With television sets cleared of big-stage reality programs for the year comedy has won the night with The Big Bang Theory pulling in more viewers than any other show on Monday evening.

Nine’s The Big Bang Theory was watched by 1.289 million people last night, according to OzTam’s preliminary metro ratings.

The US comedy pulled in more viewers than The Blacklist, which won its 8.30pm timeslot with 1.032 million viewers.

The ABC won 8pm with Australian Story which pulled in 1.018 million viewers to the broadcaster.

It was a strong night for the ABC with five other programs in the top 20 including Four Corners (923,000) and Media Watch (788,000).

As a result the ABC sat on a total 22.4% share of all free-to-air viewers with 17.3% for ABC1.

Ten, which had only Ten Eyewitness News (670,000) in the top 20, sat on total 15.9% with 9.3% for its primary channel on the evening it fast-tracks Homeland.

Despite housing the evening’s most watched program Nine did not the win night. Instead the overall ratings crown went to Seven with a 29% share and 21.4% for its primary channel.

Nine came second on a total 27.2% with 20% for its main channel.