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The Big Bang Theory led CBS's Thursday night with an impressive 13.3 million viewers, according to early Nielsen overnight data.



'The Launch Acceleration', the sitcom's latest instalment, scored a rating of 4.6 with 18-49 adults - a comprehensive improvement on last week.

Rules of Engagement (9m/2.7), Person of Interest (13m/2.5) and The Mentalist (12.7m/2.4) also crept up, meaning the Tiffany Network won the night in total viewers.

However, the combination of American Idol (15.1m/3.9) and Touch (6.8m/2.1) held their stronghold to ensure Fox won in the all-important advertiser-friendly metered markets.

Elsewhere, Grey's Anatomy anchored ABC's schedule with 9m (3.2) at 9pm, after which Scandal grew to 6.8m (2.1). 8pm's Missing sunk to 6.3m (1.1).

Predictably, 30 Rock lost ground on its live special last week, with the show's latest episode grabbing 3.1m (1.4) at 8.30pm.

But the majority of NBC's lineup - Community (3.3m/1.4), The Office (4.4m/2.3) and Parks and Recreation (3.4m/1.7) - made gains.

Jason Isaacs's Awake slumped to a new low of 2.1m (0.7).

The Secret Circle climbed to 1.2m (0.6) in the 9pm hour for The CW, prior to which Vampire Diaries remained steady with 2.4m (1.1).