NBC Is #2 in Adults 18-49 for the Primetime Week of Dec. 12-18

Led by "NBC Sunday Night Football" and two Monday telecasts of "Fear Factor," which ranked among the top programs of the week in adults 18-49, NBC ranked #2 for the week in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures, averaging a 2.0 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 6.2 million viewers overall for the week of December 12-18, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

NBC ranked #2 among the broadcast networks this week in adults and men 18-49 and adults and men 25-54, and was #1 among men 18-34. This marks the third week in a row that NBC ranked #2 in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49.

This week's "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast, in which the San Diego Chargers dominated the Baltimore Ravens 34-14, was the #1 primetime program of the week in the key demographic of adults 18-49, as well as adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and all key adult-male demographics - men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54. Also ranking among the top programs of the week in 18-49 were NBC's two Monday telecasts of "Fear Factor" -- the 9 p.m. ET "Fear Factor" ranked #8 and the 8 p.m. "Fear Factor" ranked #11 (tied). Among adults 18-34, "Sunday Night Football" was the #1 primetime program of the week, the 9 p.m. "Fear Factor" ranked #3 and the 8 p.m. "Fear Factor" ranked #10 (rankings exclude NFL overruns and pre- and post-game telecasts.

Primetime averages for the week of December 12-18 in adults 18-49 were CBS (2.8/8), NBC (2.0/6), Fox (1.9/5), ABC (1.3/4) and CW (0.4/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (11.4 million), NBC (6.2 million), Fox (5.6 million), ABC (5.0 million) and CW (1.1 million).

NBC highlights for the week of December 12-18:

* On Sunday, NBC Sports' "Sunday Night Football" telecast of the Baltimore Ravens at the San Diego Chargers led NBC to a Sunday primetime win in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and all key adult-male demographics.

* On Friday, "Grimm" was the top-rated show of the night on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-49.

* "Grimm" built on its lead-in by 67 percent in adults 18-49 and 60 percent in total viewers to rank #1 in its time period among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and other key demographics.

* So far this season, "Grimm" has been adding an average 55 percent to its next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 rating when Nielsen reports time-shifted "live plus seven day" results, making "Grimm" the #1 new show and the #2 program overall on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox in terms of percentage gains in 18-49 rating going from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven day" results.

* Also on Friday, "Dateline NBC" ranked #1 in the 10 p.m. ET hour in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and other key demographics.

* NBC ranked #1 in primetime Friday night among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and other key demographics, marking the second week in a row that NBC has ranked #1 or tied for #1 in adults 18-49 on Friday night.

* On Wednesday, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: SVU" built on its lead-in by 57 percent in 18-49 rating. The "SVU" rebroadcast grew from its first half-hour to its second in all key ratings categories, including a gain of 30 percent in adults 18-49.

* On Tuesday, the season finale of "The Biggest Loser" weighed in the show's heaviest numbers of the season in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. The "Loser" finale also generated NBC's heftiest 18-49 and total-viewer results of the season in the Tuesday 9-11 p.m. time period.

* "The Biggest Loser" finale grew from its first hour to its second in all key ratings categories and for its second hour from 10-11 p.m. ET ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in all key demographic measures - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

* On Monday, the premiere of "Fear Factor" scared up NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period, excluding Olympics, since February 25, 2008. "Fear Factor" ranked #2 among the broadcast networks in the competitive hour in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and total viewers and was #1 in adults and men 18-34.

* Also on Monday, a second episode of "Fear Factor" built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 6 percent in 18-49 rating to score NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the hour since September 20, 2010. The second "Fear Factor" ranked #2 among the broadcast networks in the 9 p.m. hour in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and total viewers and was #1 in adults, men and women 18-34.

* Additionally on Monday, "Rock Center with BrIan Williams" grew week to week by 22 percent in 18-49 rating and 17 percent in total viewers to equal its top 18-49 rating to date.

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 12-18:

On Monday, December 12 at 8 p.m. ET, the premiere of "Fear Factor" (3.3 rating, 9 share in adults 18-49, 8.8 million viewers overall) scared up NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period, excluding Olympics, since February 25, 2008 ("Deal or No Deal"). In total viewers, it was NBC's biggest overall audience in the time period in a year (since December 20, 2010, "The Sing Off").

"Fear Factor" ranked #2 among the broadcast networks in the hour in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key measures and was #1 in adults and men 18-34 in a competitive hour that included CBS's hour of "2 Broke Girls" (including a first-run episode), Fox's "Terra Nova" and ABC's encore holiday special "I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown."

