Why wait until Thursday: CBS claims the 2009-10 total viewers crown

CBS is anxious to spread the word: It's once again tops in total viewers.

With three days left in the 2009-2010 TV season competish, the Eye is far enough ahead in total viewers that even a mega finale for "American Idol" wouldn't bump it out of the lead.

Here's how the viewer race is shaping up: CBS in first, with 11.8 million viewers, followed by Fox (9.9 million), ABC (8.6 million) and NBC (8.2 million).

Among the other bulletpoints being touted by CBS:

CBS has the season's top three new programs—"Undercover Boss," "NCIS: Los Angeles" and "The Good Wife"

"NCIS" is #1 scripted program in viewers

"The Big Bang Theory" is #1 scripted series in adults 18-49

CBS notches seven of the Top 10 dramas and the top two comedies

CBS will win the May sweep in viewers for the eighth consecutive year and ninth in the last 10 years

Meanwhile, through Sunday night, here's how the other races are faring:

Adults 18-49 (ratings/share)

Fox -- 3.6/10

CBS -- 3.2/9

ABC/NBC (tie) -- 2.7/7

Adults 18-34

Fox -- 3.2/10

ABC/CBS/NBC (tie) -- 2.2/7

Adults 25-54

CBS/Fox (tie) -- 4.1/10

ABC/NBC (tie) -- 3.2/8

Fox was a little more cautious this morning, touting only that it was "closing in" on another season win in 18-49.