NBC Wins Six of Seven Nights in Adults 18-49, Takes the Week in Every Key Ratings Measure

NBC has dominated the primetime ratings week of Feb. 27-March 5, winning the week in every key measure and taking six of seven nights in the key demographic of adults 18-49, according to "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

NBC claimed 10 of the week's top 15 primetime shows on the Big 4 networks in the key adult 18-49 demographic, as well as total viewers, with Monday's premiere of "The Voice 12" ranking #1 in adults, men and women 18-49; adults, men and women 25-54; kids 2-11 (tied with Sunday's debut of NBC's "Little Big Shots") and teens 12-17.

Ranking in the week's top 15 in 18-49 are three editions of "The Voice" (#1 on Monday, #2 on Tuesday and #4 on Thursday), Sunday's "Little Big Shots" debut (tied for #5); Wednesday's "Chicago P.D." (#7); Tuesday's Presidential address analysis (#8); Wednesday's "Chicago Fire" (tied for #10); Wednesday's "Chicago Justice" preview (tied for #10); Thursday's "Chicago Med" (tied for #10); and Monday's premiere of "Taken" (tied for #13).

In total viewers, NBC's top-15 shows among primetime Big 4 telecasts were: the three editions of "The Voice" (#1 on Monday, #3 on Tuesday and #4 on Thursday), Sunday's "Little Big Shots" debut (#2); Wednesday's "Chicago P.D." (#6); Wednesday's "Chicago Fire" (#7); Thursday's "Chicago Med" (#10); Wednesday's "Chicago Justice" (#11); Tuesday's news analysis (#13); and Monday's premiere of "Taken" (#15)

NBC won every night of the week in adults 18-49 except Saturday, marking the first time any network had won six of seven nights since NBC did it last Thanksgiving week.

The total-viewer win is NBC's first during a full in-season week with no NFL football since March 7-13, 2016.

Season to date, NBC ranks #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in adults 18-49, remaining ahead of FOX despite its boosts from the SUPER BOWL as well as last fall's seven-game Cubs-Indians World Series. NBC also leads the season in adults 25-54, men 25-54 and all key adult-female demos.

NBC is up +2% this season versus last in total viewers (8.7 million vs. 8.6 million) is retaining 100% of its year-ago rating this in adults 18-49 (2.3 vs. 2.3) and adults 18-34 (1.6 vs. 1.6).

Week 24 Averages

Adult 18-49 Rating, "L+SD," Feb. 27-March 5

NBC...1.5

CBS...1.0

ABC...0.8

Fox...0.7

CW...0.5

Total Viewers

NBC...7.3 million

CBS...6.1 million

ABC...3.2 million

Fox...2.4 million

CW...1.4 million

Season to Date, All Programs

Adult 18-49 Rating, "Most Current"

NBC...2.3

Fox...2.2

CBS...1.9

ABC...1.7

CW...0.7

Total Viewers

CBS...10.0 million

NBC...8.7 million

Fox...6.9 million

ABC...6.4 million

CW...1.8 million

NBC highlights for the week of Feb. 27-March 5:

Monday

NBC won Monday night in adults 18-49 and every other key measure among the Big 4 networks.

The debut of "The Voice 12" (3.1/11 in 18-49, 13.0 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) jumped +24% above where the show closed its prior cycle in 18-49 (3.1 vs. 2.5 for the fall finale on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016) and +7% in total viewers (13.0 million vs. 12.1 million). The Feb. 28 telecast scored the show's highest rating since Tuesday, Sept. 27 in 18-49 (3.3) and biggest overall viewership in nearly a year, since Tuesday, March 8 (13.5 million). "The Voice" was the #1 show of the night in 18-49 and total viewers, winning the time period by a +94% margin in 18-49 (3.1 vs. 1.6 for ABC) and by +100% or +6.5 million persons in total viewers (13.0 million vs. 6.5 million for CBS). "The Voice" grew +8% in total viewers versus its prior premiere (13.0 million vs. 12.1 million on Sept. 19, 2016)

"Live Plus Three Day" Ratings: "The Voice" grew by +20% in 18-49 (from a 3.15 rating to a 3.78) and +2.0 million viewers overall (13.0 million to 15.0 million) going from "live plus same day" Nielsens to L+3. The +0.63 gain in 18-49 rating tied for the biggest L+3 lift of the night.

"Live Plus Seven Day" Ratings: So far this season, "The Voice" is growing by +26% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 2.50 to a 3.14) and +2.0 million viewers overall (10.7 million to 12.7 million).

Upscale: Monday's "The Voice" is delivering a solid upscale audience this season, indexing at a 113 among adults 18-49 in $100K+ homes (with 100 representing an average concentration of those homes, "most current" including L+3).

