The promotional push from Sunday’s airing of the Super Bowl on CBS boosted the network’s comedies Monday, with “The Big Bang Theory” reaping the greatest benefit.
Leading out of a season-high for “Two and a Half Men” (17.661 million viewers, 5.7 adults 18-49 rating), “Big Bang” jumped to a whopping 6.0 rating with 16.26 million watchers, before leading into “CSI: Miami” (13.532 million, 3.9).
At 8PM, CBS’ “How I Met Your Mother” posted a solid 3.8 rating with a particularly-strong 10.001 million viewer average. “Accidentally on Purpose” was up to a 3.3 with 9.095 million.
FOX’s “House” was also strong Monday, opening the night with an impressive 5.1 rating and 13.599 million viewers. “24” climbed to a 3.3 with 10.274 million.
Over on ABC, “The Bachelor” continued its hot streak with 12.35 million viewers and a 4.1. Lead-out “Castle,” however, was down from the last original airing — it averaged 9.544 million viewers with a 2.5.
NBC’s lineup included the season–and possibly series–finale of “Heroes” (4.432 million, 2.0), a declining “Chuck” (6.596 million viewers, 2.2) and the last Monday airing of “The Jay Leno Show” (4.312 million, 1.1).
The CW, meanwhile, continued bringing up the rear. “One Tree Hill” was up slightly with a 1.1 and 2.168 million viewers, while new series “Life UneXpected” was down again to a 0.9 with 2.003 million viewers.
Ratings Sources: Nielsen Media Research, Media Week