From its first half-hour to its second, "Fear Factor" grew by 24 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 3.6 rating from a 2.9) and 11 percent in total viewers (9.2 million vs. 8.3 million).

Monday at 9 p.m. ET, a second episode of "Fear Factor" (3.5/8 in 18-49, 8.5 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 6 percent in 18-49 rating to deliver NBC's highest rating in the slot since September 20, 2010 (the premiere of "The Event"). In total viewers, it was NBC's biggest overall audience in the hour since July 4, 2011 ("Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular").

"Fear Factor" ranked #2 among the broadcast networks in the 9 p.m. hour in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key measures and was #1 in adults, men and women 18-34 in a competitive hour that included CBS's "Two and a Half Men" and "Mike and Molly," ABC's "You Deserve It" and Fox's "House" encore.

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, "Rock Center with BrIan Williams" (1.1/3 in 18-49, 4.0 million viewers overall) was up week to week by 22 percent in 18-49 rating (1.1 vs. 0.9) and 17 percent in total viewers (4.003 million vs. 3.421 million). "Rock Center" equaled its top 18-49 rating to date.

NBC ranked #2 among the broadcast networks Monday night in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key measures, tied for #1 in adults 18-34 and was #1 outright in men 18-34.

On Tuesday, December 13 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "William & Kate: Inside the Royal Marriage" averaged a 1.2/3 in 18-49 and 5.3 million viewers overall in a competitive time period versus CBS's "NCIS," Fox's "Glee" and ABC's "Last Man Standing." From its first half-hour to its second, "William & Kate: Inside the Royal Marriage" grew in all key measures, including gains of 8 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.3 rating from a 1.2), 9 percent in women 25-54 (to a 2.4 from a 2.2) and 25 percent in women 18-34 (1.0 vs. 0.8).

Tuesday from 9-11 p.m. ET, the finale of "The Biggest Loser 12" (2.7/7 in 18-49, 7.8 million viewers overall) set new season highs in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. "The Biggest Loser" also generated NBC's heftiest 18-49 and total-viewer results in the Tuesday 9-11 p.m. time period so far this season. Versus the prior week, "Loser" was up 23 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.7 from a 2.2) and up 17 percent or more than 1.1 million persons in total viewers (7.811 million vs. 6.668 million).

"The Biggest Loser" finale grew from its first hour to its second in all key measures, including gains of 12 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 2.9 rating from a 2.6) and 13 percent in adults 25-54 (3.5 vs. 3.1). For its second hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Biggest Loser" ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in all key demographic measures - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

On Wednesday, December 14 from 8-9 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "Up All Night" averaged a 1.1/3 in adults 18-49 and 3.5 million viewers overall. Note that so far this season first-run telecasts of "Up All Night" have been adding on average 47 percent to these next-day "live plus same day" ratings when Nielsen issues "live plus seven day" results. From 8:30-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Whitney" (1.1/3 in 18-49, 3.2 million viewers overall) retained 100 percent of its 18-49 lead-in from "Up All Night" and built on that lead-in among adults, men and women 18-34.

Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "Harry's Law" averaged a 0.7/2 in adults 18-49 and 4.1 million viewers overall. Note that first-run episodes of "Harry's Law" have been adding 41 percent in 18-49 rating and 30 percent in total viewers to these next-day "live plus same day" results when Nielsen issues "live plus seven day" results so far this season.

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1.1/3 in 18-49, 4.3 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 57 percent in 18-49 rating. From its first half-hour to its second, the "SVU" rebroadcast grew in all key ratings categories, including gains of 30 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.3 from a 1.0) and 10 percent in total viewers (4.6 million vs. 4.1 million). Note that, so far this season, first-run episodes of "SVU" have been adding 45 percent in 18-49 rating and 31 percent in total viewers to their next-day "live plus same day" results when Nielsen issues "live plus seven day" results

On Thursday, December 15 at 8 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Community" averaged a 0.7/2 in 18-49 and 2.3 million viewers overall in a time period that included Fox's "X Factor," ABC's "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and CBS's "Big Bang Theory" encore. Note that on average this season "Community" originals have been adding 39 percent to their next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 ratings when Nielsen reports additional time-shifted viewing in "live plus seven day" ratings.

Thursday at 8:30 ET, a rebroadcast of "Parks and Recreation" averaged a 0.7/2 in 18-49 and 1.7 million viewers overall. Keep in mind that on average this season, original telecasts of "Parks" have been adding 34 percent to their next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 rating when Nielsen includes additional time-shifted viewing in "live plus seven day" ratings.

Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "The Office" (1.1/3 in 18-49, 2.4 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 57 percent in 18-49 rating and 39 percent in total viewers. Note that on average this season, "Office" originals have been adding 43 percent to their next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 ratings when Nielsen reports additional time-shifted viewing in "live plus seven day" ratings.

Thursday at 9:31 ET, a rebroadcast of "Whitney" averaged a 0.8/2 in adults 18-49 and 2.0 million viewers overall. On average this season, first-run episodes of "Whitney" have been adding 34 percent to their next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 ratings when Nielsen reports additional time-shifted viewing in "live plus seven day" ratings.

At 10 p.m. ET, "Prime Suspect" averaged a 0.9/2 in adults 18-49 and 3.7 million viewers overall. "Prime Suspect" built on its lead-in by 13 percent in 18-49 rating and 84 percent in total viewers. Note that on average this season, original episodes of "Prime Suspect" have been adding 36 percent to their next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 ratings when Nielsen reports additional time-shifted viewing in "live plus seven day" ratings.

On Friday, December 16 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Chuck" averaged a 0.9/3 in 18-49 and 3.2 million viewers overall. "Chuck" ranked #2 in the hour among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in men 18-49 and tied for #1 in men 25-54. Note that on average this season, "Chuck" originals have been adding 43 percent to their next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 ratings when Nielsen reports additional time-shifted viewing in "live plus seven day" ratings.

Friday at 9 p.m. ET, "Grimm" (1.5/5 in 18-49, 5.2 million viewers overall) was the top-rated show of the night on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-49. "Grimm" ranked #1 in the hour among those networks in adults 18-49, men 18-49, women 18-49 (tied) and adults, men and women 25-54.

"Grimm" built on its lead-in by 67 percent in 18-49 rating and 60 percent in total viewers and was up 15 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC's average in this time period last season (1.5 vs. 1.3, "live plus same day," non-sports).

So far this season, "Grimm" has been adding an average 55 percent to its next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 rating when Nielsen reports time-shifted "live plus seven day" results (to a 2.78 rating from a 1.79). This makes "Grimm" the #1 new show and the #2 program overall on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox in terms of percentage gains in 18-49 rating going from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven day" results.

Friday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.3/4 in adults 18-49, 6.1 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in the hour in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and other key demographics. "Dateline" increased from its first half-hour to its second by 11 percent in adults 25-54 (to a 2.0 rating from a 1.8) and by 10 percent in total viewers (6.4 million vs. 5.8 million).

NBC ranked #1 for the night among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and other key demographics. This marked the second week in a row that NBC has ranked #1 or tied for #1 in adults 18-49 on Friday night.

On Saturday, December 17 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Grimm" averaged a 0.5/2 in 18-49 and 2.0 million viewers overall.

At 9 p.m. ET, "WWE Tribute to the Troops" delivered a 0.6/2 in 18-49 and 2.1 million viewers overall, building on its lead-in by 20 percent in 18-49 rating.

At 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (0.9/3 in 18-49, 3.5 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 50 percent in 18-49 rating and 67 percent in total viewers. "SVU" ranked #2 among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 and tied for #1 in men 18-49 and women 18-34. "SVU" grew from its first half-hour to its second in all key measures, including gains of 25 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.0 from a 0.8) and 21 percent in total viewers (3.812 million vs. 3.140 million).

On Sunday, December 18, the "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the Baltimore Ravens at the San Diego Chargers led NBC to a primetime win in adults 18-49 and other key demographic measures. For its full duration, the Ravens-Chargers game averaged a 6.1/15 in adults 18-49, 16.6 million viewers overall and a 10.1/16 household rating/share from 8:31-11:04 p.m. ET.

NBC ranked #1 in primetime Sunday night in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and all key adult-male demographics - men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

Also on Sunday, "Football Night in America 2" from 7:30-7:57 p.m. ET averaged a 2.3/7 in 18-49, 6.1 million viewers overall and a 3.8/6 household rating/share. "Football Night in America 3" from 7:57-8:22 p.m. delivered a 3.3/9 in 18-49, 8.9 million viewers overall and a 5.7/9 in households. From 8:22-8:31 p.m., "NBC Sunday Night Football Pre Kickoff" averaged a 4.2/11 in 18-49, 11.9 million viewers overall and a 7.3/12 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.

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