CBS was the first network to cancel a TV show this season (Made in Jersey) and they’ve now given full season orders to their other new dramas — Elementary and Vegas.

Vegas debuted to a mediocre 2.5 demo rating with 14.85 million viewers. In week two, those numbers fell about 20% and held steady in week three. That’s positive but it’s still one of CBS’ lowest rated weeknight dramas.

Airing on Thursday nights, Elementary premiered to a 3.1 rating and 13.41 million viewers. The second episode dropped about 19% and week’s three’s demo fell another 8%. Considering that Elementary’s only real timeslot competition in primetime is ABC’s Scandal (NBC runs ratings anemic Rock Center with Brian Williams), the new series should be performing much better.

While neither new TV series may live to see a second season, CBS has at least decided to give each show more time to grow their audiences.

Here’s the press release:

CBS GIVES FULL SEASON ORDERS TO TELEVISION’S #1 AND #2 NEW SERIES – “VEGAS” AND “ELEMENTARY”

Freshman Dramas Win Their Time Periods in Viewers and Key Demographics

CBS has given full season “back nine” orders to television’s top two freshman series – VEGAS and ELEMENTARY.

“VEGAS and ELEMENTARY have opened strong, delivering big audiences and winning performances in important time periods,” said Nina Tassler, President, CBS Entertainment. “Each of the shows has rich characters, big stars and a unique visual style that have stood out in the crowd, helping make two of our strongest nights even stronger.”

VEGAS, the #1 new series of the season and ranked sixth overall, wins its Tuesday (10:00-11:00 PM) time period in viewers and key demographics, averaging 14.94 million viewers, 2.7/08 in adults 18-49 and 3.8/09 in adults 25-54. VEGAS has improved the year-ago time period by +8% in viewers.

ELEMENTARY, the #2 new series of the season and ranked ninth overall, also wins its Thursday (10:00-11:00 PM) time period in the key ratings measures, averaging 14.30 million viewers, 3.5/10 in adults 18-49 and 4.6/11 in adults 25-54. Compared to the time period last year, ELEMENTARY is up +17% in adults 18-49 and +10% in adults 25-54.

VEGAS stars Dennis Quaid, Michael Chiklis, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jason O’Mara, Taylor Handley and Sarah Jones. Greg Walker, Nicholas Pileggi, Cathy Konrad, Arthur Sarkissian and James Mangold are executive producers for CBS Television Studios.

ELEMENTARY stars Jonny Lee Miller, Lucy Liu, Aidan Quinn and Jon Michael Hill. Rob Doherty, Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly are executive producers for CBS Television Studios.

What do you think? Do you like either of these shows? Are you hoping one or the other will be renewed for second seasons?