CBS Premiere Week Averages 8.63 Million Viewers, Up 14% Year Over Year

· Entertainment · United States

CBS opened its fall 2026 season the week of Oct. 4 with 8.63 million average viewers across platforms, up 14% from its premiere week in 2025 (the week of Oct. 12), according to Nielsen live+7 multiplatform data. The figure combines live and seven-day delayed viewing across linear and streaming, the measurement advertisers increasingly rely on as audiences spread across platforms. The network's new and returning series both contributed to the gain. The result gives CBS an early ratings lead in the new season and reinforces the value of delayed and multiplatform viewing for broadcasters negotiating advertising, since overnight linear numbers capture only part of the audience.

Why it matters：Broadcast ratings set the benchmark for ad pricing and renewal decisions, and the multiplatform gain shows how delayed viewing increasingly determines whether a network season is judged a success.

Key points

  • The data is Nielsen live+7 multiplatform viewing.
  • The comparison is with CBS's 2025 premiere week, the week of Oct. 12.
  • Both new and returning series contributed to the increase.

Sources (original reporting)

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