NBC Ties For #1 In 18-49 For The Primetime Week of 5/7-5/13

NBC has tied for #1 in adults 18-49 in ratings results for the primetime week of May 7-13, according to "live plus same day" figures from Nielsen Media Research.

Leading NBC's week was the Monday edition of "The Voice," which tied for #8 among primetime programs on ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in adults 18-49. Joining Monday's "Voice" among the top-25 shows on that list are Tuesday's "Voice" (tied for #12), "Chicago P.D." (tied for #16), "Chicago Med" and "Law & Order: SVU" (tied for #21) and "Chicago Fire" (tied for #24).

In adults 18-49, NBC is dominating the current primetime season, with leads over #2 ABC, CBS and FOX of +0.7 of a rating point or +47% (2.2 vs. 1.5). The +47% 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 also ranks #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in every other key demographic - adults, men and women 18-34; men and women 18-49; and adults, men and women 25-54. In total viewers, NBC is running within 33,000 persons of #1, NBC's most competitive position at this point in the season in 16 years, since 2001-02. Even excluding all sports, NBC is running closer to CBS at this point in the season in total viewers than it's been in 14 years, since 2003-04 (currently within 1.642 million total viewers of CBS excluding sports, best since the gap was 1.608 million in 2003-04).

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, women 25-54 and men 18-34.

Week 33 Averages

Adult 18-49 Rating, "live plus same day," May 7-13

CBS...0.9

ABC...0.9

NBC...0.9

Fox...0.7

CW...0.3

Total Viewers

CBS...7.1 million

NBC...4.5 million

ABC...4.4 million

Fox...2.6 million

CW...1.0 million

Season-to-Date Averages

Adult 18-49 Rating, "Most Current"

NBC...2.2

CBS...1.5

ABC...1.5

Fox...1.5

CW...0.6

Total Viewers

CBS...9.0 million

NBC...8.9 million

ABC...6.1 million

Fox...5.0 million

CW...1.7 million

NBC highlights for the week of May 7-13:

Monday

NBC won Monday night in total viewers among the Big 4 networks for a 13th consecutive week and for a 12th time in 13 weeks in 18-49. NBC led the night among the Big 4 networks in every key ratings measure and swept six of six half-hours in adults 18-49.

"The Voice" (1.5/6 in 18-49, 8.4 million viewers overall from 8-10:01 p.m. ET) scored as the #1 show of the night on the Big 4 networks in 18-49 and total viewers and was the #1 show on ABC, CBS, NBC or FOX in the 8-10 p.m. slot by a +50% margin over "Dancing With the Stars: Athletes" in 18-49 (1.5 vs. 1.0) and by +8% in total viewers (8.4 million vs. 7.7 million).

"Live Plus Three Day" Ratings: "Voice" increased by +15% in 18-49 (from a 1.49 rating to a 1.72) and +1.0 million viewers overall (8.4 million to 9.4 million) going from "live plus same day" Nielsens to L+3.

"Live Plus Seven Day" Ratings: Monday's "The Voice" has grown by +26% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 2.10 to a 2.64) and +1.9 million viewers overall (10.3 million to 12.2 million). When projected 35-day non-linear viewing is included, the "Voice" 18-49 rating increases to a 3.46.

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 fourth season debut of "Running Wild with Bear Grylls" (0.9/4 in 18-49, 3.5 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) won the 10 p.m. hour among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 and every other key demographic, dominating among those networks in adults 18-49 with a +50% margin of victory (0.9 vs. 0.6 for second-place "Elementary"). "Running" maintained 100% of the show's debut from last season in 18-49 (0.9 vs. 0.9 on Monday, May 22, 2017 from 10-11 p.m. ET) and was up +80% versus the show's most recent telecast in 18-49 (0.9 vs. 0.5 on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 from 10-11 p.m. ET). L+3: "Running Wild" increased by +15% in 18-49 (0.87 to 1.00) and +472,000 viewers overall (3.5 million to 4.0 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: The last full season of "Running Wild" grew by +18% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.26 to a 1.49 and +707,000 viewers overall (3.8 million to 4.6 million) going from L+SD to L+7. Upscale: The last full season of "Running Wild" delivered a solid upscale audience, indexing at a 115 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes.

