NBC Sweeps The Primetime Week Of 2/5-2/11

With PyeongChang Olympics coverage, "This Is Us" and "Ellen's Game of Games" accounting for six of the week's top seven primetime programs on the broadcast networks in adults 18-49, NBC has won the ratings week of Feb. 5-11 in adults 18-49 and total viewers by historic margins, according to "live plus same day" figures from Nielsen Media Research.

NBC's +27% margin over the combined Big 4 competition for the week in total viewers (with 15.816 million vs. a combined 12.436 million) is the biggest in-season win for any network, excluding SUPER BOWL weeks and full seven-night Olympic weeks, in people meter history. NBC's +185% margin over #2 CBS (15.816 million vs. 5.545 million) is NBC's biggest in-season advantage in people-meter history, excluding SUPER BOWL and full Olympic weeks.

In adults 18-49, the week also saw biggest in-season margins for NBC over both the combined Big 4 competition (+33%, 3.6 vs. a combined 2.7) and the #2 network (+260%, 3.6 vs. ABC's 1.0) in people meter history, which dates back to September 1987

Between Sunday's SUPER BOWL and Thursday's start of Olympics coverage, all eight NBC regular series generated growth in total viewers versus their prior regular telecasts:

• "The Wall" +25% or +1.3 million persons (6.748 million vs. 5.415 million) to a new season high.
• "Better Late Than Never" +11% (5.305 million vs. 4.781 million).
• "Ellen's Game of Games" +2% (7.702 million vs. 7.582 million).
• "This Is Us" +7% (10.131 million vs. 9.480 million).
• "Chicago Med" +7% (7.362 million vs. 6.849 million).
• "The Blacklist" +4% (6.351 million vs. 6.105 million).
• "SVU" +21% or +1.2 million persons (6.641 million vs. 5.484 million).
• "Chicago P.D." +7% (7.248 million vs. 6.719 million) to its most-watched regular-slot telecast since February 2016.

PyeongChang coverage accounted for the top four telecasts of the week on the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, total viewers and every other key measure. Those four telecasts were joined among the Top 25 primetime shows on the Big 4 by "This Is Us" (#5), "Ellen's Game of Games" (#7), "Chicago Med" and "The Wall" (tied for #12), "Law & Order: SVU" (tied for #16), "Chicago P.D." (tied for #18) and "Better Late Than Never" (tied for #23).

Through 20 weeks of the season, NBC has claimed the primetime 2017-18 season-to-date lead among total viewers, marking the first time NBC has ranked #1 in total viewers at any point during the season since it won the 2001-02 crown 16 years ago.

In adults 18-49, NBC is dominating the current primetime season, with leads over #2 FOX of +0.7 of a rating point or +39% (2.5 vs. 1.8). The +39% advantage is the best for any #1 network at this point in the season 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. 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, adults 18-34, men 18-49 and all key adult-female demos.

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 20 Averages

Adult 18-49 Rating, "live plus same day," Feb. 5-11

NBC...3.6

ABC...1.0

CBS...0.9

Fox...0.8

CW...0.4

Total Viewers

NBC...15.8 million

CBS...5.5 million

ABC...4.0 million

Fox...2.9 million

CW...1.4 million

Season-to-Date Averages

Adult 18-49 Rating, "Most Current"

NBC...2.5

Fox...1.8

CBS...1.7

ABC...1.4

CW...0.6

Total Viewers

NBC...9.6 million

CBS...9.4 million

ABC...5.9 million

Fox...5.9 million

CW...1.8 million

NBC highlights for the week of Feb. 5-11:

Monday

The season finale of "The Wall" (1.5/6 in 18-49, 6.7 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) achieved season highs in 18-49 and total viewers, with the show's top 18-49 rating since Feb. 7, 2017 (1.5 Tuesday at 8 p.m.) and most-watched episode since Jan. 10, 2017 (7.0 million Tuesday at 8 p.m.). "The Wall" jumped +36% week to week in 18-49 (1.5 vs. 1.1) and +1.3 million persons or +25% in total viewers (6.7 million vs. 5.4 million). Upscale: "The Wall" delivers a solid upscale audience, indexing at a 107 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (with 100 representing an average concentration of those homes).

The season finale of "Better Late Than Never" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 5.3 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) delivered a season high in 18-49, growing +22% week to week in 18-49 (1.1 vs. 0.9) and +11% in total viewers (5.3 million vs. 4.8 million). "Better Late" ranked #2 in the timeslot in total viewers and tied for #2 in 18-49. L+3: "Better Late Than Never" grew by +19% in 18-49 (1.07 to 1.27) and +897,000 viewers overall (5.3 million to 6.2 million) going from L+SD to L+3.

The NBC Sports special "The Best of U.S. -- The 2018 Winter Olympics" averaged a0.6/2 in 18-49 and 2.5 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET.

