Viewers: 9.22 million - down about half a million from last year’s premiere, but last year’s premiere wasn’t up against House. Last year’s premiere also aired at 8:30PM - the last HIMYM episode to air in the 8PM timeslot was Old King Clancy, which only pulled 7.4 million.
Adults 18-49: 3.5/9
Adults 18-34: 3.2/9
Adults 25-54: 4.0/10
Households: 5.7/9
Compared to other networks: Behind Dancing with the Stars and House in everything, ahead of Heroes and One Tree Hill.
Compared to other CBS comedies: Third in viewers, which is where you can expect to see it all season - CBS’ strategy to turn The Big Bang Theory into a megahit by putting it in the post-Two and a Half Men timeslot is paying off, since TBBT saw its best numbers ever. HIMYM was third in everything else as well, with the exception of 18-34, where it surpassed TBBT. [CBS didn't provide 18-34 numbers for Men or Accidentally on Purpose.]
Sources: Zap2It, TV By the Numbers, CBS.