Tuesday

"The Voice" (1.3/6 in 18-49, 7.3 million viewers overall from 8-9:01 p.m. ET) grew +8% week to week in 18-49 (1.3 vs. 1.2), and was also up in adults, men and women 18-34, including a week-to-week gain of +25% in women 18-34 (1.0 vs. 0.8). L+3: "The Voice" grew by +12% in 18-49 (1.25 to 1.40) and +830,000 viewers overall (7.3 million to 8.1 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 2.00 to a 2.48) and +1.8 million viewers overall (10.1 million to 11.9 million). With the addition of projected 35-day non-linear ratings, the Tuesday "Voice" 18-49 figure grows to a 3.32.

"Rise" (0.7/3 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall from 9:01-10 p.m. ET) retained 100% week to week in 18-49 (0.7 vs. 0.7) and as also up in total viewers (3.751 million vs. 3.736 million). "Rise" maintained 100% of NBC's result in the hour on the year-ago night in 18-49 (0.7 vs. 0.7 on May 9, 2017) and was up +24% in total viewers (3.8 million vs. 3.0). L+3: "Rise" increased by +32% in 18-49 (0.66 to 0.87) and +951,000 viewers overall (3.8 million to 4.7 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. When projected 35-day non-linear viewing is included, the "Rise" 18-49 rating increases to a 2.17. Upscale: "Rise" is generating a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 118 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes and a 131 among 18-49s with four or more years of college.

"Chicago Med" (1.1/5 in 18-49, 5.8 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) grew +10% week to week in 18-49 (1.1 vs. 1.0) and was also up in total viewers (5.847 million vs. 5.843 million), to win the time period among the ABC, CBS and NBC dramas in adults 18-49 and rank #1 or tied for #1 among those dramas in adults 25-54 and most other key demos. In adults 18-49, "Med" delivered a +38% margin of victory among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 (1.1 vs. 0.8 for CBS's "NCIS: New Orleans"). "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 19 of 19 first-run telecasts (L+SD). L+3: "Med" grew by +57% in 18-49 (1.06 to 1.66) 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 1.25 to a 2.16) 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 2.90.

Wednesday

"The Blacklist" (0.8/4 in 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) retained 100% week to week in 18-49 (0.8 vs. 0.8), marking the fourth straight week "Blacklist" has maintained its 0.8 rating. L+3: "Blacklist" increased by +51% in 18-49 (0.76 to 1.15) and +1.8 million viewers overall (5.0 million to 6.8 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 (0.95 to a 1.64) 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" (1.1/5 in 18-49, 5.7 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) finished within 0.1 of a rating point of #1 in the hour among the Big 4 networks in 18-49 and ranked #2 among those nets in total viewers, within 440,000 persons of #1. "SVU" built by +38% on its lead-in in adults 18-49.L+3: "SVU" grew +58% in 18-49 (1.12 to 1.77) and +2.0 million viewers overall (5.7 million to 7.7 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.

The season finale of "Chicago P.D." (1.2/5 in 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) delivered a +71% margin of victory among the ABC-CBS-NBC dramas in adult 18-49 rating (1.2 vs. 0.7 for CBS' #2 "Code Black") and +1.3 million persons in total viewers (6.3 million vs. 5.0 million for "Code Black"). "P.D." won the timeslot among the ABC-CBS-NBC dramas in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and every other key measure, while maintaining 100% week to week in 18-49 (1.2 vs. 1.2) and growing +5% in total viewers (6.3 million vs. 6.1 million). "P.D." concluded its season having won the timeslot or tied for #1 versus regular ABC and CBS competition with its last 38 straight original telecasts in adults 18-49 (L+SD), extending back to October 2016. L+3: "P.D." grew by +55% in 18-49 (1.20 to 1.86) and +2.9 million viewers overall (6.3 million to 9.2 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 +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 3.00.

Thursday

A rebroadcast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" averaged a 0.5/2 in 18-49 and 2.7 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET.

The two-hour season finale of "Chicago Fire" (1.0/4 in 18-49, 6.0 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) maintained 100% of the prior week's regular 10-11 p.m. telecast in 18-49 (1.0 vs. 1.0) and grew +7% in total viewers (6.0 million vs. 5.5 million) to equal the show's highest 18-49 rating since March 22 (1.2 from 9-11 p.m.) and deliver the most-watched "Chicago Fire" since that same date (6.9 million viewers). "Fire" leapt +1.3 million persons or +28% versus NBC's non-sports Thursday 9-11 p.m. average in total viewers (6.0 million vs. 4.7 million).

