'NCIS' is No. 1 in the ratings

NEW YORK — The opposite of an overnight success, "NCIS" has ascended to the position of television's most popular scripted show in its seventh season.

Both weeks of this new TV season, it was the most-watched program, according to the Nielsen Co. Last week's audience of 21.4 million viewers was its largest ever.

During its first season, "NCIS" was only a moderate success, averaging 11.8 million viewers per week and ranking 26th among all programs. It took off last season.

For the week, CBS averaged 11.3 million viewers. ABC had 9.6 million, and NBC had 7.8 million. Fox had 7.6 million, but it managed to win among the advertiser-friendly 18-to-49-year-old demographic. The CW had 2.2 million.

For the week of Sept. 28-Oct. 4, the top 10 shows, their networks and viewerships: 1. "NCIS," CBS, 21.37 million; 2. NFL football: San Diego at Pittsburgh, NBC, 18.42 million; 3. "NCIS: Los Angeles," CBS, 17.4 million; 4. "Dancing With the Stars," 17.03 million; 5. "CSI," CBS, 15.94 million; 6. "The Mentalist," CBS, 15.75 million; 7. "Grey's Anatomy," ABC, 15.69 million; 8. "Sunday Night NFL Pre-Kick," NBC, 14.84 million; 9. "House," Fox, 14.71 million; 10. "Desperate Housewives," ABC, 14.64 million.