NBC has finished #2 in adults 18-49 in ratings results for the primetime week of April 30-May 6, and also ranked #2 or tied for #2 among the Big 4 networks in adults , men and women 18-34 and men and women 18-49, according to "live plus same day" figures from Nielsen Media Research.
Leading NBC's week was the Monday edition of "The Voice," which ranked #6 among primetime programs on ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in adults 18-49. Joining Monday's "Voice" among the top 30 shows on that list are Tuesday's "Voice," "Law & Order: SVU" and "Chicago P.D." (all tied for #12), Saturday's Penguins-Capitals Stanley Cup Playoff hockey (tied for #20), "Chicago Fire" and "Chicago Med" (tied for #24) and "Good Girls" (tied for #20).
In adults 18-49, NBC is dominating the current primetime season, with leads over #2 CBS of +0.6 of a rating point or +38% (2.2 vs. 1.6). The +38% advantage is the best for any #1 network at this point in the season in 10 years (since FOX led by +40% in 2007-08) and the second-best in the 30-year history of Nielsen's current people-meter sample.
Season to date, NBC is also running #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in every other key ratings measure, including total viewers, for the first time since 2001-02. Excluding all sports, NBC is running closer to CBS at this point in the season in total viewers than it's been in 15 years, since 2002-03 (currently within 1.6 million total viewers of CBS excluding sports, best since the gap was 706,000 in 2002-03).
Counting entertainment programming only, NBC leads the season in adults 18-49, and also ranks #1 or tied for #1 among the Big 4 in adults 25-54, men 18-49, women 18-49 and women 25-54.
Weekly ratings are "live plus same day" figures from Nielsen Media Research unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date ratings are averages of "live plus seven day" data except for the two most recent weeks, which are "live plus same day."
Week 32 Averages
Adult 18-49 Rating, "live plus same day," April 30-May 6
ABC...1.1
NBC...0.9
CBS...0.8
Fox...0.7
CW...0.3
Total Viewers
CBS...6.7 million
ABC...4.9 million
NBC...4.5 million
Fox...2.5 million
CW...1.0 million
Season-to-Date Averages
Adult 18-49 Rating, "Most Current"
NBC...2.2
CBS...1.6
Fox...1.5
ABC...1.5
CW...0.6
Total Viewers
NBC...9.1 million
CBS...9.0 million
ABC...6.1 million
Fox...5.0 million
CW...1.7 million
NBC highlights for the week of April 30-May 6:
Monday
NBC won Monday night in total viewers among the Big 4 networks for a 12th consecutive week and for an 11th time in 12 weeks in 18-49. NBC led the night among the Big 4 in every key ratings measures and swept six of six half-hours in adults 18-49.
"The Voice" (1.7/7 in 18-49, 8.8 million viewers overall from 8-10:01 p.m. ET) ranked as the #1 show of the night on the Big 4 networks in 18-49 and total viewers, growing +13% week to week in 18-49 (1.7 vs. 1.5) and +4% in total viewer (8.8 million vs. 8.4 million). "Voice" beat ABC's premiere of "Dancing With the Stars: Athletes" head to head from 8-10 p.m. by a +55% margin in 18-49 (1.7 vs. 1.1) and in total viewers by +4% (8.8 million vs. 8.5 million).
"Live Plus Three Day" Ratings: "Voice" increased by +14% in 18-49 (from a 1.66 rating to a 1.90) and +1.1 million viewers overall (8.8 million to 9.9 million) going from "live plus same day" Nielsens to L+3.
"Live Plus Seven Day" Ratings: Monday's "The Voice" has grown by +25% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 2.13 to a 2.67) and more than +1.9 million viewers overall (10.4 million to 12.3 million). When projected 35-day non-linear viewing is included, the "Voice" 18-49 rating increases to a 3.47.
Upscale: "The Voice" is delivering a solid upscale audience, generating a 108 index among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (with 100 representing an average concentration of those homes, according to "most current" Nielsens, including L+3).
