CBS's "NCIS" and "NCIS: LA" dropped to season lows Tuesday night, while its freshman drama "Vegas" dipped to a series low. Meanwhile, NBC took an overall ratings win on the strength of "The Voice," according to preliminary numbers.
NBC took first place in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic with a 2.6 rating/7 share and second in total viewers with 8.1 million. "The Voice" at 8 held steady for a 3.5/10 -- the night's best performance in the demo -- and drew 11.3 million total viewers.
"Howie Mandel's Take it All" the following hour inched up from Monday's premiere with a 2.3/6 and had 7.3 million total viewers, while "Parenthood" at 10 climbed 11 percent to a 2.0/6 and drew 5.7 million total viewers.
CBS, which took second place in ratings and first in total viewers with a 2.3/6 and 14.3 million total viewers, took hits of varying degrees throughout the night. "NCIS" at 8 dropped 22 percent from its last original two weeks ago, hitting a season low of 2.8/8. Still, despite the ratings drop, it was the night's most-watched program with 17.5 million total viewers.
"NCIS: LA" the following hour also hit a season low, dropping 10 percent from two weeks ago to a 2.6/7 and taking 15 million total viewers. "Vegas" at 10 inched down to a 1.5/4, its lowest showing in the demo so far, and took 10.3 million total viewers.
Univision took third place in ratings and fourth in total viewers with a 1.6/4 and 3.8 million.
Fox came in fourth in ratings and fifth in total viewers with a 1.5/4 and 3.4 million. "Raising Hope" at 8 jumped 21 percent for a 1.7/5 and took 4 million total viewers. Following a "Ben & Kate" repeat at 8:30, "New Girl" at 9 pulled a 2.0/5 and had 4.2 million total viewers. "The Mindy Project" at 9:30 inched up to a 1.4/4 and drew 3 million total viewers.
ABC came in fifth in ratings and fourth in total viewers with a 1.3/4 and 4.1 million. "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" at 8 dropped 23 percent from last year's airing, taking a 1.7/5 and grabbing 5.6 million total viewers.
"Happy Endings" the following hour posted a 1.3/3 with 3.3 million total viewers, while "Don't Trust the B---- in Apt. 23" at 9:30 fell 17 percent to a 1.2/3 with 2.5 million total viewers. "Private Practice" drew even with last week for a 1.2/3 and had 3.8 million total viewers.