THE SEASON FINALE OF "THE BIG BANG THEORY" IS THURSDAY'S #1 PROGRAM IN ADULTS 18-49 AND ADULTS 25-54

"Person of Interest" Wins in Viewers

"The Mentalist" Sweeps Time Period in Viewers and Key Demos

CBS Places First on Thursday in Viewers

The season finale of THE BIG BANG THEORY was Thursday's #1 program in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54, according to Nielsen preliminary live plus same day ratings for May 10.

THE BIG BANG THEORY was first in viewers (13.30m), adults 25-54 (5.5/17), adults 18-49 (4.2/15) and adults 18-34 (2.8/11). Compared to last year's season finale (on May 19, 2011), THE BIG BANG THEORY was up +20% in adults 25-54 (from 4.6/16), +17% in adults 18-49 (from 3.6/12), even in adults 18-34 and added +2.00m viewers (from 11.30m, +18%). THE BIG BANG THEORY was the night's #1 program in adults 25-54 and adults 18-49.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT was second in households (5.4/09), viewers (8.85m), adults 25-54 (3.7/10) and adults 18-49 (2.7/09).

PERSON OF INTEREST was first in households (7.9/13) and viewers (12.69m) and second in adults 25-54 (3.7/09) and adults 18-49 (2.6/07). Compared to last week, PERSON OF INTEREST was up +4% in adults 18-49 (from 2.5/07).

THE MENTALIST was first in households (7.9/13), viewers (12.42m), adults 25-54 (3.3/08) and adults 18-49 (2.4/07).

For the night, CBS was first in households (7.5/12) and viewers (12.06m) and second in adults 25-54 (3.9/10, -0.1 behind FOX) and adults 18-49 (2.8/08, -0.1 behind FOX). In the common 8:00-10:00 PM hours, CBS beat FOX in both adults 25-54 (4.1/11 vs. 4.0/11) and adults 18-49 (3.0/09 vs. 2.9/09).

Updated Thursday ratings will be available this afternoon.