NBC 'Sunday Night Football' Is #1 Primetime Program for Adults 18 - 49

Led by "NBC Sunday Night Football," which was the #1 primetime program of the week in adults 18-49, NBC averaged a 2.4 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49 and 7.1 million viewers overall, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research. For the week, NBC tied for #3 among the broadcast networks in adults 18-49, ranked #3 outright in adults 18-34 and was #2 or tied for #2 in all key adult male demographics - men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54. NBC tied ABC for the week in 18-49 rating (2.4) and topped ABC by 3 percent in adult 18-49 viewers (3.122 million vs. 3.026 million).

This week's "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast, in which the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Jets 34-17, was the #1 program of the week in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, as well as adults 18-34 and all key adult-male demos - men 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54. Also ranking among the top 20 primetime programs of the week on the broadcast networks in adults 18-49 was "The Office," which ranked #16 (tied; rankings exclude NBC NFL pre-game telecasts).

Primetime averages for the week of September 26-October 2 in adults 18-49 were CBS (3.2/9), Fox (2.8/8), NBC and ABC (2.4/7) and CW (0.8/2). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (12.2 million), ABC (8.7 million), Fox (7.4 million), NBC (7.1 million) and CW (1.8 million).

NBC highlights for the week of September 26-October 2:

* On Sunday, NBC Sports' "Sunday Night Football" telecast of the New York Jets at the Baltimore Ravens fueled a Sunday primetime win in virtually all key measures - adults, men and women 18-49; adults, men and women 18-34; adults and men 25-54; as well as total viewers.

* NBC topped its closest primetime competitor Sunday night by 91 percent in adults 18-49 and 19 percent in total viewers.

* Sunday's Jets-Ravens game was the highest-rated "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast ever in adults 18-49, total viewers and other measures to compete head to head with a Major League Baseball Divisional Series game.

* On Friday, "Dateline" reported growth of 46 percent in adults 18-49 and 40 percent in total viewers from its first half-hour to its fourth. For its second hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline" ranked #1 (tied) in adults 18-49.

* On Thursday, "Community" posted week-to-week growth in adults 18-49 and total viewers and was up 20 percent in 18-49 rating versus its average in last May's sweep, despite competition that included Fox's "The X Factor," CBS's "Big Bang Theory" and ABC's "Charlie's Angels."

* "Parks and Recreation" on Thursday built on its "Community" lead-in by 17 percent in 18-49 rating to match NBC's top non-sports rating in this time period since December 2, 2010.

* Also on Thursday, "The Office" finished within 2 shares of the time-period lead in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 ahead of Fox's "The X Factor," ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and CBS's "Person of Interest" in adults 18-34, men 18-34 and men 18-49.

* "Whitney" on Thursday tied for #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in men 18-34 in a tough time period against the concluding half-hours of Fox's "X Factor," ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and CBS's "Person of Interest." "Whitney" retained 71 percent of its "Office" lead-in among adults 18-49 and 81 percent in total viewers

* On Wednesday, "Up All Night" was up 62 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC's average in this time period last season. Versus NBC's performance in the slot on the same night last year, "Up All Night" was up 40 percent in adults 18-49.

* Also on Wednesday, "Harry's Law" attracted NBC's biggest overall viewership in the time period on an in-season Wednesday since February 2 and was up 33 percent versus NBC's total-viewer average in the hour last season.

* On Tuesday, "Parenthood" grew versus the prior week by 5 percent in both adults 18-49 and total viewers. Versus the same night last year, "Parenthood" was up 10 percent in adults 18-49 and 15 percent in total viewers.

* In its time period, "Parenthood" ranked #2 among the broadcast networks in adults 18-49 - finishing within 0.3 of a rating point of #1 - and was #1 in adults, men and women 18-34.

* Also on Tuesday, "The Biggest Loser" matched its prior week's premiere rating in adults 18-49 in a highly competitive time period that included Fox's "Glee," "The New Girl" and "Raising Hope," CBS's "NCIS" and "NCIS: Los Angeles" and ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" Results Show. Despite this competition, "Biggest Loser" gained 14 percent in adults 18-49 from its first half-hour to its fourth.

