According to Variety, Heroes performed even better than was expected:

NBC drama ?Heroes? opened to strong numbers on Monday, dominating its broadcast rivals and looking like the first breakout performer of the fall season. The Peacock captured the night in 18-49, with CBS on top in 25-54 and total viewers.

According to preliminary nationals from Nielsen, ?Heroes? (5.9 rating/11 share in adults 18-49, 14.3 million viewers overall) topped CBS? second-place comedy block of ?Two and a Half Men? (5/12 in 18-49, 15.7 million viewers overall) and ?Old Christine? (4/10, 12.6 million viewers overall) by a hefty 31% in adults 18-49 and also led in total viewers. This is the best fall premiere for an NBC drama since ?Crossing Jordan? five years ago.


If it comes up a tick in nationals, ?Heroes? would match ABC?s ?Brothers & Sisters? as the season?s highest-rated premiere for a new show in adults 18-49.

?Heroes? provided a nice lead-in for ?Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip? (4.4/12 in 18-49, 11.2 million viewers overall), which declined 16% from its premiere.