Ratings Watch: NCIS, Big Bang Theory Battle For First; ACM Awards Sees Big Gains

In a rare first-place tie, CBS’ NCIS and The Big Bang Theory were the most-watched shows for the week ending April 19, after three days worth of DVR and VOD use.

In live numbers, CBS’ annual presentation of the Academy of Country Music Awards was the top-rated program of the week, at 16 million viewers. But live events like the ACM awards rarely receive much lift in the days that follow, while NCIS and The Big Bang Theory jumped enough that both ended up at 18.7 million, surpassing the awards shows.

Nonetheless, the 50th anniversary of the ACM Awards was still a huge event this year, adding more than 2 million viewers vs. last year’s telecast (14.7 million).

In other ratings news:

The Voice still packs a punch. The singing competition remains the No. 1 show of Monday night in every key demographic.

ABC’s The Goldbergs is a true sophomore sensation. The comedy is up 23% among adults 18-49 vs. its performance on Tuesdays at 9/8c last season.

Here is the top 25 ranker, including three days’ worth of DVR and VOD usage, for the week ending April 19, 2015.