NBC Earns High Primetime Ratings for Adults 18-49

NBC DELIVERS THE HIGHEST 18-49 RATING FOR ANY NET IN FIVE WEEKS, ALSO WINS THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-34, WOMEN 18-49 AND ALL KEY ADULT-MALE DEMOGRAPHICS

'NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL'S' EAGLES-COWBOYS GAME FUELS A SUNDAY PRIMETIME VICTORY IN EVERY KEY MEASURE - ADULTS, MEN AND WOMEN 18-49, 18-34 AND 25-54, PLUS TOTAL VIEWERS

'SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' IS THE #1 PROGRAM OF THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-49 FOR THE 14TH CONSECUTIVE WEEK AND IS ALSO THE #1 PRIMETIME TELECAST OF THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-34, ADULTS 25-54 AND TOTAL VIEWERS

ON MONDAY, THE SECOND-SEASON DEBUT OF 'THE SING OFF' HITS A HIGH NOTE, SETTING A NEW SERIES RECORD IN 18-49 AND TOTAL VIEWERS, AND DELIVERING NBC'S BIGGEST OVERALL VIEWERSHIP IN ITS MONDAY SLOT SINCE THE WINTER OLYMPICS

ON WEDNESDAY, 'THE SING OFF' DELIVERS A SEASON HIGH RATING FOR NBC IN THE TIME PERIOD IN ADULTS 18-49

WEEK ONE OF 'THE SING OFF' THIS YEAR IS UP 17 PERCENT IN 18-49 AND 20 PERCENT IN TOTAL VIEWERS VERSUS LAST YEAR'S WEEK ONE

ON TUESDAY, THE PENULTIMATE EPISODE OF 'BIGGEST LOSER 10' WEIGHS IN WITH ITS HEAVIEST 18-49 RATING OF THE SEASON, WINNING ITS TIME PERIOD IN ADULTS 18-49 AND ALL OTHER KEY DEMOGRAPHICS

A ONE-HOUR EPISODE OF 'THE OFFICE' WINS ITS TOUGH THURSDAY SLOT IN ADULTS 18-49 AND OTHER KEY MEASURES

ALSO ON THURSDAY, 'THE APPRENTICE' FINALE SCORES THE SHOW'S HIGHEST 18-49 RATING OF THE SEASON

'IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE' GATHERS NBC'S BIGGEST SATURDAY PRIMETIME AUDIENCE IN SIX MONTHS

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.  - December 14, 2010 - Led by "Sunday Night Football," surging ratings from the first week of the second season of "The Sing Off," and slot-winning performances from "The Office" and "The Biggest Loser," NBC won the week of December 6-12 in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, averaging a 3.0 rating, 9 share in adults 18-49 and 8.8 million viewers overall, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research. 

These results mark NBC's highest weekly 18-49 rating and biggest overall viewership of the season and NBC's first weekly win this season in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49.  NBC's 3.0 rating in adults 18-49 for the week is the highest for any network in the past five weeks (since CBS averaged a 3.1 during the week of November 1-7).

For the week, NBC also ranked #1 in men and women 18-49, adults, men and women 18-34 and men 25-54. NBC ranked #2 for the week in adults and women 25-54 and total viewers.

NBC Sports' "Sunday Night Football" telecast of the Philadelphia Eagles' 30-27 victory over the Dallas Cowboys was the #1 primetime program this week in adults 18-49, marking the 14^th straight week in which "NBC Sunday Night Football" has topped the weekly rankings in primetime's key demographic.  "Sunday Night Football" also ranked #1 among all primetime programs for the week in adults 25-54, adults 18-34, all key adult-male demographics - men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 - women 18-49, women 25-54, teens 12-17 and in total viewers

Also ranking among the top 20 programs this week in adults 18-49 were "The Office," which ranked #8 (tied) and "The Biggest Loser" (#17, tied).  Both "The Office," a one-hour holiday episode on Thursday, and the two-hour "Biggest Loser" on Tuesday won their respective time periods in adults 18-49. (Note: rankings exclude all football pre-game and post-game telecasts). 

Primetime averages for the week of December 6-12 in adults 18-49 were NBC (3.0/9), CBS (2.6/7), CBS (2.2/6), ABC and Fox (2.0/6) and CW (0.9/3).  In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (10.5 million), NBC (8.8 million), ABC (7.0 million), Fox (5.7 million) and CW (2.2 million).