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 September 26-October 2:

On Monday, September 26 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Sing-Off" averaged a 1.7 rating, 4 share in 18-49 and 4.5 million viewers overall in an extraordinarily competitive time period that included Fox's two-hour premiere of "Terra Nova," CBS's "Two and a Half Men," "How I Met Your Mother," "2 Broke Girls" and "Mike and Molly" and ABC's "Dancing With the Stars."

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, "The Playboy Club" delivered a 1.3/3 in adults 18-49 and 4.0 million viewers overall.

On Tuesday, September 27 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser" (2.3/6 in adults 18-49, 5.9 million viewers overall) matched its prior week's premiere rating in adults 18-49 in a highly competitive time period that included Fox's "Glee," "The New Girl" and "Raising Hope," CBS's "NCIS" and "NCIS: Los Angeles" and ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" Results Show. From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Biggest Loser" gained 14 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 2.4 from a 2.1).

Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Parenthood" (2.2/6 in 18-49, 5.5 million viewers overall) was up week to week by 5 percent in both adults 18-49 (to a 2.2 rating from a 2.1) and total viewers (5.532 million vs. 5.279 million). In the time period, "Parenthood" ranked #2 among the broadcast networks in adults, men and women18-49, finishing within 0.3 of a rating point of #1 in adults 18-49, and was #1 in adults, men and women 18-34.

Versus the same night last year, "Parenthood" was up 10 percent in 18-49 rating (2.2 vs. 2.0) and 15 percent in total viewers (5.532 million vs. 4.829 million).

On Wednesday, September 28 at 8 p.m. ET, "Up All Night" (2.1/6 in 18-49, 5.3 million viewers overall) was up 62 percent in adults 18-49 versus NBC's 1.3 average in this time period last season ("live plus same day," non-sports), despite intense slot competition that included Fox's "The X Factor," CBS's "Survivor" and ABC's "The Middle." Versus NBC's results in this half-hour on the same night last year, "Up All Night" was up 40 percent (2.1 vs. 1.5).

In this highly competitive time period, "Up All Night" tied for #2 among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-34 and ranked #1 outright in women 18-34.

At 8:30 p.m. ET, "Free Agents" averaged 1.0/3 in 18-49 and 3.1 million viewers against competition that included the second half-hour of Fox's "X Factor," the second half-hour of CBS's "Survivor" and the series premiere of ABC's "Suburgatory."

Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, "Harry's Law" averaged a 1.2/3 in adults 18-49 and 7.6 million viewers overall, maintaining its premiere-week rating of the week before in 18-49 and growing 1 percent in total viewers (7.630 million vs. 7.532 million).

In total viewers, "Harry's Law" delivered NBC's biggest overall viewership in this time period on an in-season Wednesday since February 2 and through two weeks of the season has now generated NBC's two biggest total-viewer results in the time period on regular-season Wednesdays since that same February 2 date. Versus NBC's total-viewer average in this time period last season, "Harry's Law" was up 33 percent (7.630 million vs. 5.752 million, "live plus same day," non-sports).

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" averaged a 2.1/5 in adults 18-49 and 7.2 million viewers overall. "SVU" built on its lead-in by 75 percent in 18-49 rating, while competing 10 p.m. dramas on ABC and CBS were down versus their lead-ins.

On Thursday, September 29 at 8 p.m. ET, "Community" (1.8/5 in 18-49, 4.0 million viewers overall) was up week to week by 6 percent in 18-49 rating (with a 1.8 vs. a 1.7) and 1 percent in total viewers (3.977 million vs. 3.928 million). "Community" matched NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period since February 3, excluding sports.

Versus its average in last May's sweep, "Community" was up 20 percent in 18-49 rating (1.8 vs. 1.5) and 17 percent in total viewers (3.977 million vs. 3.385 million) despite time-period competition that included Fox's "The X Factor," CBS's "Big Bang Theory" and ABC's "Charlie's Angels."

At 8:30 p.m. ET, "Parks and Recreation" (2.1/6 in 18-49, 4.3 million viewers overall) matched NBC's top non-sports 18-49 rating in this time period since December 2, 2010. In total viewers, "Parks" delivered NBC's top non-sports result in the half-hour since December 9, 2010. "Parks and Recreation" ranked #2 in the half-hour among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-34 and was #1 in men 18-34, topping "X Factor," CBS's premiere of "How To Be A Gentleman" and ABC's "Charlie's Angels" in that demo.

