Ratings: Big Bang Hits Season High, Vampire Diaries Draws Biggest Crowd Since January

By Matt Webb Mitovich
The Big Bang Theory Ratings “The Extract Obliteration” -- Sheldon’s relationship with Stephen Hawking is threatened over a game of “Words with Friends,” and Penny secretly enrolls in a class at the local college, on THE BIG BANG THEORY, Thursday, Nov. 1 (8:00 – 8:31 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Pictured left to right: Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar Photo: Michael Yarish/Warner Bros. ©2012 Warner Bros. Television. All Rights Reserved.

The Big Bang Theory RatingsBarring any deflation after a San Diego football preemption is factored out, The Big Bang Theory ticked up a tenth this week to a 5.1 demo rating, which would mark a season high.

In total audience, the CBS hitcom was steady at 15.7 million viewers.

UPDATE: Big Bang in fact improved to a 5.2 rating per the Nielsen finals, clinching that season high.

Fleshing out CBS' night, Two and a Half Men (12.6 mil/3.6) was flat, Person of Interest (13.5 mil/3.0) ticked up a tenth in the demo and Elementary (10.5 mil/2.4) rose 9 percent.

Trailing Big Bang, ABC's coverage of the CMA Awards drew Thursday's second-largest audience (13.6 million) and rating (with a 3.8), albeit with all-time lows for the kudoscast.

Elsewhere:

* The X Factor results show did 6.2 mil and a 2.3, down 15 percent from Wednesday night and placing third in all ours.

RELATED | The X Factor Top 16 Results Recap: Did the Right Acts Go Home?

* The Vampire Diaries rose 10 and 15 percent to 3.2 mil and a 1.5 — its best tallies since the season opener — while Beauty and the Beast held steady with 1.7 mil/0.6. UPDATE: TVD's final audience of 3.3 mil marks its best draw since 1/5/12.

RELATED | Vampire Diaries Recap: Saving Elena Gilbert...?What were you tuned into this Thursday night?

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