The season finale of "Good Girls" (0.9/4 in 18-49, 4.0 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) won the 10 p.m. hour among the ABC, CBS and NBC dramas in adults 18-49, as well as every other key demographic (including a tie among men 25-54), delivering a dominating +50% margin among those nets over CBS' second-place season premiere of "Elementary" (0.9 vs. 0.6). "Good Girls" concluded its season having finished #1 or tied for #1 in the timeslot among ABC, CBS and NBC in 18-49 for its last five telecasts in a row. L+3:"Good Girls" grew by +44% in 18-49 (0.88 to 1.27) and +1.2 million viewers overall (4.0 million to 5.2 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens.
Tuesday
"The Voice" (1.2/6 in 18-49, 7.6 million viewers overall from 8-9:01 p.m. ET) grew +18% from its first half-hour to its second in every key measure. In the timeslot, "The Voice" tied for #2 among the Big 4 networks. L+3: "The Voice" grew by +14% in 18-49 (1.25 to 1.42) and +828,000 viewers overall (7.6 million to 8.5 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: Tuesday's "Voice" has increased by +24% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 2.02 to a 2.51) and more than +1.8 million viewers overall (10.1 million to 12.0 million). With the addition of projected 35-day non-linear ratings, the Tuesday "Voice" 18-49 figure grows to a 3.34.
"Rise" (0.7/3 in 18-49, 3.7 million viewers overall from 9:01-10 p.m. ET) maintained 100% week to week in 18-49 (0.7 vs. 0.7) and grew in the adult 18-34 demo. L+3: "Rise" increased by +36% in 18-49 (0.67 to 0.91) and +955,000 viewers overall (3.7 million to 4.7 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens.Upscale: "Rise" is generating a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 119 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes.
"Chicago Med" (1.0/4 in 18-49, 5.8 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) finished #1 in the time period among the ABC, CBS and NBC dramas in adults 18-49 and is #1 or tied for #1 among those dramas in adults, men and women 18-34; men and women 18-49; and women 25-54. "Med" remained undefeated in the timeslot when in original this season versus regular ABC and CBS competition in adults 18-49, finishing #1 or tied for #1 versus that competition with 18 of 18 first-run telecasts (L+SD). L+3: "Med" grew by +66% in 18-49 (0.97 to 1.61) and more than +2.8 million viewers overall (5.8 million to 8.7 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: "Med" is increasing by +73% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.26 to a 2.18) and +3.9 million viewers overall (6.8 million to 10.7 million). When projected 35-day non-linear viewing is included, the "Med" 18-49 rating increases to a 2.93.
Wednesday
"The Blacklist" (0.8/4 in 18-49, 5.5 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) retained 100% of tis prior telecast in 18-49 and grew +6% in total viewers (5.5 million vs. 5.2 million) to generate its most-watched episode since March 14 (5.546 million). L+3: "Blacklist" increased by +45% in 18-49 (0.85 to 1.23) and +1.9 million viewers overall (5.5 million to 7.4 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: "Blacklist" is growing by +73% in 18-49 rating this season going from L+SD to L+7 (0.96 to a 1.66) and +3.1 million viewers overall (5.7 million to 8.8 million). Upscale: "Blacklist" delivers a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 128 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (with 100 representing an average concentration of those homes).
"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1.2/5 in 18-49, 6.2 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) tied for #1 in the timeslot among the Big 4 networks in 18-49 and won the competitive hour outright in total viewers versus Fox's "Star" and ABC's "Modern Family." "SVU" grew half-hour to half-hour in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and total viewers, while the other three Big 4 networks were flat or down in all three categories from half-hour to half-hour. L+3: "SVU" grew +52% in 18-49 (1.21 to 1.84) and more than +2.0 million viewers overall (6.2 million to 8.3 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens, for the biggest L+3 lift of the night in total viewers. L+7: "SVU" has grown by +73% this season in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.28 to a 2.22) and +2.9 million viewers overall (6.0 million to 8.9 million). When projected 35-day non-linear viewing is included, the "SVU" 18-49 rating increases to a 3.43.