Tuesday

NBC won the night among the Big 4 in adults 18-49 and every other key demographic, sweeping six of six half-hours in adults 18-49. It's NBC's 14th consecutive Tuesday win in adults 18-49 among the Big 4 networks.

"Ellen's Game of Games" (1.9/7 in 18-49, 7.7 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) ranked as the #2 show of the night in 18-49, behind only NBC's "This Is Us." "Games" hit three-week highs in 18-49 and total viewers, best since Jan. 16 (2.2 in 18-49, 8.8 million viewers overall) and grew from half-hour to half-hour in every key ratings measure, including a gain of +18% in adults 18-49 (1.7 to 2.0) and +23% in adults 25-54 (2.2 to 2.7). L+3: "Games" grew by +11% in 18-49 (1.87 to 2.07) and +744,000 viewers overall (7.7 million to 8.4 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: "Ellen's Game of Games" has increased by +21% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.99 to a 2.40) and +1.3 million viewers overall (8.1 million to 9.4 million).

"This Is Us" (2.7/10 in 18-49, 10.1 million viewers overall from 9-10:01 p.m. ET) ranked as the #1 show of the night on the Big 4 in 18-49, growing +8% versus its prior Tuesday telecast in 18-49 (2.7 vs. 2.5 on Jan. 23) and +7% in total viewers (10.1 million vs. 9.5 million) to equal the show's highest regular-slot 18-49 rating since its fall finale on Nov. 28 (2.8) and deliver its most-watched Tuesday episode since that same Nov. 28 telecast (10.9 million). "This Is Us" won the timeslot in every key demographic, including a +125% margin in 18-49 (2.7 vs. 1.2 for "Bull").

L+3: "This Is Us" increased by +61% in 18-49 (2.69 to 4.34) and +4.6 million viewers overall (10.1 million to 14.7 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens, for the biggest L+3 lifts of the night in 18-49 rating and percentage, as well as total viewers. L+7: "This Is Us" is growing by +83% in 18-49 rating (from a 2.76 to a 5.06) and +6.3 million viewers overall (10.3 million to 16.6 million) going from L+SD to L+7. When projected 35-day non-linear viewing is included, the "Us" 18-49 rating increases to an 8.33. Upscale: "Us" is generating a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 145 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes.

"Chicago Med" (1.5/6 in 18-49, 7.4 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) equaled the show's 18-49 high since March 2, 2017 (1.7 Thursday at 9 p.m.) and tied "NCIS" as the #3 show of the night on the Big 4 in adults 18-49, behind only "This Is Us" and "Ellen's Game of Games." "Med" was up by +15% versus its prior telecast in 18-49 (1.5 vs. 1.3 on Jan. 23) and +7% in total viewers (7.4 million vs. 6.8 million) and won the slot among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and every other key demographic, with a +67% margin of victory in adults 18-49 (1.5 vs. 0.9 for CBS' #2 "NCIS: New Orleans").L+3: "Med" grew by +51% in 18-49 (1.46 to 2.20) and more than +3.2 million viewers overall (7.4 million to 10.6 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens.L+7: "Med" is increasing by +71% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.30 to a 2.22) and more than +3.9 million viewers overall (6.9 million to 10.9 million). When projected 35-day non-linear viewing is included, the "Med" 18-49 rating increases to a 2.88.

Wednesday

NBC won the night in total viewers, its fifth victory in six Wednesdays when NBC has aired original programming. In 18-49. NBC also finished within 0.1 of a point of the Wednesday win.

"The Blacklist" (1.0/4 in 18-49, 6.4 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) maintained 100% week to week in 18-49 (1.0 vs. 1.0) and grew +4% in total viewers (6.351 million vs. 6.105 million, to finish #2 in the hour in 18-49 and total viewers. L+3: "Blacklist" increased by +49% in 18-49 (1.04 to 1.55) and more than +2.2 million viewers overall (6.4 million to 8.6 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: "Blacklist" is growing by +72% in 18-49 rating this season going from L+SD to L+7 (0.97 to a 1.67) and more than +3.0 million viewers overall (5.8 million to 8.8 million). Upscale: "Blacklist" delivers a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 127 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (with 100 representing an average concentration of those homes).

