NBC Announces Primetime Ratings 5/31-6/6

Paced by strong debuts from "America's Got Talent" and "Losing It With Jillian," and with its primetime week bookended by two potent NHL Stanley Cup Final games, NBC averaged a 1.9 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 5.7 million viewers overall for the week of May 31-June 6, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research. For the week, NBC ranked #3 in primetime in adults 18-49 and #2 among adults 25-54, men 18-49 and men 25-54.

NBC's primetime performance was led this week by Tuesday's fifth season premiere of "America's Got Talent," which ranked #4 among all primetime programs for the week in adults 18-49. Excluding sports telecasts, the Tuesday "Talent" ranked #2 among all programs in adults 18-49. In total viewers, the Tuesday edition of "Talent, " with an average 12.4 million viewers, ranked #3 among all programs and was the #1 program of the week, excluding sports (trailing only ABC's Thursday and Sunday NBA Finals telecasts).

Also among the top programs of the week was the Wednesday debut of "America's Got Talent," which ranked #8 (tied) among all programs in adults 18-49 and #6 in total viewers. The series premiere of "Losing It With Jillian" ranked #12 among all programs in adults 18-49, NBC's Monday telecast of the Philadelphia Flyers-Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Final Game 2 ranked #13 (tied), Sunday's coverage of the Flyers-Blackhawks Game 5 ranked #16 and Wednesday's encore telecast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" ranked #17 (tied) among all programs this week in primetime's key demographic.

Primetime averages for the week of May 31-June 6 in adults 18-49 were ABC (2.6/8), Fox (2.0/6), NBC (1.9/6), CBS (1.4/4) and CW (0.4/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were ABC (7.2 million), CBS (6.6 million), NBC (5.7 million), Fox (5.1 million) and CW (1.0 million).

Season-to-date through 37 weeks, NBC is tied for #3 among the major networks in adults 18-49 and tied for #2 in adults 18-34. In total viewers, NBC is up 5 percent versus last season (8.1 million vs. 7.7 million), the biggest gain among the major networks.

NBC highlights for the week of May 31-June 6

* On Monday, NBC iced a primetime win in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and all key adult-male demographics, propelled by NBC Sports' coverage of the Philadelphia Flyers-Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Final Game 2.

* This year's Stanley Cup Final Game 2 was up 4 percent in adults 18-49 and 9 percent in total viewers versus last year's Game 2.

* NBC won all six half-hours of primetime Tuesday in the key demographic of adults 18-49 with the season premiere of "America's Got Talent" and the series premiere of "Losing It with Jillian."

* On Tuesday, the fifth season premiere of "America's Got Talent" won its tough time period in adults, men and women 18-49; adults, men and women 25-54; and total viewers, winning head to head versus such competition as Fox's season debut of "Hell's Kitchen" and an original episode of "Glee" and ABC's season premiere of "Wipeout."

* Despite the tough competition, this year's "Talent" debut was up 13 percent in adults 18-49 and up 8 percent in total viewers versus last year's season premiere.

* "America's Got Talent" grew from its first half-hour to its fourth by 50 percent in 18-49 rating and by 29 percent or more than 3.0 million persons in total viewers.

* Also on Tuesday, the series premiere of "Losing It with Jillian" ranked #1 among the major networks in its time period in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 (tie) and all key adult-female demographics - women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54. "Losing It with Jillian" delivered NBC's biggest overall audience in the slot since April 20.

* On Wednesday, "America's Got Talent" was the #1 show of the night in both adults 18-49 and total viewers. "Talent" ranked #1 in its hour in adults 18-49, total viewers and adults, men and women 25-54.

* Over two nights - Tuesday and Wednesday - "America's Got Talent" ranked #1 in its time periods in both adults 18-49 and total viewers versus Fox's "Glee" and debut editions of "Hell's Kitchen" and the Wednesday "So You Think You Can Dance," as well as the season premiere of ABC's "Wipeout."

* Also on Wednesday, a rebroadcast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" won its hour in adults 18-49 and other key measures versus CBS's rebroadcast of "CSI: NY" and ABC's first-run "Happy Town." This week's "SVU" encore was up 82 percent in 18-49 rating versus a rebroadcast in the same time period the prior Wednesday.

