.