Despite running a “CSI” repeat at 8 p.m. (ET) and challenges from high-profile original programming on other networks, CBS was No. 1 Thursday night in adults 18 to 49.

An original “CSI” at 9 p.m. was the highest-rated program for the night in the demo with a preliminary national rating of 9.0, according to Nielsen Media Research. Thursday’s ratings include live-plus-same-day sampling of DVR viewing.

The No. 2 network in the time period was NBC, with assists from its 9 p.m. comedy “My Name Is Earl” (5.3) and the 9:30 p.m. comedy “The Office” (4.5). Despite a 10 percent drop from last week, “Earl” was still the third-highest program in adults 18 to 49 for the night, behind the 9 p.m. “CSI” and CBS’s “Without a Trace” (7.3) at 10 p.m., which hit a season high in the demo. ABC’s 90-minute “Dancing With the Stars” was fourth in the demo for the night with a 5.2.

The 8 p.m. hour of “Dancing” was tops in the time period with a 5.1 in the demo, with a “CSI” repeat second, earning a 4.6. NBC’s 8 p.m. comedy block of “Will & Grace” and “Four Kings” scored an average of 3.3.