* On Friday, "Friday Night Lights" finished #1 in its time period in adults 18-49, giving the critically acclaimed drama its second straight week in first place in the Friday 8-9 p.m. hour. "Lights" also ranked #1 among the major networks in adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and nearly all other key demographics. NBC tied for #1 in primetime Friday in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 outright in adults 18-34 and other key demos. .

* On Saturday, encore telecasts of the Tuesday and Wednesday editions of "America's Got Talent" postEd Strong results, with the rebroadcast of Wednesday's "Talent" winning the 10-11 p.m. ET time period over all major network competition in every key ratings category and beating The Combined ABC-CBS rating in adults 18-49 and numerous other measures. "Talent" scored NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this slot, excluding sports, since November 8, 2008.

* Despite competition on Sunday from the NBA Finals Game 2, NBC's coverage of the Philadelphia Flyers-Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Final Game 5 was the top-scoring non-overtime Game 5 in total viewers in eight years.

Ratings reflect "live plus same day" data unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date figures are averages of "live plus seven day" data except for the two most recent weeks, which are "live plus same day."

Additional NBC highlights for the week of May 31-June 6:

On Monday, May 31 from 8-11:01 p.m. ET, NBC Sports' coverage of the Philadelphia Flyers-Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Final Game 2 averaged a 2.5 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49 and 5.9 million viewers overall. NBC ranked #1 among the major networks in primetime in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and all key adult-male demographics - men 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54.

This year's Stanley Cup Final Game 2 was up 4 percent in adults 18-49 versus last year's Game 2 (a 2.4/7 for the Pittsburgh Penguins-Detroit Red Wings on Sunday, May 31, 2009). In total viewers, this year's Game 2 telecast was up 9 percent versus last year's Game 2 (5.9 million vs. 5.4 million).

On Tuesday, June 1 from 8-10 p.m. ET, the fifth season premiere of "America's Got Talent" (3.6/11 in adults 18-49, 12.4 million viewers overall) won its tough time period in adults, men and women 18-49; adults, men and women 25-54; and total viewers, topping such competition as Fox's season debut of "Hell's Kitchen" and original episode of "Glee" and ABC's season premiere of "Wipeout."

Versus last year's season premiere, this year's "Talent" debut was up 13 percent in adults 18-49 (3.6 vs. a 3.2 on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 from 9-11 p.m.) and up 8 percent in total viewers (12.4 million versus 11.5 million).

Excluding Olympics, "Talent" scored NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this slot since January 26 and biggest overall viewership in the time period, excluding Olympics, since December 8, 2009 ("The Biggest Loser" finale).

"America's Got Talent" grew from its first half-hour to its fourth by 50 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 4.2/11 from a 2.8/10) and by 29 percent or more than 3.0 million persons in total viewers (to 13.5 million from 10.5 million).

Tuesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, the series premiere of "Losing It with Jillian" (2.6/8 in 18-49, 6.4 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among the major networks in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 (tie) and all key adult-female demographics - women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54. "Losing It With Jillian" delivered NBC's biggest overall audience in the slot since April 20.

NBC won all six half-hours of primetime Tuesday in the key demographic of adults 18-49.

On Wednesday, June 2 from 9-10 p.m. ET, the Wednesday debut of "America's Got Talent" (2.9/9 in adults 18-49, 10.4 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in its hour in adults 18-49, total viewers and adults, men and women 25-54.

"America's Got Talent" was the #1 show of the night Wednesday in both adults 18-49 and total viewers.

From its first half-hour to its second, Wednesday's "Talent" grew by 23 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 3.2 rating from a 2.6) and by 21 percent or 1.9 million persons in total viewers (to 11.3 million from 9.4 million). "Talent" built by 190 percent in 18-49 rating and by 200 percent in total viewers on its lead-in from the previous hour - a 1.0/4 in 18-49 and 3.5 million viewers overall for an encore telecast of Tuesday's premiere of "Losing It With Jillian."

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2.0/6 in 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall) won the hour in adults 18-49 and other key measures versus CBS's rebroadcast of "CSI: NY" and ABC's first-run "Happy Town." Versus an encore in this same time period the prior Wednesday, this week's "SVU" is up 82 percent (2.0 vs. 1.1).

On Thursday, June 3 at 8 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "Community" delivered a 1.0/4 in 18-49 and 3.0 million viewers overall. Week-to-week, "Community" was up 25 percent in 18-49 (1.0 vs. 0.8) and 8 percent in total viewers (3.0 million vs. 2.8 million). From 8:30-9 p.m., "100 Questions" (0.9/3 in 18-49, 2.2 million viewers overall) was up 13 percent in 18-49 rating week-to-week (0.9 vs. 0.8).

Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "The Office" (1.2/4 in 18-49, 2.8 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 33 percent in adults 18-49. From 9:31-10 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "30 Rock" (1.2/4 in 18-49, 2.8 million viewers overall) retained 100 percent of its 18-49 lead-in and built on its total viewers lead-in by 2 percent.

Thursday from 10-10:31 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "The Office" (1.4/4 in 18-49, 2.9 million viewers overall) was up versus its results in the same time period the prior Thursday by 17 percent in 18-49 (1.4 vs. 1.2) and by 12 percent in total viewers (2.9 million vs. 2.6 million). From 10:31-11 p.m., a rebroadcast of "Parks and Recreation" (1.2/4 in 18-49, 2.5 million viewers overall) was up versus its results in the same time period the prior week by 9 percent in both 18-49 (1.2 vs. 1.1) and total viewers (2.5 million vs. 2.3 million).

On Friday, June 4 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Friday Night Lights" (1.1/4 in adults 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall) finished #1 in the time period in adults 18-49, giving the critically acclaimed drama its second straight week in first place in the Friday 8-9 p.m. hour. "Lights" also ranked #1 among the major networks in nearly all other key demographics - adults, men and women 18-34; men and women 18-49; and adults and men 25-54.

"Friday Night Lights" scored its top 18-49 and total-viewer results in three weeks.

Friday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.3/4 in 18-49, 4.9 million viewers overall) tied for #1 among the major networks in the slot in adults 18-49 and adults 18-34 and ranked #1 outright in women 18-49 and women 18-34.

NBC tied for #1 in primetime Friday in adults and men 18-49 and ranked #1 outright among the major networks in adults, men and women 18-34, women 18-49 and men 25-54.

On Saturday, June 5 from 8-10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of Tuesday's "America's Got Talent" (1.2/5 in adults 18-49, 4.4 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the time period in adults 18-49 and #1 in total viewers. "Talent" matched NBC's top non-sports 18-49 rating in the time period since November 29, 2008. The "Talent" encore ran head to head against a repeat of ABC's "Bachelorette" from 8-10 p.m. and tripled "Bachelorette" in adults 18-49 (1.2 vs. 0.4), while more than doubling "Bachelorette' in all other key ratings categories. From its first half-hour to its fourth, the "America's Got Talent" rebroadcast grew by 88 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.5 from a 0.8) and by 62 percent or 2.1 million persons in total viewers (5.4 million vs. 3.3 million).

Saturday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of Wednesday's "America's Got Talent" (1.8/7 in 18-49, 5.8 million viewers overall) scored the highest 18-49 rating for any non-sports Saturday primetime telecast on any network since March 20. "America's Got Talent" won the time period over all major network competition in every key ratings category and beat The Combined ABC-CBS rating in adults 18-49 and numerous other measures. "Talent" scored NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period, excluding sports, since November 8, 2008.

On Sunday, June 6 from 7-7:30 p.m. ET, "The Making of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter" averaged a 0.7/3 in 18-49 and 2.6 million viewers overall. From 7:30-8 p.m., "Dateline NBC" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 3.5 million viewers overall) ranked #2 or tied for #2 among the major networks in adults, men and women 18-34.

On Sunday from 8-11 p.m. ET, NBC Sports coverage of the Philadelphia Flyers-Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Final Game 5 averaged a 2.2/6 in adults 18-49 and 5.8 million viewers overall, ranking #2 among the major networks in adults 18-49 and other key measures behind only ABC's telecast of the NBA Finals Game 2.

Despite competition from the NBA Finals, this year's Stanley Cup Final Game 5 was the top-scoring non-overtime Game 5 in total viewers and household rating in eight years. It was watched by 5.8 million viewers and posted a 3.3/6 rating in households, best for a non-overtime Game 5 since 2002 (6.8 million and 4.2/8, Carolina-Detroit, ABC). The viewership and household rating were up 31 and 38 percent, respectively, versus last year's Game 5 (4.4 million; 2.4/5), between the then-defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins, featuring Sidney Crosby. In adults 18-49, this year's game was up 22 percent versus last year's Game 5 (a 1.8/7 for the Pittsburgh Penguins-Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, June 6, 2009).

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