"Chicago P.D." (1.2/5 in 18-49, 6.0 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) locked up the 10 p.m. hour among the ABC, CBS and NBC dramas in 18-49, 25-54, total viewers and every other key measure. "P.D." maintained 100% of its prior original in 18-49 (1.2 vs. 1.2 on April 18) and has now won the timeslot or tied for #1 versus regular ABC and CBS competition with its last 37 straight original telecasts in adults 18-49 (L+SD), extending back to October 2016. L+3: "P.D." grew by +55% in 18-49 (1.17 to 1.81) and +3.0 million viewers overall (6.0 million to 9.0 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens, for the biggest L+3 lift of the night in total viewers. L+7: "Chicago P.D." is increasing by +88% in 18-49 rating this season going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.20 to a 2.25) and +4.1 million viewers overall (6.4 million to 10.5 million). With the addition of projected 35-day non-linear ratings, the "P.D." figure grows to a 2.99.
Thursday
The season finale of "Superstore" (0.8/4 in 18-49, 3.0 million viewers overall from 8-8:31 p.m. ET) grew versus the prior week by +0.1 of a point or +14% increase in 18-49 and +4% increase in total viewers (3.0 million vs. 2.9 million) to deliver the show's most-watched episode since April 12 (3.1 million). L+3: "Superstore" increased by +52% in 18-49 (0.85 to 1.29) and +934,000 viewers overall (3.0 million to 3.9 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. Upscale: "Superstore" is delivering a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 122 among adults 18-49 in $100K+ homes.
The season finale of "A.P. Bio" (0.6/3 in 18-49, 2.0 million viewers overall from 8:31-9 p.m. ET) grew versus the prior week by +0.1 of a rating point or +20% in 18-49 (0.6 vs. 0.5) and also +20% in total viewers (2.0 million vs. 1.7 million). "A.P. Bio" equaled its high 18-49 rating since March 22 (0.8) and delivered its most-watched episode since April 12 (2.1 million). L+3: "A.P. Bio" grew by +44% in 18-49 going from L+SD to L+7 (0.59 to 0.85) and +572,000 viewers overall (2.0 million to 2.6 million). Upscale: "A.P. Bio" is generating a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 124 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes. Among adults 18-49 with four or more years of college, "A.P. Bio" is indexing at a 149 and ranks #3 among primetime series on the Big 4 networks.
An encore telecast of "Will & Grace" averages a 0.5/2 in 18-49 and 2.0 million viewers overall from 9-9:30 p.m. ET.
"Champions" (0.4/2 in 18-49, 1.5 million viewers overall from 9:30-10 p.m. ET) retained 100% week to week in 18-49 and grew +2% in total viewers (1.530 million vs. 1.497 million). L+3: "Champions" grew by +24% in 18-49 (0.38 to 0.47) and +230,000 viewers overall (1.5 million to 1.8 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. Upscale: "Champions" generates a solid upscale audience, indexing at a 122 among adult 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes. Among adults 18-49 with four or more years of college, "Champions" is indexing at a 137 and ranks tied for #9 among primetime series on the Big 4 networks.
"Chicago Fire" (1.0/4 in 18-49, 5.5 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) won the 10 p.m. timeslot among the ABC, CBS and NBC dramas in 18-49, 25-54, total viewers and most other measures, generating a week-to-week increase in 18-49 of +11% (1.0 vs. 0.9) to this week to equal its highest 18-49 rating since March 22 (1.2). L+3: "Fire" increased by +77% in 18-49 (1.00 to 1.77) and more than +3.2 million viewers overall (5.5 million to 8.8 million) going from L+SD to L+3, for the biggest L+3 lift of the night on the Big 4 in 18-49 percentage. L+7: "Chicago Fire" is growing by +95% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.10 to a 2.14) and +4.1 million viewers overall (6.0 million to 10.1 million) going from L+SD to L+7. With the addition of projected 35-day non-linear ratings, the "Fire" figure increases to a 2.87 in 18-49.
