TV ratings: 'The Secret Circle' proves a good fit with 'Vampire Diaries' Thursday

Fast National ratings for Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011

The season premiere of "The Vampire Diaries" didn't quite match its debut last year but still put up fairly solid numbers for The CW Thursday. "The Secret Circle" also opened well, holding onto basically all of its lead-in. The other networks went primarily with repeats on the last Thursday before the official start of the 2011-12 season.

CBS scored the biggest overall audience, averaging 8.05 million viewers and a 5.4 rating/9 share among households in primetime. ABC (5.55 million, 3.5/6) came in second, followed by FOX at 3.8 million and a 2.7/4. The CW (3 million, 1.9/3) edged NBC (2.7 million, 2.0/3) for fourth place.

ABC and CBS tied for the lead among adults 18-49, each drawing a 1.8 rating. The CW snagged third place with a 1.3, followed FOX, 1.0, and NBC, 0.9.

Thursday hour by hour:

8 p.m.

CBS: "The Big Bang Theory" reruns - two episodes (8.4 million viewers, 5.5/9 households)
ABC: "Wipeout" season finale (6.5 million, 4.0/7)
FOX: "Bones" rerun (3.7 million, 2.6/4)
The CW: "The Vampire Diaries" season premiere (3 million, 1.9/3)
NBC: "Community" rerun (2.2 million, 1.6/3)/"Up All Night" rerun (2.6 million, 1.9/3)

18-49 leader: "The Big Bang Theory" (2.3)

9 p.m.

CBS: "The Mentalist" rerun (7.3 million, 5.0/8)
ABC: "Wipeout" season finale (6.95 million, 4.1/6)
FOX: "Bones" rerun (3.9 million, 2.7/4)
The CW: "The Secret Circle" series premiere (3 million, 1.9/3)
NBC: "The Office" rerun (3.1 million, 2.1/3)/"Free Agents" rerun (2.4 million, 1.7/3)

18-49 leader: "Wipeout" (2.3)

10 p.m.

CBS: "The Mentalist" rerun (8.4 million, 5.7/9)
ABC: "Grey's Anatomy" rerun (3.2 million, 2.3/4)
NBC: "Law & Order: SVU" rerun (3 million, 2.2/4)

18-49 leader: "The Mentalist" (1.6)

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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