"Parks and Recreation" built on its lead-in by 17 percent in 18-49 rating in a time period where NBC was on average flat last season versus original lead-ins from "Community."

Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, "The Office" (3.5/9 in 18-49, 6.7 million viewers overall) finished within 2 shares of the time-period lead in adults 18-49 and was #1 ahead of Fox's "X Factor," ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and CBS's "Person of Interest" in adults 18-34, men 18-34 and men 18-49.

Thursday from 9:31-10 p.m. ET, "Whitney" (2.5/6 in adults 18-49, 5.4 million viewers overall) tied for #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in men 18-34 in a tough time period against the concluding half-hours of Fox's "X Factor," ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and CBS's "Person of Interest." "Whitney" retained 71 percent of its "Office" lead-in among adults 18-49 and 81 percent in total viewers.

Thursday at 10 p.m. ET, "Prime Suspect" averaged a 1.5/4 in 18-49 and 5.7 million viewers overall. Versus NBC's results in this hour on the same night last year, "Prime Suspect" was up 15 percent in 18-49 rating (1.5 vs. 1.3) and 58 percent in total viewers (5.7 million vs. 3.6 million).

On Friday, September 30 at 8 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "Up All Night" (0.8/3 in 18-49, 2.9 million viewers overall) matched NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the time period in 11 weeks (since July 15). At 8:30 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Whitney" (0.9/3, 2.8 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 13 percent to match NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this slot in 15 weeks (since June 17).

Friday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.6/5 in 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the time period among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-49 and total viewers. Versus its 8-10 p.m. telecast on the same night last year, "Dateline" was up 23 percent in 18-49 rating (1.6 vs. 1.3).

From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Dateline" reported growth of 46 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.9 from a 1.3) and 40 percent or 2.0 million persons in total viewers (7.1 million vs. 5.1 million). For its second hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline" tied for #1 in adults 18-49 with CBS's "Blue Bloods."

On Saturday, October 1 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Harry's Law" averaged a 0.5/2 in 18-49 and 4.1 million viewers overall, attracting NBC's biggest total viewership in the time period since March 12. From its first half-hour to its second, "Harry's Law" grew by 16 percent in total viewers (to 4.461 million from 3.844 million).

Saturday at 9 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "Prime Suspect" delivered a 0.6/2 in 18-49 and 4.6 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its second, "Prime Suspect" grew by 40 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 0.7 from a 0.5) and by 8 percent in total viewers (4.725 million vs. 4.390 million).

At 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1.0/3 in 18-49, 5.2 million viewers overall) increased versus the prior week in this time period by 25 percent in 18-49 rating (1.0 vs. 0.8) and 10 percent in total viewers (5.162 million vs. 4.698 million). "SVU" matched its highest 18-49 rating for a Saturday rebroadcast since May 14 and tracked down its biggest overall audience for a Saturday encore since April 2.

On Sunday, October 2, the "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the New York Jets at the Baltimore Ravens fueled a Sunday primetime win in adults 18-49, total viewers and virtually all key measures. For its full duration, the Jets-Ravens game averaged a 7.7/19 in adults 18-49, 18.9 million viewers overall and an 11.5/18 household rating/share from 8:32-11:35 p.m. ET.

This was the highest-rated "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast ever in adults 18-49, total viewers and other measures to compete head to head with a Major League Baseball Divisional Series game.

NBC won Sunday night in nearly all key ratings categories - adults, men and women 18-49; adults, men and women 18-34; adults and men 25-54; plus total viewers. NBC's margin of victory over the #2 network was 91 percent in 18-49 rating (6.7 vs. a 3.5 for CBS which was boosted by an NFL overrun) and 19 percent, or 2.7 million persons in total viewers (16.6 million vs. 13.9 million for CBS).

Also on Sunday, "Football Night in America 2" from 7:30-7:58 p.m. ET averaged a 2.9/8 in 18-49, 6.9 million viewers overall and a 4.2/7 household rating/share. "Football Night in America 3" from 7:58-8:20 p.m. delivered a 3.8/10 in 18-49, 9.5 million viewers overall and a 5.7/9 in households. From 8:20-8:32 p.m., "NBC Sunday Night Football Pre Kickoff" averaged a 5.3/14 in 18-49, 14.1 million viewers overall and an 8.4/14 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.