Friday
NBC tied for the Friday win among the Big 4 networks in 18-49.
"Blindspot" (0.5/3 in 18-49, 2.7 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) maintained 100% week to week in 18-49 and has now maintained a 0.5 rating for three weeks in a row. In total viewers, "Blindspot" grew +2% week to week (2.747 million vs. 2.685 million) to its high since March 30 (2.9 million). L+3: The prior week's "Blindspot" grew by +75% in 18-49 (0.51 to 0.89) and +1.5 million viewers overall (2.7 million to 4.2 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: "Blindspot" is increasing by +94% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 0.65 to a 1.26) and +2.1 million viewers overall (3.4 million to 5.5 million). When projected 35-day non-linear viewing is included, the "Blindspot" 18-49 rating grows to a 1.97. Upscale: "Blindspot" is generating a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 116 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (with 100 representing an average concentration of those homes).
"Dateline NBC" (0.7/3 in 18-49, 1.1 in 18-49, 4.2 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) tied as the #1 show of the night on the broadcast networks in 18-49, while equaling the show's high for a Friday edition since Jan. 12 in adults 18-49 (0.8 from 10-11 p.m.) and since Dec. 29 in adults 25-54 (1.2 from 9-11 p.m.). "Dateline" maintained 100% week to week in 18-49 (0.7 vs. 0.7), while growing +10% in 25-54 (1.1 vs. 1.0) and +2% in total viewers (4.2 million vs. 4.1 million). For its second hour from 10-11 p.m., "Dateline NBC" ranked #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54. "Dateline" was the #1 newsmagazine of the night in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and total viewers. L+3: The prior Friday's "Dateline" increased by +27% in 18-49 (0.67 to 0.85) and +939,000 viewers overall (4.1 million to 5.1 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. Upscale: Friday's "Dateline" is delivering a solid upscale audience, indexing at a 113 among adults 18-49 in $100K+ homes
Saturday
NBC Sports' 7:10-10:10 p.m. ET coverage of Stanley Cup Playoff hockey, featuring the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Washington Capitals (1.1/6 in 18-49, 4.3 million viewers overall) ranks as the second most watched early-round Stanley Cup Playoff game on record (since 1993), behind the Penguins-Capitals Round 2 Game 5 telecast on May 6, 2017 (4.4 million).
Sunday
"Dateline NBC" averaged a 0.6/3 in 18-49, 0.8 in 25-54 and 3.2 million viewers overall from 7-8 p.m. ET. L+3: The previous week's Sunday "Dateline" grew by +17% in 18-49 (0.69 to 0.81) and +494,000 viewers overall (4.3 million to 4.8 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. Upscale: Sunday's "Dateline" is indexing at a 122 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (with 100 representing an average concentration of those homes).
A special 8 p.m. telecast of "Genius Junior" (0.5/2 in 18-49, 2.8 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) built by +7% from its first half-hour to its second in total viewers (2.7 million to 2.9 million).
"Genius Junior" (0.6/2 in 18-49, 2.8 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) maintained 100% week to week in 18-49 (0.6 vs. 0.6) and built by +20% on its 18-49 lead-in in 18-49 (0.6 vs. 0.5). Upscale: "Genius Junior" is delivering a solid upscale audience, indexing at a 106 among adults 18-49 in $100K+ homes.
"Timeless" (0.5/2 in 18-49, 2.2 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) tied for #2 in the timeslot among the ABC, CBS and NBC dramas in adults 18-49 and ranked #2 outright among those dramas in men 18-49. L+3: The prior week's "Timeless" increased by +70% in 18-49 (0.57 to 0.97) and more than +1.4 million viewers overall (2.5 million to 4.0 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens, for the biggest L+3 lifts of the night on the Big 4 networks in 18-49 rating and percentage. Upscale: "Timeless" is generating a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 135 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes.
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