CBS records its most-watched week since 1994

CBS combined the most-watched program in U.S. television history with the most-watched series premiere since 1987 and the network’s popular scripted shows to record its most-watched week since 1994.

CBS averaged 26.18 million viewers for its prime-time programming between Feb. 1 and Sunday, its largest audience since the week of Feb. 21-27, 1994, when its programming consisted of the final week of the Winter Olympics, according to figures released Tuesday by the Nielsen Co.

CBS’ coverage of Super Bowl XLIV on Sunday was the most-watched program in American television history, averaging 106.48 million viewers, topping the 1983 finale of the long-running CBS comedy “MASH,” which averaged 105.97 million viewers.

CBS’ “Undercover Boss” was also a record-setter. The show, about the experiences of top corporate executives as they work in entry-level jobs in their firms, averaged 38.65 million viewers, the most for a series premiere after a Super Bowl and the most for a premiere of an unscripted series.

CBS also had the week’s nine most-watched scripted series, topped by “NCIS,” which was sixth overall with 19.23 million viewers.