• by Paul Gough , May 20, 2003

CBS claimed victory Tuesday afternoon in total households and viewers for the May sweeps and said it had closed the gap between it and NBC in other demographics.

CBS Chairman/CEO Leslie Moonves said that the network will win sweeps "game set and match" over its nearest competitors, making it the first time in 15 years that CBS has won all three sweeps. The margin of victory is a little less than 1 million viewers over NBC and 2 million viewers over ABC and Fox. he said. CBS has won 25 weeks this season in the total household demographic and 24 in total viewers, which is how the older-skewing network tracks itself.

But Moonves noted that CBS was gaining ground in younger demographics against NBC, four-tenths of a ratings point behind NBC in adults 25-54 (compared to 1.3 ratings points a year ago) and 0.7 behind in adults 18-49 (compared to 1.4 a year ago). According to figures provided by CBS, the network is first in viewers and households, second in adults 25-54 behind NBC and third in adults 18-49 behind NBC and Fox. Moonves said CBS was in the closest competitive position in adults 18-49 in many years.

"We've narrowed the demographic gap dramatically," he said. "We like our programming and feel we are very well situated for the upcoming season."

On other matters:

The Real Beverly Hillbillies, an unscripted show that was criticized on the floor of Congress and The New York Times editorial page, remains in suspension while CBS decides whether it will develop it. "We're still curious about it. We haven't thrown in the towel yet. We're closely looking at it," Moonves said.

Moonves declined to discuss again the status of mid-season replacements at CBS, saying it was too early. "We don't think it's necessary to announce it (mid-season plans) at the upfront," he said.

The Charlie Lawrence Show and Baby Bob will return in the summer.

Discussions continue with the producers of Becker, though no deal has been made yet and it's still off the CBS primetime schedule for the fall. "That probably was the toughest call we made of shows that didn't make it on the schedule," Moonves said. "The discussions continue. It's still possible that it could appear once again on CBS' schedule."

Plans are moving forward with a Survivor alumni show, which will be the second Survivor of next season, though no casting decisions have been made.