TV ratings: 'Big Brother' bounces back, helps CBS lead Thursday

Fast National ratings for Thursday, Sept. 21, 2011

After dipping some a week ago, "Big Brother 13" saw its ratings improve some on Thursday, leading CBS to a win on a fairly quiet night. "So You Think You Can Dance" dipped a little bit, and ABC's lineup of originals was flat or down a little bit in adults 18-49.

CBS led the way in primetime with 6.25 million viewers and a 4.0 rating/7 share in households. ABC (5.5 million, 3.3/6) finished second, a good distance ahead of FOX (3.95 million, 2.5/4). NBC was also down a little bit with 2 million viewers and a 1.4/2. The CW brought up the rear with 856,000 viewers and a 0.6/1.

CBS averaged only a 1.7 in the 18-49 demographic, but that was good enough to snag the top spot. ABC took second at 1.5, followed by FOX at 1.2. Neither NBC (0.7) nor The CW (0.3) managed to break the 1.0 barrier.

Thursday hour by hour:

8 p.m.

ABC: "Wipeout" (6.5 million viewers, 3.6/6 households)
CBS: "The Big Bang Theory" rerun (6.3 million, 4.2/8)/"Rules of Engagement" rerun (5 million, 3.3/6)
FOX: "So You Think You Can Dance" results (5.1 million, 3.1/6)
NBC: "Community" rerun (2.1 million, 1.5/3)/"Parks and Recreation" rerun (1.9 million, 1.3/2)
The CW: "The Vampire Diaries" rerun (890,000, 0.6/1)

18-49 leader: "Wipeout" (1.8)

9 p.m.

CBS: "Big Brother 13" (6.7 million, 4.1/7)
ABC: "Expedition Impossible" (4.6 million, 2.9/5)
FOX: "Glee" rerun (2.8 million, 1.9/3)
NBC: "The Office" rerun (2.4 million, 1.6/3)/"30 Rock" rerun (2.25 million, 1.6/3)
The CW: "Plain Jane" rerun (821,000, 0.6/1)

18-49 leader: "Big Brother 13" (2.5)

10 p.m.

CBS: "The Mentalist" rerun (6.35 million, 4.1/7)
ABC: "Rookie Blue" (5.3 million, 3.5/6)
NBC: "Love Bites" finale (1.75 million, 1.3/2)

18-49 leader: "The Mentalist" (1.3)

Ratings information includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change. Source: The Nielsen Company.

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