NBC's HAIRSPRAY LIVE! Early Ratings: Down from 'The Wiz'; Matches 'Peter Pan Live'

UPDATE 12:00 PM/ET: NBC has announced that HAIRSPRAY LIVE! earned a 2.3 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49, and delivered 9.0 million viewers overall from 8-10:54 p.m. ET.

In addition, HAIRSPRAY LIVE jumps +77% versus NBC's Wednesday season average in 18-49 (2.3 vs. 1.3) and grows +49% vs. NBC's Wednesday average so far this season in total viewers (9.045million vs. 6.064 million).

The show grows +14% versus last year's "The Wiz Live!" among female teen viewers (with a 3.3 rating versus a 2.9 on Dec. 3, 2015), and increases by +24% in women 18-24 (3.6 vs. 2.9) and matches last year among teens 12-17 (2.2 vs. 2.2).

Below, see how NBC's live musicals have performed to date:

Hairspray Live - 8.9 million viewers;2.3 rating adults 18-49

The Wiz - 11.5 million viewers; 3.4 rating adults 18-49 (7.9 overnight)
Peter Pan - 9.2 million viewers; 2.3 rating adults 18-49 (5.9 overnight)
The Sound of Music - 18.3 million viewers; 4.6 rating adults 18-49 (10.6 overnight)

Previously 9:30 am/ET: NBC has just released early ratings results for last night's broadcast of HAIRSPRAY LIVE! BWW will be updating these results as more numbers become available.

According to Nielsen Media's metered markets, the musical has scored a 5.9 rating. That marks an almost 25% drop from the household overnights for last year's THE WIZ LIVE, which delivered a 7.9% rating. Last night's results also mark a virtual tie with 2014's PETER PAN LIVE.

While HAIRSPRAY LIVE earned a 2.6/9 rating in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters, THE WIZ LIVE drew a 3.4 rating in the all important 18-49 demo and delivered 11.5 million viewers. PETER PAN LIVE received a 2.4 in the demo with 9.21 million viewers tuning in.

Fox's broadcast of GREASE LIVE last January earned a 4.3 in the demo and delivered 12.18 million viewers. To date, none of the live musicals have come close to matching NBC's very first live offering, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, which drew a 10.9 household rating in the overnights, and a 4.6 demo rating and 18.62 million viewers for the night.

In other results, HAIRSPRAY LIVE! won the night in households and 18-49 in these local results, taking six of six half-hours in households and five of six in 18-49 and beat Fox's "Empire" head to head from 9-10 p.m. in households (6.0 vs. 4.9) and 18-49 (2.7 vs. 2.6).

In 18-49 in the local people meters, the show generated NBC's highest-rated in-season Wednesday, excluding Olympics, in four years (since Nov. 28, 2012, 2.6). In households, the broadcast teams with last week to deliver NBC's two highest-rated in-season Wednesdays in two years (with a 5.9 last night and a 6.5 last week, highest in season since Nov. 12, 2014, 6.8).

In addition, HAIRSPRAY LIVE!:

Grows +48% versus NBC's Wednesday season average in households (5.9 vs. 4.0, L+SD excluding the night of the Presidential debate).

Soars +117% above NBC's Wednesday season average in 18-49 in the local people meters (2.6 vs. 1.2).

Increases among female teen viewers versus last year's "The Wiz Live!," with a 4.3 rating versus a 4.2 on Dec. 3, 2015, and is competitive with "The Sound of Music Live!" (4.3 vs. 4.6 on Dec. 5, 2013).

NBC's HAIRSPRAY LIVE aired last night, Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT and originated from Los Angeles. The all-star cast featured newcomer Maddie Baillio as Tracy Turnblad, Harvey Fierstein as Edna Turnblad, Jennifer Hudson as Motormouth Maybelle, Martin Short as Wilbur Turnblad, Derek Hough as Corny Collins, Ariana Grande as Penny Pingleton, Andrea Martin as Prudy Singleton and Kristin Chenoweth as Velma Von Tussle. Rosie O'Donnell and Sean Hayes will also made special appearances in the broadcast.

Live television director Alex Rudzinski joined director Kenny Leon ("The Wiz Live!"). Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (the upcoming "A Few Good Men Live!") served as executive producers of "Hairspray Live!" Harvey Fierstein provided a new teleplay and Jerry Mitchell ("Kinky Boots," "On Your Feet") served as choreographer for the live production with music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman ("Smash" and Broadway's upcoming "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"). Derek McLane served as production designer.

Based on the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, "Hairspray Live!" takes place in 1962 Baltimore. Teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream is to dance on "The Corny Collins Show," a local TV program. When, against all odds, Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight and meets a colorful array of characters, including the resident dreamboat, Link; the ambitious mean girl, Amber; an African-American boy she meets in detention, Seaweed; and his mother, Motormouth Maybelle, the owner of a local record store. Tracy's mother is the indomitable Edna Turnblad, and she eventually encourages Tracy on her campaign to integrate the all-white "Corny Collins Show."

Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC

Source: The Hollywood Reporter