The following are excerpts from a press release issued today by CBS.

CBS OPENS THE NEW SEASON WITH A BIG BANG "THE BIG BANG THEORY" PREMIERES WITH ITS LARGEST AUDIENCE EVER AND HIGHEST ADULT 18-49 RATING. "The Big Bang Theory" Builds on its Lead-In in Both Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54.

CBS launched the new season with a big bang as the third season premiere of THE BIG BANG THEORY in its new time period delivered its largest audience ever, series high ratings in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 and built on its lead-in among key demos, according to Nielsen preliminary live plus same day ratings for Monday, Sept. 21, the first night of the 2009-2010 television season.

THE BIG BANG THEORY (P) (7.8/11, 12.83m) was second in adults 25-54 (5.7/12), adults 18-49 (4.6/10) and tied for second in adults 18-34 (2.9/07). THE BIG BANG THEORY was up +37% in households (from 5.7/09), +36% in adults 25-54 (from 4.2/11), +28% in adults 18-49 (from 3.6/10), +16% in adults 18-34 (from 2.5/08) and added +3.49m viewers (from 9.34m, +37%) from its 8PM premiere last year.

This was THE BIG BANG THEORY's best delivery in viewers, adults 25-54 and adults 18-49, matched the best ever households delivery. THE BIG BANG THEORY built on its TWO AND A HALF MEN lead-in by +2% in adults 25-54, +5% in adults 18-49 and +12% in adults 18-34.