Season-to-date through 12 weeks, NBC ranks #3 in adults 18-49, with a 2.8 rating in that key demographic.  NBC also ranks #3 in adults 25-54 season-to-date, up 3 percent in 25-54 rating versus the first 12 weeks last year (3.3 vs. 3.2).  NBC also ranks #3 in total viewers season-to-date, up 3 percent year-to-year through the first 12 weeks of the season (8.150 million vs. 7.930 million).

NBC highlights for the week of December 6-12

* NBC Sports' "Sunday Night Football" telecast of the Philadelphia Eagles at the Dallas Cowboys fueled a dominant Sunday primetime victory in all key measures - adults, men and women 18-34; adults, men and women 18-49; and adults, men and women 25-54, teens 12-17 and total viewers.     

* NBC's margin of victory over the #2 network in primetime Sunday night was 90 percent in adults 18-49 and 44 percent in total viewers.

* With an average 25.7 million viewers overall, Sunday's Eagles-Cowboys game becomes NBC's most-watched Sunday primetime football telecast to date and the most-watched Sunday or Monday primetime NFL telecast in total viewers since December 15, 1997 (Denver-San Francisco, 27.0 million on ABC "Monday Night Football").

* On Monday, the second season debut of "The Sing Off" set new series records, topping all four telecasts from last season in adults 18-49 and total viewers.  This year's "Sing Off" premiere was up 22 percent in 18-49 rating and 24 percent or more than 1.6 million persons versus last year's debut telecast.

* "The Sing Off" delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating in its two-hour time period since September 20 and amassed the network's biggest overall audience in the slot since the Winter Olympics. Excluding Olympics, "The Sing Off" attracted NBC's biggest overall audience in this time period since September 14, 2009, matching the network's highest 18-49 rating in the slot since that same date.

* "The Sing Off" ranked #2 in its time period among the broadcast networks in adults 18-49 and total viewers and was #1 in adults and women 18-34 and women 18-49 (tie).

* "The Sing Off" delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period since September 20 and amassed the network's biggest overall audience in the slot since the Winter Olympics in February.  Excluding Olympics, "The Sing Off" attracted NBC's biggest overall audience in this time period since September 14, 2009 and matched the network's highest 18-49 rating in the slot since that same date. 

* On Tuesday, "The Biggest Loser 10" hit a season high in adults 18-49 and attracted its second biggest overall audience of the 2010-11 season.

*  "The Biggest Loser" was a dominant #1 in its time period in adults 18-49 and all other key demographics.  For its second hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Biggest Loser" topped the ABC-CBS competition combined in adults 18-49 and other key demos.

* Also on Tuesday, "Minute To Win It" ticked off impressive gains from its first half-hour to its second in all key categories, including increases of 38 percent in adults 18-49 and 29 percent in adults 25-54.

* On Wednesday, "The Sing Off" delivered a season high for NBC in the time period in adults 18-49 and attracted the biggest overall viewership for NBC in the slot since September 29.  From its first half-hour to its fourth, "The Sing Off" grew by 32 percent in adults 18-49 and 22 percent or nearly 1.5 million persons in total viewers.  

* This year's Wednesday telecast of "The Sing Off" was up 29 percent in adults 18-49 and 17 percent or more than 1.1 million persons in total viewers versus last year's Wednesday edition of the show, despite formidable competition this year that included CBS's "Survivor" and "Criminal Minds," ABC's comedy lineup, led by "Modern Family," and Fox's "Hell's Kitchen."

* Wednesday's "Sing Off" ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in its two-hour time period in adults and women 18-34.

* Through telecasts, week one of "The Sing Off" this year is up 17 percent in adults 18-49 and 20 percent in total viewers versus the first week of "The Sing Off" last year. . 

* On Thursday, "The Office" won its time period in adults 18-49, with a 23 percent advantage in 18-49 rating over its closest competitors.  "The Office" also ranked #1 in adults 18-34, women 18-34 and all key adult-male demographics and was the #1 telecast of the night in adults, men and women 18-34.    

* On Thursday, "The Office" won its time period in adults 18-49, with a 23 percent advantage in 18-49 rating over its closest competitors.  "The Office" also ranked #1 in adults 18-34, women 18-34 and all key adult-male demographics and was the #1 telecast of the night in adults, men and women 18-34.    

