The return of "CSI" on Thursday lifted CBS over its competitors. According to Nielsen's estimates, 23 million viewers tuned in to its ninth-season premiere, the largest audience for a prime-time program this fall. CBS's "Survivor: Gabon" led the 8 p.m. time slot with 13.3 million viewers, while, at 10, CBS's new show "Eleventh Hour" tied for first with the debut of ABC's "Life on Mars," both drawing 11.6 million.
