via press release:

CBS WINS THE OPENING NIGHT OF MAY SWEEP

CBS Wins Its Seventh Consecutive Thursday in Viewers and Key Demographics

“Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” Notches Best Demos Since its Premiere and is the Night’s Top Program in Adults 18-49

“CSI” and “The Mentalist” Posts Week-to-Week Increases

“The Mentalist” is Number One Program of the Night in Viewers

CBS won the opening night of May sweep in viewers and key demos as all three of the Network’s programs posted week-to-week increases, according to Nielsen live plus same day ratings for Thursday, April 29.

SURVIVOR: HEROES VS. VILLAINS was first in households (7.5/13), viewers (12.57m), adults 25-54 (5.1/15) and adults 18-49 (4.0/13).  Compared to last week, SURVIVOR was up +7% in households (from 7.0/12), +6% in adults 25-54 (from 4.8/13), +11% in adults 18-49 (from 3.6/11) and added +680,000 viewers (from 11.89m, +6%).  If the ratings hold, SURIVIVOR: HEROES AND VILLAINS posted its best deliveries in households, adults 25-54 and adults 18-49 since February 11, 2010 (the premiere of this edition), and best viewers total since March 14, 2010.  SURVIVOR: HEROES VS. VILLAINS was the night’s top program in adults 25-54 and adults 18-49.

CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION was first in households (8.5/14) and viewers (13.53m), second in adults 25-54 (4.1/11, -0.1 behind ABC) and averaged a 3.0/08 in adults 18-49.  Compared to last week, CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION was up +4% in households (from 8.2/13), +3% in adults 25-54 (from 4.0/10), +7% in adults 18-49 (from 2.8/08) and added +180,000 viewers (from 13.35m, +1%).

At 10:00 PM, THE MENTALIST was first in households (9.2/16), viewers (14.69m), adults 25-54 (4.5/12) and adults 18-49 (3.2/09).  Compared to last week, THE MENTALIST was up +2% in adults 25-54 (from 4.4/11) and +7% in adults 18-49 (from 3.0/09).  THE MENTALIST was the night’s top program in viewers

For the night, CBS was first in households (8.4/14), viewers (13.60m), adults 25-54 (4.6/12) and adults 18-49 (3.4/10).  CBS swept these measures for the seventh straight Thursday.