For its climactic hour from 10-11 p.m., the "Fire" season finale ranked #1 among the ABC, CBS and NBC dramas in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and total viewers and grew versus the prior week by +11% in 18-49 (1.1 vs. 1.0) and +14% in total viewers (6.3 million vs. 5.5 million) to the show's best 10-11 p.m. results since March 22 (1.3 in 18-49 from 10-11 p.m., 7.1 million viewers overall). L+3: "Fire" increased by +71% in 18-49 (1.00 to 1.71) and more than +2.9 million viewers overall (6.0 million to 8.9 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 1.09 to a 2.13) 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

"Blindspot" (0.5/3 in 18-49, 2.8 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) finished within 0.1 of the timeslot win among the Big 4 networks in 18-49 (0.5 vs. 0.6 for CBS and Fox) and maintained 100% week to week in 18-49 (0.5 vs. 0.5) while growing +4% in total viewers (2.8 million vs. 2.7 million). It was the most-watched "Blindspot" since March 30 (2.9 million). L+3: The prior week's "Blindspot" grew by +67% in 18-49 (0.52 to 0.87) and more than +1.3 million viewers overall (2.7 million to 4.0 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. 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 adults 25-54, 4.2 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) equaled the show's high for a Friday edition in 18-49 since Jan. 12 (0.8 from 10-11 p.m.) and in 25-54 since Dec. 29, 2017 (1.2 from 9-11). "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 +29% in 18-49 (0.72 to 0.93) and +965,000 viewers overall (4.2 million to 5.2 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. Upscale: Friday's "Dateline" is delivering a solid upscale audience, indexing at a 114 among adults 18-49 in $100K+ homes

Saturday

NBC won the night among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in adults 18-49.

NBC Sports' 7:06-10:02 p.m. ET coverage of Stanley Cup Playoff hockey, featuring the Winnipeg Jets at the Vegas Golden Knights (0.7/4 in 18-49, 2.3 million viewers overall) tied NBC's "SNL Vintage" as the night's #1 telecast on the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49.

"SNL Vintage" (0.7/3 in 18-49, 2.4 million viewers overall from 10:10-11 p.m. ET, with an encore of a May 9, 2015 telecast of "Saturday Night Live" with host Reese Witherspoon and musical guest Florence + the Machine) tied Jets-Golden Knights hockey coverage as the #1 Big 4 show of the night in 18-49. The May 12 "SNL Vintage" is the top-rated "SNL" encore in this slot since Jan. 27 (0.7).

Sunday

"Genius Junior" averaged a 0.5/2 in 18-49 and 2.6 million viewers overall from 7:14-8:14 p.m. ET) equaled the show's highest 18-49 rating since April 8 (0.7 at 9 p.m.).

A second telecast of "Genius Junior" (0.6/2 in 18-49, 3.0 million viewers overall from 8:14-9:14 p.m. ET) equaled the show's highest 18-49 rating since April 8 (0.7 at 9 p.m.) and grew +20% versus the prior Sunday's 8 p.m. telecast in 18-49 (0.6 vs. 0.5) and +7% in total viewers (3.0 million vs. 2.8 million), pending updates.

The two-hour season finale of "Timeless" (0.6/2 in 18-49, 2.4 million viewers overall from 9:14-11:14 p.m. ET) grew +0.1 of a point or +20% week to week in 18-49 (0.6 vs. 0.5 from 10-11 p.m.) and +9% in total viewers (2.428 million vs. 2.228 million), to equal the show's highest 18-49 rating since March 18 with its second episode of the season. For the 10:30-11 p.m. ET half-hour, "Timeless" tied for #1 among the ABC, CBS and NBC dramas in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54. L+3: The prior week's "Timeless" increased by +80% in 18-49 (0.54 to 0.97) and more than +1.5 million viewers overall (2.2 million to 3.8 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens, for the biggest L+3 lift of the night on the Big 4 networks in 18-49 percentage. Upscale: "Timeless" is generating a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 134 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes.

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