TV Ratings: 'Mentalist' helps CBS split Thursday with ABC

'FlashForward' holds in Week Two, joining 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Private Practice' to give ABC the key demo

By Daniel Fienberg Friday, Oct 2, 2009 11:49 AM

Simon Baker of 'The Mentalist'

Credit: CBS

Fast National ratings for Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009.

After taking a beating against "Grey's Anatomy" last week, "The Mentalist" bounced back against the premiere of "Private Practice" to help CBS win Thursday night overall. Still, with "FlashForward" holding respectably to start the night, ABC had no trouble winning Thursday night in the key demographic.

Among adults 18-49, ABC averaged a 4.7 rating, beating the 3.8 rating for CBS in the demo advertisers crave. FOX was a distant third with a 2.5 rating, followed by the 2.2 rating for NBC. The CW trailed with a 1.4 rating.

Overall, though, CBS averaged an estimated 14.17 million viewers to go with an 8.9 rating/15 share. ABC Was a close second with an 8.0/13. FOX was well back in third with a 4.7/7, with NBC's 3.4/6 taking fourth. The CW was fifth with a 1.9/3.

After falling behind ABC last week, CBS' "Survivor: Samoa" won the 8 p.m. hour with a 7.1/12. ABC's "FlashForward" was second with a 6.7/11. While "FlashForward" lost nearly 2 million viewers overall, it only fell from a 4.1 rating to a 3.7 rating in the key demo, tying with "Survivor." FOX's "Bones" was third with a 5.6/9. NBC's "Weekend Update Thursday" and "Parks and Recreation" were fourth. The CW's "Vampire Diaries" had a 2.2/4 overall and showed improvements in several of the demos the netlet prizes.

It was a tight race in the 9 p.m. hour. With a 9.8/15, "Grey's Anatomy" seemed to beat CBS' "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation." However, the CBS procedural held a slim advantage in total viewers (15.6 million vs. 15.36 million). However again, ABC had a big advantage in the 18-49 demo (6.0 rating to a 4.0 rating). NBC's "The Office" (4.3/7) and "Community" (3.4/5) were third, beating the 3.7/6 for "Fringe," which was actually up slightly from last week. The CW's "Supernatural" was steady with its season averages.

CBS won the 10 p.m. hour overall with a 9.8/17 for "The Mentalist," up from last week. ABC's "Private Practice" had a 7.6/13 and comfortably won the hour in the 18-49 demo with a 4.5 rating. NBC's "The Jay Leno Show" hit series lows in viewers, slipping slightly from last Thursday's lows.

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

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.