THE PENULTIMATE EPISODE OF "SURVIVOR: NICARAGUA" DELIVERS LARGEST AUDIENCE SINCE ITS SEASON PREMIERE

Two-Hour "Survivor" Finale to be Broadcast on Sunday

"Criminal Minds" and "The Defenders" Win Their Time Periods

CBS Tops Wednesday in Viewers and Key Demographics

The penultimate episode of SURVIVOR: NICARAGUA delivered its largest audience since its season premiere, leading CBS to a nightly win in viewers and key demographics, according to Nielsen preliminary live plus same day ratings for Wednesday, Dec. 15.

SURVIVOR: NICARAGUA was first in households (7.1/12), viewers (12.37m), adults 25-54 (4.8/13) and adults 18-49 (3.5/11). SURVIVOR matched its season-high household ratings and posted its largest audience since its official premiere on Sept. 22, 2010. SURVIVOR: NICARAGUA was the night's #1 program in both adults 25-54 and adults 18-49.

The special two-hour finale of SURVIVOR: NICARAGUA will be broadcast Sunday (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT), followed by the live reunion show hosted by Jeff Probst.

CRIMINAL MINDS was first in households (8.4/14), viewers (13.80m), adults 25-54 (4.5/11) and adults 18-49 (3.2/09). CRIMINAL MINDS was the night's #1 program in viewers.

THE DEFENDERS was first in households (6.4/11), viewers (10.21m) and adults 25-54 (3.0/08); it was tied for first in adults 18-49 (2.0/06, with NBC).

For the night, CBS was first in households (7.3/12), viewers (12.13m), adults 25-54 (4.1/11) and adults 18-49 (2.9/08). CBS has won all three nights so far this week in households, viewers and adults 25-54, and two of three nights in adults 18-49 (placing second on Tuesday).

Updated Wednesday ratings will be available this afternoon.