Television networks usually fight tooth and nail for the position of “most watched network”. Buying new TV series, movies, having controversial news and talk-shows, having the majority of shows destined to entertain – these are just a few methods, and frankly quite obvious ones, that TV networks use to improve their ratings.

CBS has been at the top for the last three weeks, as no other network managed to surpass its ratings. According to the numbers, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” and new-comer “The Mentalist” are “responsible” for the high ratings. Also, CBS had an increase in viewers of 4%, while other networks suffered more than 10% in viewer decreases.

On its third week of reign, CBS had 11.5 million viewers. ABC was the not-so-close second, with 9.1 million, NBC with 7.2 million and Fox for 6.7 million. ABC took a hard hit when its only new comer, “Life in Mars”, lost 32% of its viewers in the 18-49 demographic.

In the case of basic cable, people mostly enjoyed watching the postseason baseball games and, of course, the presidential debate. On Sunday, TBS hit the mark with the Red Sox – Rays game, which brought in 13.4 million viewers.

CBS doesn’t seem to want to give up its position very easily, although the other networks have been working hard at gaining an ounce of rating more than CBS. It’s still debatable whether consistency or novelty is more popular and brings on more viewers. But as it usually happens, a balance between the two would be a better answer. Everyone at CBS and mostly everyone at the other networks are anxiously awaiting the ratings for this week – a similar outcome may result in a change in the networks’ grid.