Slipping 'Big Bang Theory' Gives Up Most-Watched Title (Sort Of)

Yes, it's true that ratings for last week's episode of The Big Bang Theory slipped a little bit. And it's true that NBC's hit This Is Us edged past the sitcom in the key ratings demographic for the week. But Big Bang is not experiencing anything like a real ratings slide, and the sitcom still holds the title of network TV's most-watched scripted show in live viewing among younger viewers.

The episode of Big Bang that aired on February 16 earned a 3.9 rating (including three days of delayed viewing) in the 18-49 age demographic, while the episode of This Is Us that aired in the same week pulled down a 4.2 rating. That was the first time that the NBC drama moved ahead of Big Bang among younger viewers. It looks like the surging This Is Us might have finally triumphed over the somewhat stagnant Big Bang.

But there are other ways to look at the numbers. Big Bang still outpaces This Is Us in same-day ratings; in the week in question, Big Bang earned a 2.8 same-day rating, while This Is Us earned a 2.4.

In terms of total viewers, neither series is on top. During the week ending February 19, NCIS drew 15.3 million total viewers to win the week, while Big Bang came in second with 13.5 million. This Is Us came in eighth with 9 million total viewers.

And if you're looking for the series with the highest ratings among younger viewers, take a look at The Walking Dead, whose same-day ratings in the 18-49 group exceed even the live + 3 days ratings of both Big Bang and This Is Us.