Why TV executives are happy right now (chart)

The top 5 highest rated new show premieres so far:

Rank / Net / Show / Adult Demo Rating / Share

#1 NBC’s The Jay Leno Show:  5.3/14
#2 FOX’s The Cleveland Show:  4.9/12
#3 CBS’ NCIS LA:  4.4/11
#3 ABC’s Cougar Town: 4.4/11
#5 ABC’s Modern Family:  4.2/11

The top 5 highest rated at the same point last year:

#1 CBS’ Worst Week: 3.8/8
#2 CBS’ The Mentalist: 3.5/9
#2 FOX’s Hole in the Wall: 3.5/10
#4 FOX’s Fringe: 3.2/9
#5 NBC’s Knight Rider: 2.5/7

All of the highest-rated new shows at this point last year were below the highest-rated top shows this year.