The premiere of "Taken" (1.6/6 in 18-49, 7.5 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) ranks as the most-watched new drama premiere anywhere on television since early October ("Timeless" on Monday, Oct. 3, 2016, 7.597 million, excludes Fox's post-Super Bowl revival of "24"), while outrating the prior seven new drama premieres on the Big 4 in 18-49 (including the regular-slot premiere of Fox's revival of "24"). "Taken" won the 10 p.m. hour among ABC, CBS and NBC in every key measure, delivering a +33% margin of victory in 18-49 (1.6 vs. 1.2 for CBS' "Scorpion). "Taken" increased by +33% versus NBC's average in the slot this season in 18-49 (1.6 vs. 1.2, L+SD non-sports) and delivered NBC regular-program highs in the slot since Oct. 3 in 18-49 and total viewers. L+3: "Taken" grew +23% in 18-49 (1.63 to 2.00) and +1.9 million viewers overall (7.5 million to 9.4 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens.

Tuesday

NBC won Tuesday night in every key ratings measure.

The Tuesday debut of "The Voice 12" (2.6/10 in 18-49, 11.4 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) grew +4% versus where the show ended its prior cycle in 18-49 (2.6 vs. 2.5 for the fall finale from 9-11 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016) and retained 94% in total viewers (11.422 million vs. 12.139 million). "The Voice" won the slot by a +136% margin among the Big 4 nets in adults 18-49 (2.6 vs. 1.1 for ABC's second-place comedies) and scored a five-month timeslot high in total viewers (NBC's biggest audience in the Tuesday 8-9 p.m. hour since Sept. 27, 2016, 11.5 million). "The Voice" retained 93% of the comparable 8-9 p.m. hour of the year-ago Tuesday debut (2.6 vs. 2.8 on March 1, 2016) and 98% in total viewers (11.4 million vs. 11.7 million), to win the time period in adults 18-49, total viewers and all other key measures. L+7: So far this season, Tuesday's "Voice" has increased by +24% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 2.56 to a 3.18) and more than +1.9 million viewers overall (11.1 million to 13.0 million).

NBC News coverage of President Trump's Address from 9-10:09 p.m. ET aired as sustaining programming and will not be included in nightly or weekly averages. A news analysis segment ran from 10:09-10:19 p.m. ET and averaged a 1.8/6 in 18-49 and 8.0 million viewers overall and a second analysis segment ran from 10:30-10:37 and averaged a 1.3/5 in 18-49 and 6.0 million viewers overall.

An encore telecast of "The Wall," joined in progress at 10:37 p.m. ET, averaged a 1.0/4 in 18-49 and 4.3 million viewers overall.

Wednesday

NBC won the night in every key measure, as a "Chicago" crossover event averaged a 1.8 rating in adults 18-49, making it NBC's highest-rated Wednesday in 18-49 with in-season series programming since November 11, 2015. In total viewers, the average 9.110 million made it NBC's best Wednesday with in-season series programming since Nov. 12, 2014.

A special Wednesday telecast of "Chicago Fire" (1.7/7 in 18-49, 9.0 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) won the time period in total viewers with the show's strongest average since Dec. 8, 2015 (9.1 million), while jumping versus NBC's timeslot season average in 18-49 by +55% (1.7 vs. 1.1, L+SD, excludes live news and sports). "Fire" generated NBC's highest rating in the hour with in-season scripted series programming in more than three years in 18-49 (since Sept. 25, 2013, 1.8) and in more than two years in total viewers (since Sept. 24, 2014, 10.010 million). "Fire" scored NBC's first total-viewer win in the slot with in-season scripted series programming in more than two years (since Sept. 24, 2014). L+3: "Fire" grew +38% in 18-49 (1.71 to 2.36) and +2.4 million viewers overall (9.0 million to 11.4 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: "Chicago Fire" has grown by +61% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.61 to a 2.60) and +3.7 million viewers overall (7.2 million to 10.9 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

A special 9 p.m. edition of "Chicago P.D." (1.9/7 in 18-49, 9.6 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) set a series record in total viewers and won the time period among the broadcast networks in every key category. It marked the first time NBC has won the Wednesday 9 p.m. hour in 18-49 with scripted series programming against all originals on the Big 4 competition since in more than nine years (since Sept. 26, 2007). THE MARCH 1 "P.D." captured the show's highest 18-49 rating in more than a year (since Feb. 10, 2016, 2.0) and scored NBC's best adult 18-49 rating in the hour with in-season scripted series programming since Jan. 13, 2016 ("Law & Order: SVU," 2.0). "P.D." delivered NBC's best total-viewer result with in-season series programming in more than two years (since "Law & Order: SVU" on Nov. 12, 2014, 10.007 million). L+3: "P.D." increased by +42% in 18-49 (1.90 to 2.69) and +2.8 million viewers overall (9.6 million to 12.4 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: "Chicago P.D." is increasing by +73% in 18-49 rating so far this season going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.38 to a 2.39) and +3.6 million viewers overall (6.3 million to 9.9 million).