* So far this season, "The Office" has added an average 31 percent to its 18-49 rating in going from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven day" results, making it the biggest percentage gainer among all half-hour comedies

* Season-to-date, "The Office" is tied as the #7-ranked primetime program in adults 18-49, with a 4.7 average rating. In adults 18-34, "The Office," with a 5.5 average rating, is the #3 program, behind only "Sunday Night Football" and "Glee" ("most current" averages; rankings exclude football pre-game and post game telecasts).

* Also on Thursday, "30 Rock" finished within 2 shares of the time-period lead in adults 18-49 and was the #1 program among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-34 and men 18-34.  "30 Rock" built on its lead-in from "Community" by 11 percent in 18-49 rating and also generated an 11 percent increase in adults 18-49 versus NBC's average in its slot last season.  . 

* Through the first nine weeks of the season, "30 Rock" has added an average 27 percent to its 18-49 rating and "Community" an average 25 percent in going from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven day" results, making them the #3 and #4 biggest gainers respectively on a percentage basis among half-hour comedies, behind only "The Office" and "Modern Family." 

* Additionally on Thursday, the season finale of "The Apprentice" delivered the show's highest 18-49 rating of the season, up 14 percent versus the prior week and up 78 percent versus its holiday-impacted telecast two weeks earlier

* On Friday, "Dateline NBC" reported its biggest overall audience for a Friday telecast since October 8 and matched its highest Friday 18-49 rating since that same date.

* Also on Friday, an encore telecast of "Minute To Win It" clocked NBC's top 18-49 result in the time period since October 8. 

* On Saturday, NBC's 29^th primetime telecast of the 1946 classic movie "It's a Wonderful Life" was up 9 percent in both 18-49 and total viewers versus its telecast on the same night last year.  It attracted NBC's biggest overall viewership for a Saturday night in nearly six months

* It's a Wonderful Life" increased by 50 percent in adults 18-49 and 34 percent or 1.5 million persons from its first half-hour to its sixth.  In its final hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, "It's a Wonderful Life" ranked #1 among the major networks in adults, men and women 18-49; adults, men and women 25-54; and total viewers

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 December 6-12: 

On Monday, Dec. 6 from 8-10 p.m. ET, the second season debut of "The Sing Off" (2.8 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49, 8.6 million viewers overall) set series records, topping the four telecasts from season one last December in adults 18-49 and total viewers.

"The Sing Off" delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period since September 20 and amassed the network's biggest overall audience in the slot since the Winter Olympics in February.  Excluding Olympics, "The Sing Off" attracted NBC's biggest overall audience in this time period since September 14, 2009 and matched the network's highest 18-49 rating in the slot since that same date.

This year's "Sing Off" premiere was up 22 percent in 18-49 rating and 24 percent or more than 1.6 million persons versus last year's debut telecast (a 2.3/6 in 18-49 and 6.9 million viewers on Monday, Dec. 14, 2009).

In its time period, "The Sing Off" ranked #2 among the broadcast networks in adults 18-49 and total viewers and #1 in adults and women 18-34 and women 18-49 (tie).

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, "Chase" (1.5/4 in adults 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall) posted its second-highest 18-49 rating since October 18.  Through the season's first ten weeks, "Chase" has added an average 29 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from the previously reported "live plus same day" rating to its "live plus seven day" figure. 

On Tuesday, Dec. 7 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Minute To Win It" (1.9/5 in adults 18-49, 7.0 million viewers overall) ticked off impressive gains from its first half-hour to its second in all key categories, including increases of 38 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 2.2 from a 1.6), 29 percent in adults 25-54 (2.7 vs. 2.1) and 19 percent in total viewers (7.6 million vs. 6.4 million).

Tuesday from 9-11 p.m. ET, the penultimate episode of "The Biggest Loser 10" (3.1/9 in adults 18-49, 8.2 million viewers overall) was a dominant #1 in its time period in adults 18-49 and all other key demographics.

"The Biggest Loser" hit a season high in adults 18-49 and attracted its second biggest overall audience of the 2010-11 season.  Airing for a second week in the 9-11 p.m. ET time period, "Biggest Loser" gained 7 percent in adults 18-49 versus one week earlier (3.1 vs. 2.9) and was up 35 percent versus two weeks ago (3.1 vs. 2.3 from 8-10 p.m. on November 23).

