'Big Bang Theory' Wins Among Younger Viewers

'Big Bang Theory' Wins Among Younger Viewers

By Lisa Horowitz, The Wrap

ABC's “Dancing With the Stars” dominated Monday night in total viewers, but CBS' on-the-rise comedy “The Big Bang Theory” was the winner in the key 18-49 demographic, according to preliminary Nielsen ratings for May 10.

ABC was the most-watched network for the second straight Monday of the May sweep with 16.5 million total viewers. CBS won the 18-49 demographic with a nightly average of 3.8/10.

GETTING FRESH: With originals of all of its comedy series for the first time in a month, CBS saw its entire Monday lineup post gains from last week, led by “Big Bang” (5.2/13, 13.6 million), Monday's top program in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and adults 25-54. “How I Met Your Mother” (3.3/10, 8.2m) was up 6 percent in 18-49 from last week. “Rules of Engagement” (3.2/9/08, 8.2m) was up 14 percent in the key demo. And “Two and a Half Men” (4.6/12, 13.8m) was second only to “Big Bang” in the key demo. “CSI Miami” (3.3/9, 11m) came along for the ride, winning its hour in the key demo and up 22 percent by that measure from last week. However, “CSI Miami” finished second at 10 to ABC's “Castle” (2.6/7, 11.4m) in total viewers.

HIGH-STEPPING: “Dancing With the Stars” (4.0/11, 18.9m) earned a 2.7/11 in 18-49 and 18 million viewers in the 8 p.m. hour and grew to a 4.3/11 and 20 million viewers in the 9 p.m. hour. It was by far the most-watched program in total viewers, wearing that crown for the eighth week in a row.

SHOWING SLIPPAGE: NBC's “Chuck” (1.9/5, 5.3m), the perennial bubble show, was flat from last week, tying its all-time low and ranking fourth in the tough 8 p.m. hour. NBC finished fourth for the night, airing a repeat “Law & Order” (1.2/3, 4.4m) at 9 and a fresh “L&O” (1.7/5,6.2m) at 10. Fox's “House” (3.6/10, 9.29m) also was down 8 percent from the previous week to its lowest-rated regular episode since its debut season. Fox's "24" (2.7/7, 8.5m) slipped a tenth as the countdown continues to the series' final episode, airing May 24.

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