TV Ratings: CBS' scripted series edge out 'X Factor'

Fast national ratings for Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011

It was a close call, but in the end CBS landed atop the ratings heap Thursday night with their scripted line-up, with the "The Big Bang Theory,"  "Person of Interest" and "The Mentalist" doing the heavy lifting required to push past the power duo of Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul on FOX's "The X Factor."

CBS led the night in total viewers with 12.3 million (and a 7.6 rating/12 share in households), narrowly edging out FOX's 12 million (6.9/11). ABC took third place with 8.3 million viewers (5.6/9), NBC fourth at 5.2 million (3.4/5). The CW finished last with 2.3 million (1.5/2).

FOX did win the adults 18-49 demographic with a 3.8 rating. CBS followed with 3.0, ABC with 2.6 and NBC 2.1. The CW's "The Vampire Diaries" and "The Secret Circle" earned a 1.1.
Ratings hour-by-hour:

8 p.m.

CBS: "Big Bang Theory" (14.5 million, 8.7/15)/"How to be a Gentleman" (9 million, 5.5/9)
FOX: "The X Factor" (11.3 million, 6.6/11)
ABC: "Charlie's Angels" (7.2 million, 4.7/8)
NBC: "Community" (4 million, 2.6/4)/"Parks and Recreation" (4.4 million, 2.7/4)
The CW: "The Vampire Diaries" (2.7 million, 1.7/3)

18-49 leader: "Big Bang Theory"/"How to be a Gentleman" (3.8)

9 p.m.

FOX: "The X Factor" (12.6 million, 7.2/11)
CBS: "Person of Interest" (12.4 milllion, 7.7/12)
ABC: "Grey's Anatomy" (10 million, 6.6/10)
NBC: "The Office" (6.6 million, 4.0/6)/"Whitney" (5.4 million, 3.3/5)
The CW: "The Secret Circle" (2 million, 1.3/2)

18-49 leader: "The X Factor" (4.2)

10 p.m.

CBS: "The Mentalist" (12.7 million, 8.0/13)
ABC: "Private Practice" (7.9 million, 5.4/9)
NBC: "Prime Suspect" (5.6 million, 3.8/6)

18-49 leader: "Private Practice" (2.8)

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

More ratings at Zap2it: Daily, weekly and cable