For its second hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser" topped the ABC-CBS competition combined in adults 18-49 (3.2 vs. a 2.7 for ABC-CBS combined) and other key demographics.

This marks NBC's highest-rated Tuesday night in adults 18-49 since September 21, during premier week.

On Wednesday, Dec. 8 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Sing Off" (2.7/7 in 18-49, 7.6 million viewers overall) delivered a season high for NBC in the time period in adults 18-49 and attracted the biggest overall viewership for NBC in the slot since September 29.  From its first half-hour to its fourth, "The Sing Off" grew by 32 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 2.9/8 from a 2.2/7) and 22 percent or nearly 1.5 million persons in total viewers (to 8.2 million from 6.7 million).

Despite formidable competition this year that included CBS's "Survivor" and "Criminal Minds," ABC's comedy lineup, led by "Modern Family," and Fox's "Hell's Kitchen," this year's Wednesday "Sing Off" was up 29 percent in adults 18-49 versus last year's Wednesday telecast of the show (2.7/7 vs. a 2.1/6 on Wednesday, Dec. 16) and up 17 percent or more than 1.1 million persons in total viewers (7.642 million vs. 6.509 million).  Versus last year's second episode of "The Sing Off," which aired on Tuesday, Dec. 15, this year's second telecast was up 4 percent in 18-49 rating (2.7 vs. 2.6) and 11 percent in total viewers (7.642 million vs. 6.856 million).

"The Sing Off" ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in its two-hour time period in adults and women 18-34.

Week one of "The Sing Off" this year, through two telecasts, averaged 3.587 million 18-49 viewers and 8.106 million total viewers. That's an increase of 17 percent in adults 18-49 and 20 percent in total viewers versus the first week of  "The Sing Off" last year, which averaged 3.065 million 18-49 viewers and 6.753 million viewers overall.  Note: Last year, week one of "The Sing Off" consisted of three telecasts - on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 14, 15 and 16 - versus two telecasts this year.

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1.8/5 in 18-49, 6.1 million viewers overall) finished within one share of the time period lead in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-34, women 18-34 and women 18-49 (tie).

On Thursday, Dec. 9 from 8-8:30 p.m. ET, a special stop-motion animated holiday episode of "Community" averaged a 1.9/6 in 18-49 and 4.3 million viewers overall.  "Community" matched NBC's 18-49 average in the slot during the traditional 2009-10 season (1.9, non-sports, "live plus same day").  "Community" ranked #2 among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54 (tie) and was #1 in men 18-34.  

So far this season, "Community" has added an average 25 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from the previously reported "live plus same day" rating to its "live plus seven day" figure, making it the #4 biggest gainer on a percentage basis among half-hour comedies, behind only "The Office," "Modern Family" and "30 Rock."

Thursday from 8:30-9 p.m. ET, "30 Rock" (2.1/6 in 18-49, 4.8 million viewers overall) finished within 2 shares of the time-period lead in adults 18-49 and was the #1 program among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-34 and men 18-34.  "30 Rock" built by 11 percent in 18-49 rating on its lead-in and also generated an 11 percent increase versus NBC's slot average during the traditional 2009-10 season (1.9, non-sports, "live plus same day").

So far this season, "30 Rock" has added an average 27 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from the previously reported "live plus same day" rating to its "live plus seven day" figure, making it the #3 biggest gainer on a percentage basis among half-hour comedies, behind only "The Office" and "Modern Family."

Thursday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "The Office" (3.7/10 in adults 18-49, 7.2 million viewers overall) won its time period in adults 18-49, with a 23 percent advantage in 18-49 rating over its closest competitors (3.7 vs. a 3.0 in the hour for ABC and CBS).  "The Office" also ranked #1 in adults 18-34, women 18-34 and all key adult-male demographics.

"The Office" was the #1 telecast of the night in adults, men and women 18-34.

These results for "The Office" are likely to increase substantially when Nielsen issues "live plus seven day" results for the week of December 6-12. So far this season, "The Office" has added an average 31 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from the previously reported "live plus same day" rating to its "live plus seven day" figure. On a percentage basis, "The Office" is the #1 biggest gainer from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven" among all half-hour comedies on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox or CW.

Thursday at 10 p.m. ET, the season finale of "The Apprentice" (1.6/5 in 18-49, 4.1 million viewers overall) delivered the show's highest 18-49 rating of the season, up 14 percent versus the prior week (1.6 vs. 1.4) and up 78 percent versus its holiday-impacted telecast two weeks earlier (1.6 vs. 0.9). 

