CBS Is The Big 'SURVIVOR' on Thursday Nights


CBS and SURVIVOR II: THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK were the big winners in the battle with NBC and FRIENDS last Thursday evening. According to Neilsen Media Research, an estimated 29.4 million viewers watched the second episode of SURVIVOR as opposed to 21.1 million who watched FRIENDS.

SURVIVOR II also helped propel the new CBS drama series CSI to number five in the ratings, the highest rating the series has achieved so far. CSI is the most popular new drama of the season. Coupled with SURVIVOR, CBS could have finally found a way to penetrate NBCs so-called "Must See TV."

Here is the complete listing of the top ten most popular programs for the week ending February 3rd as determined by Nielsen Media Research. 1) SURVIVOR II; 2) ER; 3) FRIENDS; 4) EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND; 5) CSI; 6) WILL AND GRACE; 7) WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE (Wednesday edition); 8) SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE EXTRA; 9) WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE (Sunday edition) and 10) THE PRACTICE.

Here come the judges: Court shows continue to be popular in syndication. Here are the top five most popular court shows on the air: 1) POWER OF ATTORNEY; 2) JUDGE HATCHETT; 3) ARREST & TRAIL; 4) STREET SMARTS; 5) TO TELL THE TRUTH.

CBS shakes up its mid-season line-up: In an effort to bolster their disappointing Wednesday night line-up, CBS recently made changes to their line-up. The CBS comedy BETTE moves from 8 to 8:30 p.m. The new comedy SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS, starring Danny Nucci and Jason Bateman, will move into the 8 p.m. time slot. This could cause some controversy will some viewers as Bateman will play a gay character.

The new drama series KATE BRASHER moves to Saturdays at 9 p.m. The series stars Mary Stuart Masterson, Rhea Perlman (CHEERS) and Hector Elizondo (CHICAGO HOPE). The new CBS drama THE DISTRICT moves into the 10 p.m. time slot usually occupied by WALKER: TEXAS RANGER. The Chuck Norris series will return in April when it will begin airing their final slate of episodes.

HBO is "boss:" Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are coming television. The HBO cable network snagged filmed the final two performances of Springsteens concert at Madison Square Garden. Senior Vice President of Original Programming Nancy Geller told the Hollywood Reporter, "We worked very hard to make this happen, and Springsteen and the E-Street Band performed in-the-round during the 10-show run at the Garden. That experience, added to the fact it was shot on HDTV, makes the performance simply awesome." The Springsteen concert is scheduled to debut on April 7 at 9 p.m.

The copyright of the article CBS Is The Big 'SURVIVOR' on Thursday Nights in American Television is owned by F. Colin Kingston. Permission to republish CBS Is The Big 'SURVIVOR' on Thursday Nights in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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