BEST TIME EVER is NBC's Top Alternative-Series Debut Since 2012; Delivers 6.8M Viewers

NBC's BEST TIME EVER with Neil Patrick Harris" premiered with 1.9/7 rating in the coveted 18-49 demographic, and delivered 6.8 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET. The numbers represent a promising start, but are most likely lower than what the network was expecting for its high profile new series.

The network reports BEST TIME EVER is:

NBC's top alternative series premiere since 2012 in 18-49 and total viewers, since "Take It All" on Monday, Dec. 10, 2012 from 9:01-10:01 p.m. (2.2 in 18-49, 7.121 million viewers overall).Jumps +36% versus NBC's average with originals this season following Tuesday's "Talent" (1.9 vs. 1.4).

Earned NBC's high in the slot excluding May's "Voice" finale since April 7 in 18-49 (2.0). In total viewers, it's the biggest non-"Voice" audience for NBC in the slot since April 28 (6.853 million).

Dominated ABC's "Dancing with the Stars: First Dances" to win the slot among ABC, CBS and NBC in every key category.

Best Time's" adult 18-49 margin over ABC's #2 "Dancing" is +73% (1.9 vs. 1.1 from 10-11 p.m.).

Has opened NBC's fall season up +27% versus the network's rating with last spring's finale for slot regular "Chicago Fire" (1.9 vs. 1.5 on May 12).

Retained 83% of "Talent's" 2.5 rating in 18-49 at 9:30, up from a 56% average with original programming following "Talent" earlier this season.

"America's Got Talent" (2.3/9 in 18-49, 11.3 million viewers overall from 8-10:01 p.m. ET):

Is the #1 show of the night on the Big 4 networks in every key measure.

Despite special competition this week from CBS's "Big Brother," is up week to week by +10% in 18-49 (2.3 vs. 2.1) and +7% in total viewers (11.3257 million vs. 10.530 million).

Wins the time period by a +64% margin among the Big 4 in 18-49 (2.3 vs. 1.4 for CBS from 8-10).

Heading into last night, was up +7% summer to date versus one year ago in 18-49 (2.9 vs. 2.7, "most current") and up +8%in total viewers (12.5 million vs. 11.5 million).

In Late-Night Metered Markets Tuesday Night:

Jimmy Fallon delivered a nine-week Tuesday high, his top rating in metered-market households on a Tuesday night since July 14 (3.1). Versus the prior Tuesday, Fallon grew by +25% (3.0 vs. 2.4). Fallon's guests Tuesday included Robert De Niro, Ariana Grande and musical guest Duran Duran.

At 12:35 a.m. ET, Seth Meyers generated a six-month Tuesday high, his best metered-market household rating on aTuesday (1.4) since March 3 (1.5). Versus the previous Tuesday, Meyers jumped by +27% (1.4 vs. 1.1). Meyers' guestsTuesday included Josh Brolin, Governor Martin O'Malley and Judd Winick.

In Nielsen's 56 metered markets, household results were: "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," 3.0/8; "Late Show with Stephen Colbert," 2.3/6; and ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 2.1/6.

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, adult 18-49 results were: "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," 1.1/6; "Late Show," 0.5/3; and "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 0.5/3.

From 12:35-1:05 a.m. ET, ABC's "Nightline" averaged a 1.3/4 in metered-market households and a 0.4/2 in 18-49 in the Local People Meters.

From 12:35-1:35 a.m. ET, "Late Night with Seth Meyers" (1.4/5 in metered-market households) beat CBS's "Late Late Show" (1.1/4). In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Late Night" (0.5/4 in 18-49) topped "Late Late Show" (0.2/2).

At 1:35 a.m., "Last Call with Carson Daly" averaged a 0.8/4 in metered-market households and a 0.3/3 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.

NOTE: Primetime results are based on "fast affiliate time period" data from Nielsen Media Research. All ratings are "live plus same day" unless otherwise indicated.