NBC Wins Primetime Ratings Week in Key Demos and Total Viewers

NBC has won the primetime ratings week of Sept. 18-24 in adults 18-49, total viewers and every other key measure, claiming the top three primetime shows of the week on the Big 4 networks in 18-49 and three of the top four in total viewers, according to "live plus same day" figures from Nielsen Media Research.

Raiders-Redskins "Sunday Night Football" ranked #1 among primetime broadcasts last week in adults 18-49, followed by the Tuesday and Wednesday season finales of "America's Got Talent," which tied for #2. "American Ninja Warrior" (#8) and Wednesday's special second-season premiere of "The Good Place" (#10) joined those shows to give NBC five of the week's top 10.

In total viewers, "Sunday Night Football" also ranked #1 among primetime Big 4 programs, Wednesday's "America's Got Talent" finished #2 and Tuesday's "Talent" was #4.

These results conclude the 2016-17 television season, which NBC has won for a fourth year in a row in the key primetime demographic of adults 18-49. It's the first time in 14 years NBC has won the September-to-September season without a SUPER BOWL or Olympics on its schedule. NBC claimed the season counting all programs and also won the separate categories of regular programming, scripted shows and alternative programs. In all programs, the network also won the season in every other key ratings demographic - adults, men and women 18-34; men and women 18-49; and adults, men and women 25-54 (including a tie in men 18-34).

NBC's margin of +0.4 of a rating point in adults 18-49 for the season is the biggest win for any network in six years, since FOX held a +0.6 advantage at this point in the 2010-11 season. On a percentage basis, NBC won the season by +27% (with a 1.9 ratings vs. a 1.5 each for ABC, CBS and Fox), the largest percentage win for any network in 19 years, since NBC won the 1997-98 season by a +34% advantage.

This is the 13th time in 14 weeks NBC has finished #1 or tied for #1 in 18-49, while the network has taken 12 of 14 in total viewers. Counting entertainment programming only (excluding live news and sports) this is the 18th straight week NBC has finished #1 or tied for #1 in 18-49 and 25-54. In total viewers, NBC has won 16 of the last 18 weeks in entertainment-program ratings.

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