TV ratings: 'Big Bang Theory' and 'American Idol' rise Thursday, 'Vampire Diaries' up too

Fast National ratings for Thursday, May 3, 2012

After a string of dreary ratings reports over the last few weeks, there was some good news Thursday.

"The Big Bang Theory," "American Idol" and "The Vampire Diaries" all improved at 8 o'clock. "The Office" and "The Mentalist" were up a little as well, while "Grey's Anatomy" and "Scandal" were pretty steady in the adults 18-49 demographic for ABC.

CBS led the night in viewers, bringing in 12.3 million people and a 7.7 rating/13 share in households. FOX (10.95 million, 6.6/11) finished second. ABC took third with 7.35 million viewers and a 5.0/8, finishing a good distance ahead of NBC (3.1 million, 2.0/3). The CW averaged 1.8 million viewers and a 1.2/2.

FOX scored a narrow win among adults 18-49, drawing a 3.0 rating to CBS' 2.8. ABC took third with a 2.1, followed by NBC, 1.4, and The CW, 0.8.

Thursday hour by hour:

8 p.m.

FOX: "American Idol" results (15.05 million viewers, 9.1/15 households)
CBS: "The Big Bang Theory" (13.6 million, 8.3/14)/"Rules of Engagement" (9 million, 5.6/9)
ABC: "Missing" (6.3 million, 4.2/7)
NBC: "Community" (3.3 million, 2.0/3)/"30 Rock" (3.1 million, 1.9/3)
The CW: "The Vampire Diaries" (2.4 million, 1.6/3)

18-49 leader: "The Big Bang Theory" (4.6)

9 p.m.

CBS: "Person of Interest" (13 million, 8.2/13)
ABC: "Grey's Anatomy" (9 million, 6.2/10)
FOX: "Touch" (6.8 million, 4.2/7)
NBC: "The Office" (4.4 million, 2.7/4)/"Parks and Recreation" (3.35 million, 2.1/3)
The CW: "The Secret Circle" (1.2 million, 0.8/1)
 
18-49 leader: "Grey's Anatomy" (3.2)

10 p.m.

CBS: "The Mentalist" (12.7 million, 8.1/13)
ABC: "Scandal" (6.8 million, 4.7/8)
NBC: "Awake" (2.1 million, 1.5/2)

18-49 leader: "The Mentalist" (2.4)

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