Ratings Chart Attack!

Coming off a much-watched Tuesday last week due to election coverage, several shows last night set ratings or viewership benchmarks, including the most-watched episode of CBS’ “NCIS” and a season high for NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.”

“NCIS” brought in a 4.0 rating/10 share in the 18- to 49-year-old demographic, according to preliminary Nielsen Media Research data.

The show rose 18% from its last original episode two weeks ago, and drew its highest audience ever with 18.8 million viewers. It’s also the highest rating in over a year for “NCIS,” now in its sixth season.

CBS freshman “The Mentalist” (3.9/9) also drew its largest audience with 16.5 million viewers and tied its highest showing in adults 18-49.

“Without a Trace” (2.7/7, 12.2 million) was down two-tenths of a ratings point from its last showing.

CBS won the night in total viewers with 15.8 million, and tied NBC for second in adults 18-49 with a 3.5/9.

NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” (3.4/8) hit a season high last night, improving 6% from its last original episode two weeks ago. “Loser” showed some muscle last night, beating the results hour of “Dancing With the Stars” head-to-head, and held its own in its second hour, coming close to tying “Fringe” and “The Mentalist” in adults 18-49.

“Law & Order: SVU” was on par with a 3.6/10.

Fox captured first place for the night with “House” (5.5/14) and “Fringe” (3.9/9). “House” grew one-tenth of a point from its last original episode two weeks prior, while “Fringe” tied its last original three weeks ago. Fox was first in adults 18-49 with a 4.7/12.

The CW was about even with last week’s programming, which ran opposite election coverage. “90210” (1.4/4) held steady in the network’s key demo of women 18-34 with a 2.8/8. “Privileged” (0.9/2) grew two-tenths of a ratings point in the same demo to a 2.0/5.