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1.3/5 in 18-49, 6.6 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) won the competitive hour in total viewers and ranked #2 in 18-49, while soaring +21% or more than +1.1 million persons week to week in total viewers (6.6 million vs. 5.5 million) to top result since Nov. 29, 2017, and growing +8% in 18-49 (1.3 vs. 1.2). L+3: "SVU" grew +61% in 18-49 (1.30 to 2.09) and +2.5 million viewers overall (6.6 million to 9.1 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. The +0.79 lift in 18-49 is "SVU's" biggest of the season. L+7: "SVU" has grown by +73% this season in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.30 to a 2.25) and more than +2.9 million viewers overall (5.9 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, 7.2 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) delivered its most-watched regular-slot episode in nearly two years (since Feb. 17, 2016, 7.451 million), increasing by +7% week to week in total viewers (7.2 million vs. 6.7 million) and maintaining 100% in 18-49 (1.2 vs. 1.2). "P.D." won the time period among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and total viewers, and ranked #1 or tied for #1 among those nets in every other key measure, and has now won the slot or tied for #1 versus regular ABC and CBS competition with its last 30 straight original telecasts in adults 18-49 (L+SD), extending back to October 2016. L+3: "P.D." grew by +62% in 18-49 (1.24 to 2.01) and more than +3.3 million viewers overall (7.2 million to 10.2 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 +87% in 18-49 rating this season going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.20 to a 2.24) and +4.1 million viewers overall (6.3 million to 10.4 million). With the addition of projected 35-day non-linear ratings, the "P.D." figure grows to a 2.88.

Thursday

NBC Olympics' primetime coverage of Thursday's 2018 PyeongChang Olympics competition posted a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) average of 17.2 million viewers to rank as the most-watched Thursday night program on any network in five months, according to live plus same day official data released today by Nielsen, and digital data from Adobe Analytics.

Thursday night's presentation was highlighted by the debut of NBC's first-ever live across all time zones Winter Games coverage, as well as unprecedented live side-by-side Winter Olympics coverage on NBCSN, and live streaming of both networks via NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app.

Thursday's Total Audience Delivery average of 17.2 million viewers was the best for a Thursday night show on any network since NBC's NFL Kickoff Game on Sept. 7, 2017 (22.2 million viewers for Chiefs-Patriots). NBC Olympics' Total Audience Delivery measures broader PyeongChang Olympics consumption by calculating average minute viewing across broadcast, cable, and digital. Viewership includes West Coast primetime.

Viewership on NBC/NBCSN peaked at 19.3 million from 9-9:15 p.m. ET, which featured Nathan Chen's performance in the FIGURE SKATING team event. Thursday night's NBC/NBCSN viewership (17.1 million) exceeded by 20% the combined viewership of ABC, CBS and FOX for the night (14.3 million).

Friday

NBC's Feb. 9 coverage of the Opening Ceremony for the PyeongChang Olympics posted a Total Audience Delivery average of 28.3 million viewers to rank as the most-watched Friday night program on any network since the 2014 Sochi Olympics. NBC's 14.7/27 primetime household rating for the Opening Ceremony outperformed by 167% the combined rating of ABC, CBS and FOX for the night (5.5), to rank as the most-dominant Friday in People Meter History (Sept.-May TV season, since Sept. 1987).

The NBC television viewership of 27.8 million for the Opening Ceremony marks the largest audience on a Friday night in four years, a stretch that included four Friday WORLD SERIES games, two NBA FINALS games, three nights of 2016 Rio Olympics coverage, and two nights of the Sochi Olympics.

The 8-11:02 p.m. ET broadcast delivered the largest audience for a Friday night on any network since NBC's presentation of the 2014 Sochi Olympics Opening Ceremony (31.7 million viewers, Feb. 7, 2014). In addition, Friday's Total Audience Delivery topped by 6% the 2016 Rio Opening Ceremony (26.7 million TAD). NBC Olympics' Total Audience Delivery measures broader consumption by calculating average minute viewing across broadcast, cable, and digital.

Saturday

NBC Olympics' primetime coverage of Saturday's 2018 PyeongChang Olympics competition posted a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) average of 24.2 million viewers, topping the opening Saturday of the 2016 Rio Olympics (23.5 million). Saturday's NBC/NBCSN average of 23.9 million viewers dominated the competition - nearly quadrupling the combined 6.1 million primetime viewers for ABC, CBS and Fox.

The night's Total Audience Delivery marks the best Saturday primetime viewership for any program in February in four years - since the opening Saturday of the 2014 Sochi Games (25.1 million viewers on NBC, Feb. 8, 2014).

Feb. 10 viewership on NBC/NBCSN peaked at 25.7 million viewers from 9:45-10 p.m. ET, highlighted by American Red Gerard's gold medal performance in slopestyle. Saturday's NBC primetime coverage also featured ice dance and women's short program in the FIGURE SKATING team competition. NBCSN presented women's skiathlon, men's ski jumping, and women's biathlon in primetime.

Sunday

The opening Sunday of the PyeongChang Olympics delivered the most dominant Winter Games Sunday night ever for NBC Olympics, as primetime coverage posted a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) average of 26.0 million viewers. Sunday's NBC/NBCSN average of 25.7 million viewers dominated the TV competition - nearly tripling the combined 9.5 million primetime viewers for ABC, CBS and Fox.

The largest NBCSN evening viewership in nearly three years and the night's record-setting NBC Sports Digital consumption led to Sunday record +15% TAD lift over the NBC broadcast viewership (from 22.7 million to 26.0 million). Previously, the largest lift was +14% on the opening Saturday of the 2016 Rio Olympics.

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