TV Ratings: 'Bones' Grows, 'Person of Interest' Matches Low

"Bones"

It was a mixed bag in the ratings on Thursday night.

CBS won the night among the advertiser-coveted demo on the strength of comedy staple The Big Bang Theory with an average rating of 3.2 in primetime. The network was easily the most-watched of the night, luring 12.2 million viewers from 8-11 p.m. The Big Bang Theory (14.8 million total viewers, 5.2 rating in adults 18-49 demographic), down slightly, continued to dominate as Thursday's most-watched and highest-rated series which boosted Rules of Engagement (11 million, 3.6) 3 percent.

While the comedies were on a high, CBS' dramas couldn't capitalize. Person of Interest (11.6 million, 2.6) dropped 4 percent from its last original two weeks ago to match a series low and The Mentalist (12.1 million, 2.5) sank 14 percent matching a low for the season.

Fox came in a close second behind CBS, averaging a 2.9 rating and 9.1 million viewers. The latest elimination episode of The X Factor (9.5 million, 3.0) dipped 9 percent. Bones grew 8 percent and was the highest-rated drama among adults 18-49, outperforming Private Practice and Person of Interest in its time period to take the 9 p.m. victory.

ABC followed with an ABC News special with outgoing Live! co-host Regis Philbin and Katie Couric (8 million, 1.5), drawing the net's biggest audience in the 8 p.m. slot since September. A two-hour intervention episode of Private Practice (7.2 million, 2.5) was down 11 percent from last week's airing.

A few of NBC's comedies improved from last week: Community (3.6 million, 1.6) rose 7 percent and Parks and Recreation (3.7 million, 2.0) improved 11 percent. The Office (5.6 million, 2.9) and Whitney (4.1 million, 1.9), meanwhile, saw 3 percent and 10 percent drops for lows. Prime Suspect (4.4 million, 1.1) matched a series low, dropping 15 percent.

The CW aired a Paul Wesley movie, Beneath the Blue (2.6 million, 0.8).

8 p.m.
CBS: The Big Bang Theory (14.8 million viewers, 5.2 rating in adults 18-49)
Fox: The X Factor (9.5 million, 3.0)
NBC: Community (3.6 million, 1.6)
ABC: 20/20 (8 million, 1.5)
The CW: Beneath the Blue (2.6 million, 0.8)

8:30 p.m.
CBS: Rules of Engagement (11 million, 3.6)
NBC: Parks and Recreation (3.7 million, 2.0)

9 p.m.
NBC: The Office (5.6 million, 2.9)
Fox: Bones (8.8 million, 2.8)
CBS: Person of Interest (11.6 million, 2.6)
ABC: Private Practice (7.2 million, 2.5)

9:30 p.m.
NBC: Whitney (4.1 million, 1.9)

10 p.m.
CBS: The Mentalist (12.1 million, 2.5)
NBC: Prime Suspect (4.4 million, 1.1)