"Survivor" is still thriving as last night's premiere of Survivor: Pearl Islands attracted an average of 21 million viewers and dominated its time period in key adult demographics despite dealing with pre-emptions, breaking news updates, and the loss of power to more than 5.5 million residents in the mid-Atlantic states due to Hurricane Isabel.

ADVERTISEMENT


According to the final Nielsen national ratings for Thursday, Sept. 18, Survivor: Pearl Islands premiered with a 12.4 rating and 20 share with 21.50 million viewers, a 6.6/21 in adults 18-34, a 8.4/23 in adults 18-49 and a 9.9/24 in adults 25-54, dominating its time period.

This is the best Thursday performance for a Survivor broadcast since March 13, 2003 in households and viewers and highest adults 18-34, adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 ratings since March 6, 2003.

The 90-minute CSI repeat that followed Survivor: Pearl Islands also won its time period in households (9.2/15), viewers (14.08m), adults 25-54 (6.1/15), adults 18-49 (5.0/14) and adults 18-49 (4.1/13).

For the night, CBS was first in households (10.8/18), viewers (17.79m), adults 18-34 (5.3/17), adults 18-49 (6.7/18) and adults 25-54 (8.0/19).