So far this season, "The Apprentice" has added an average 27 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from the previously reported "live plus same day" rating to its "live plus seven day" figure. In total viewers, "The Apprentice" is adding 23 percent when going from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven day" Nielsen ratings, the biggest percentage increase for an unscripted show on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox or CW

On Friday, Dec. 10 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Minute To Win It" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 4.5 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the hour in adults 18-49 and #1 in men 25-54 among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW.

"Minute To Win It" scored NBC's top 18-49 rating in the time period since October 8.

Friday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.4/5 in 18-49, 6.2 million viewers overall) attracted its biggest overall audience for a Friday telecast since October 8 and matched its highest 18-49 rating since that same date.  In its two-hour time period, "Dateline" ranked #2 among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-49 and #1 in adults 25-54.

"From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Dateline" grew by 64 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.8 from a 1.1) and by 23 percent or 1.3 million persons in total viewers (to 6.9 million from 5.6 million).  For its second hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline" finished #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 and also ranked #1 in adults 25-54, adults 18-34 and other key demographics.

On Saturday, December 11 from 8-11 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of the 1946 movie classic "It's a Wonderful Life" (1.2/4 in 18-49, 4.9 million viewers overall) was up 9 percent in both 18-49 rating and total viewers versus its telecast on the same night last year (a 1.1/4 in 18-49 and 4.5 million viewers overall on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009).  In its time period, "It's a Wonderful Life" tied for #2 in adults 18-49 and was #2 outright in adults 25-54 and total viewers.

From its first half-hour to its sixth, "It's a Wonderful Life" increased by 50 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.5 from a 1.0) and by 34 percent or 1.5 million persons in total viewers (to 5.8 million from 4.3 million).  For its final hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, "It's a Wonderful Life" ranked #1 among the major networks in adults, men and women 18-49; adult, men and women 25-54; and total viewers.

"It's a Wonderful Life" matched NBC's top 18-49 average for a Saturday night since encores of "America's Got Talent" scored a 1.4 on June 5 and earned NBC's biggest overall audience for a Saturday night since coverage of golf's U.S. Open averaged 5.8 million viewers on June 19.

This marks NBC's 29^th primetime telecast of "It's a Wonderful Life," directed by Frank Capra and starring Jimmy Stewart, since the movie was brought to broadcast network television in 1994.  In 2006, the American Film Institute named "It's a Wonderful Life" the most inspiring movie of all time in its list of America's 100 Most Inspiring Movies.

On Sunday Dec. 12, the "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the Philadelphia Eagles at the Dallas Cowboys propelled NBC to a dominant primetime win in all key measures - adults, men and women 18-34; adults, men and women 18-49; and adults, men and women 25-54, teens 12-17 and total viewers.  For its full duration, the Eagles-Cowboys NFL game averaged a 9.5/24 in adults 18-49, 25.7 million viewers overall and a 15.2/24 household rating/share from 8:31-11:33 p.m. ET. 

Sunday's Eagles-Cowboys game was up 22 percent in 18-49 rating and 23 percent or more than 4.8 million persons in total viewers versus the "Sunday Night Football" game that aired during the same week last year (a 7.8/20 in 18-49 and 20.882 million viewers overall for the Eagles-Giants match-up on December 13, 2009).

NBC's margin of victory over the #2 network in primetime Sunday night was 90 percent in 18-49 rating (a 7.8 vs. a 4.1 for CBS, which was boosted by an NFL overrun) and 44 percent in total viewers (21.5 million vs. 14.9 million for CBS).   

Also on Sunday, "Football Night in America 2" from 7:30-7:54 p.m. ET averaged a 2.8/8 in 18-49, 7.6 million viewers overall and a 4.6/8 household rating/share.  "Football Night in America 3" from 7:54-8:21 p.m. delivered a 4.2/11 in 18-49, 11.9 million viewers overall and a 7.2/11 in households.  From 8:21-8:31 p.m., "NBC Sunday Night Football Pre Kickoff" averaged a 6.1/16 in 18-49, 17.7 million viewers overall and a 10.5/17 in households.  Note: "Football Night in America" from 7-7:30 p.m. ET was sustaining programming and does not figure in the nightly or weekly primetime averages.   

To post a comment, you must register and login.