CBS PLACES FIRST IN VIEWERS FOR THE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE WEEK

Network Runs Adult 25-54 Streak to Three Weeks

"CSI" Is The Week's Number One Scripted Program

"Criminal Minds" Gets Closer to "Lost" In Key Demographics

In an atypical week that included the Easter holiday, CBS extended its winning streak in viewers to five weeks and to three weeks in adults 25-54, according to Nielsen ratings for the week ending April 16, week 30 of the 2005-2006 television season.

For the week in viewers CBS (11.40m) topped ABC (9.70m), FOX (9.55m) and NBC (7.99m). Season-to-date, CBS (12.62m) leads, followed by ABC (11.13m), NBC (9.86m) and FOX (9.79m).

For the week in households, CBS was +21% ahead of ABC (6.1/10), +25% ahead of FOX (5.9/10) and +40% ahead of ABC (5.3/09). Season-to-date, CBS is first in households (8.2/13), outpacing ABC by +15% (7.1/11), NBC by +28% (6.4/10) and FOX by +37% (6.0/10).

For the week in key demographics, CBS was first in adults 25-54 (4.3/11) and third in adults 18-49 (3.3/10, -0.1 behind ABC). Season-to-date, CBS is first in adults 25-54 (4.9/12) and a strong third in adults 18-49 (3.8/10, -0.2 behind FOX, -0.3 behind ABC).

� TWO AND A HALF MEN won its time period in households (9.1/14), viewers (14.05m), second in adults 25-54 (5.7/13, -0.1 behind FOX) and adults 18-49 (4.5/11).

� CSI: MIAMI won its time period in households (11.4/18), viewers (17.16m), adults 25-54 (6.9/16), adults 18-49 (5.3/14) and adults 18-34 (3.6/10).

� NCIS (R) was second in households (7.7/12), viewers (11.33m), adults 25-54 (3.4/09) and adults 18-49 (2.3/06). NCIS beat NBC and ABC combined in households (vs. 6.4/11, +20%) and viewers (vs. 9.36m, +21%), adults 25-54.

� THE UNIT was second in households (8.9/14), viewers (14.12m), adults 25-54 (5.3/12) and adults 18-49 (3.8/10). THE UNIT built on its NCIS lead by +16% in households, +25% in viewers, +56% in adults 25-54, +65% in adults 18-49 and +91% in adults 18-49.

� CRIMINAL MINDS (7.9/12, 11.76m) posted a 4.5/10 in adults 25-54 and 3.3/08 in adults 18-49. CRIMINAL MINDS finished in its closest competitive position with "Lost" in households (-1.6 rating points), adults 25-54 (-3.0) and adults 18-49 (-3.0) and second most competitive position in viewers (-3.92m, just behind last week). CRIMINAL MINDS started the season -6.5 households rating points behind "Lost", -7.3 in adults 25-54, -6.4 in adults 18-49 and -12.56m viewers.

� CSI: NY was first in households (9.4/16), viewers (14.14m), adults 25-54 (5.6/14), adults 18-49 (4.4/12) and adults 18-34 (2.7/08) -- easily topping a first run "The Evidence" and a "Law & Order" rebroadcast.

� SURVIVOR: PANAMA -- EXILE ISLAND was first in households (9.1/16), viewers (15.07m), adults 25-54 (6.4/20), adults 18-49 (5.2/17) and adults 18-34 (3.1/12).

� CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION was first in households (15.2/25), viewers (24.43m), adults 25-54 (9.9/25), adults 18-49 (7.7/22) and adults 18-34 (5.1/17). CSI: beat NBC, ABC and FOX combined in adults 25-54 (vs. 8.0/20, +24%), adults 18-49 (vs. 7.6/21, +1%) and NBC, ABC, FOX, WB and UPN combined in both households (vs. 15.0/25, +1%) and viewers (vs. 23.06m, +6%).

� WITHOUT A TRACE was first in households (12.4/21), viewers (18.62m), adults 25-54 (7.3/19), adults 18-49 (5.7/16) and adults 18-34 (3.5/12). WITHOUT A TRACE beat the return of "Commander in Chief" on ABC and an "ER" rerun combined by +31% in households (vs. 9.5/16), +32% in viewers (vs. 14.06m), +22% in adults 25-54 (vs. 6.0/15), +16% in adults 19-49 (vs. 4.9/14) and in a virtual tie in adults 18-34 (vs. 3.6/12).

CBS top programs of the week: #2 CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (an average of 24.43m viewers), #6 WITHOUT A TRACE (18.62m), #7 CSI: MIAMI (17.16m), #9 SURVIVOR: PANAMA � EXILE ISLAND (15.07m), #11 CSI: NY (14.14m), #12 THE UNIT (14.12m), #13 TWO AND A HALF MEN (14.05m), #15 COLD CASE SPECIAL (S) (13.64m), #19 CSI TUESDAY SPECIAL (R) (S) (12.48m), #25 CRIMINAL MINDS (11.76m), #26 THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE (11.42m), #27 NCIS (R) (11.33m), #29 NUMB34S (R) (10.50m) and #30 60 MINUTES SPECIAL (S) (9.69m).