CBS Claims November Sweeps Triumph

See Also: 'Ch-Ch-Changes' Episode Guide

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation last month helped CBS to secure its first November sweeps victory in all three key demographics for the first time in nearly a quarter of a century.

Although there are two nights remaining in the survey period, CBS is set to claim the number one position among total viewers with an average audience of 14.3 million, according to trade paper Daily Variety. The network is also on the verge of winning both the adults 18-49 and 25-54 demographics, with ratings of 4.5 and 5.5, respectively.

CBS has traditionally skewed older, leaving other networks to haul in the younger viewers. This November sweeps, the network posted a gain of 7 percent among adults 18-49, a change of fortune acclaimed by chairman Les Moonves as a "watershed moment". "Way back when I took this job [in 1995], I said there was no way CBS will ever win in 18-49," he said. "It was something we didn't even dream about."

The CSI franchise was a key factor in CBS's success, with the Las Vegas original's one hundredth episode, "Ch-Ch-Changes", becoming the most-watched television program of the year with an audience of 31.6 million viewers. The show's strong appeal to the young adult audience helped the network score victory in the adults 18-49 demographic on Thursday nights for the first time since 1984.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation was the number one program and drama series for the month in total viewers, with fellow CBS stablemates Everybody Loves Raymond and Survivor taking the titles of most-watched comedy and reality series, respectively. Crime dramas Without a Trace, Cold Case and NCIS all increased their year-to-year viewership.

The original news can be found in articles from Variety and the Hollywood Reporter.

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