Six seasons in, "The Big Bang Theory" has produced its biggest bang yet.
CBS's Thursday night slate returned after three weeks to gains all around, with "The Big Bang Theory" hitting a record- high viewership and helping to push the network to an overall victory for the night, according to preliminary numbers.
CBS grabbed a commanding first place in both the advertiser-sought 18-49 demographic with a 3.7 rating/10 share and in total viewers with 14.9 million. "The Big Bang Theory" at 8 p.m. was both the highest-rated and most-watched program of the night, growing 9 percent from three weeks ago to match a series high of 6.0/17 and setting a new record for total viewership, attracting 19 million pairs of eyeballs. "Two and a Half Men" at 8:30 was also up, climbing 12 percent for a 4.6/12 and grabbing 15.4 million total viewers. "Person of Interest" at 9 jumped 17 percent to a 3.4/9 and drew 16.1 million total viewers — also a series high — while "Elementary" enjoyed a 9 percent gain for a 2.5/7 and had 11.4 million total viewers.
Univision came in second in ratings and total viewers with a 1.7/4 and 4.2 million.
Fox grabbed third place in ratings and fourth in total viewers with a 1.1/3 and 2.9 million. The network aired consecutive episodes of Howie Mandel's hidden camera show "Mobbed," with the 8 p.m. airing posting a 1.0/3 — even with Wednesday night's episode — with 2.7 million total viewers, and the 9 p.m. episode improving slightly with a 1.2/3 and 3 million total viewers.
ABC and NBC tied for fourth in ratings with 0.8/2, with ABC taking third in total viewers with 3.3 million and NBC drawing fifth with 2.5 million. Both networks aired repeats.
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