"CSI" generated its largest aud since September 2007 with Thursday's episode marking the farewell of William Petersen's Gil Grissom.
Although President Bush's own farewell speech forced a 15-minute delay in "CSI's" start time on the East Coast, the show pulled in 24.3 million viewers and 6.6 rating /14 share in the adults 18-49 demo.
CBS easily won the night in all key measures.
ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," which stuck with its regular 9 pm start time, had an off night, falling to a series low in viewers (13.1 mil) and 18-49 (5.2/12).
CBS will rerun last night's "CSI" seg on Thursday at 8 pm.
Contact Cynthia Littleton at
cynthia.littleton@variety.com