'Big Bang Theory' Sees Big Growth in Ratings; 'Ugly Betty'? Not So Much

CBS' 'Big Bang Theory' is the biggest ratings gainer so far this season, while ABC's 'Ugly Betty' has had the biggest drop-off, according to a report released earlier this week by media agency Horizon Media.

Hitting its stride in season 3 while running behind another Chuck Lorre-created comedy, 'Two and a Half Men,' 'Big Bang' has seen its season average in the all-important adults 18-49 demographic increase nearly 36 percent this season, the report says.

'Ugly Betty,' meanwhile, has seen its adult demo rating suffer mightily this season, largely stemming from the show's shift to Fridays at 9PM, where it has been routinely creamed by CBS' 'Medium' and encore runs of Fox's 'House.' 'Betty' has experienced a 46 percent drop among adults 18-49 -- the demographic that networks sell advertising against -- but just got a reprieve, with ABC electing to move it to Wednesdays at 10PM, replacing 'Eastwick.'CBS' 'Big Bang Theory' is the biggest ratings gainer so far this season, while ABC's 'Ugly Betty' has had the biggest drop-off, according to a report released earlier this week by media agency Horizon Media.

Hitting its stride in season 3 while running behind another Chuck Lorre-created comedy, 'Two and a Half Men,' 'Big Bang' has seen its season average in the all-important adults 18-49 demographic increase nearly 36 percent this season, the report says.

'Ugly Betty,' meanwhile, has seen its adult demo rating suffer mightily this season, largely stemming from the show's shift to Fridays at 9PM, where it has been routinely creamed by CBS' 'Medium' and encore runs of Fox's 'House.' 'Betty' has experienced a 46 percent drop among adults 18-49 -- the demographic that networks sell advertising against -- but just got a reprieve, with ABC electing to move it to Wednesdays at 10PM, replacing 'Eastwick.'

Other big decliners this year have included NBC's 'Heroes,' which is down 35 percent on Monday nights as it circles the drain of non-renewal. Meanwhile, on the ultra-competitive Thursday-night schedule, 'Fringe' ( down 33 percent), 'CSI' (down 23 percent) and '30 Rock' (down 21 percent) are also experiencing lean seasons.

Conversely, besides 'Big Bang Theory,' ABC's 'Private Practice' (up 27 percent), NBC's 'Biggest Loser' (up 21 percent), CBS' 'NCIS' (up 15 percent) and 'House' (up 13 percent) have shown the biggest ratings upticks this fall in terms of adult demo.

The Horizon study also tracked shows based on median viewer age. ABC's 'Supernanny' aged up a remarkable six years this season, with its median age now standing at 52.9 years old. Also getting older were NBC's 'Law & Order: SVU' (added five years to a median age of 52.1), 'Fringe' (also added five years to 47.5) and 'One Tree Hill' (added four years to 29.3).

Shows bucking this trend and actually getting a year younger each included CBS' 'Amazing Race' (49.8) and 'Survivor' (48.4), and 'Private Practice' (47.4).