A preview of "Chicago Justice" (1.7/7 in 18-49, 8.7 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) equaled NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the timeslot with series programming in more than a year (since Feb. 10, 2016, 2.0) and scored NBC's best total-viewer result in the timeslot with series programming in more than a year (since Jan. 6, 2016, 8.746 million). The Wednesday preview scored as television's most-watched new drama debut since premiere week last fall, excluding Fox's post-Super Bowl revival of "24," and joins Monday's premiere of "Taken" as the two most-watched drama debuts on all of television since Oct. 3 (7.597 million with "Timeless," excludes Fox's post-Super Bowl revival of "24"). "Chicago Justice" won the 10 p.m. hour among ABC, CBS and NBC, beating the combined ABC-CBS competition in every key measure. L+3: "Justice" increased by +42% in 18-49 (1.68 to 2.39) and more than +2.9 million viewers overall (8.7 million to 11.7 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens

Thursday

NBC won the night in adults 18-49 and total viewers with "The Voice," "Chicago Med" and "The Blacklist: Redemption" sweeping six of six half-hours among the Big 4 networks in both 18-49 and total viewers. NBC equaled its highest non-sports Thursday average in 18-49 since Dec. 3, 2015 ("The Wiz Live!") to win its first Thursday in 18-49 and total viewers without sports since Christmas Eve 2015 with "It's a Wonderful Life."

A special Thursday edition of "The Voice" (2.3/9 in 18-49, 10.7 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) wasthe #1 show of the night in 18-49, total viewers and all other key measures, with NBC's best results in the time period since December 2015, excluding sports, in both 18-49 and total viewers (highest non-sports since Dec. 3, 2015 with "The Wiz Live!," 3.4 in 18-49, 12.1 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m.). "The Voice" won the hour in all key categories for NBC's first non-sports victory in the Thursday 8-9 p.m. hour in 18-49 since Dec. 3, 2015 ("The Wiz Live!") and in total viewers since Dec. 4, 2014 ("Peter Pan Live!"). ). L+3: "Voice" grew +21% in 18-49 (2.29 to 2.76) and +1.7 million viewers overall (10.7 million to 12.4 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens.

"Chicago Med" (1.7/6 in 18-49, 8.8 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) delivered the show's highest 18-49 and total-viewer results since Tuesday, April 26, 2016 (1.8 in 18-49, 9.0 million viewers overall), growing versus the show's prior telecast by +42% in 18-49 (1.7 vs. 1.2 on Feb. 16) and +45% in total viewers (8.8 million vs. 6.1 million). "Med" equaled NBC's highest non-sports rating in the Thursday 9-10 p.m. hour in 18-49 since Dec. 3, 2015 ("The Wiz Live!") and scored a non-sports slot high in total viewers since Dec. 10, 2015 ("Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors"). L+3: "Med" grew +41% in 18-49 (1.67 to 2.28) and more than +2.6 million viewers overall (8.8 million to 11.5 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens, for the biggest L+3 lifts of the night in 18-49 rating and total viewers. L+7: So far this season, "Med" has been increasing by +67% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.27 to a 2.12) and +3.3 million viewers overall (6.6 million to 9.9 million).

"The Blacklist: Redemption" (1.0/4 in 18-49, 4.8 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) grew +25% week to week in 18-49 (1.0 vs. 0.8) and +12% in total viewers (4.757 million vs. 4.257 million), making it the first new mid-season drama to generate Week 2 growth in 18-49 since Fox's "Empire" in January 2015, and the first among new drama among 19 so far on the Big 4 this season to grow from Week 1 to Week 2 in either 18-49 or total viewers. "Redemption" won the time period among ABC, CBS and NBC in every key measure. L+3: "Blacklist: Redemption" grew by +41% in 18-49 (0.97 to 1.37) and +1.9 million viewers overall (4.8 million to 6.7 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. The +41% increase is the highest 18-49 percentage lift of the night on the Big 4. Upscale: "Blacklist: Redemption" is generating a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 132 among adults 18-49 in $100K+ homes.

Friday

NBC won the night in adults 18-49, marking the fifth consecutive night the network had ranked #1.

"Grimm" (0.8/4 in 18-49, 4.2 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) equaled the show's highest 18-49 rating since its season premiere (0.9 on Jan. 6) and delivered its most-watched episode since Jan. 27 (4.3 million). L+3: The prior week's "Grimm" increased by +72% in 18-49 (0.79 to 1.36) and +1.8 million viewers overall (4.0 million to 5.8 million) going from L+SD to L+3 ratings, for the biggest 18-49 percentage lift of the night on the Big 4. L+7: So far this season, "Grimm" has been increasing by +74% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 0.82 to a 1.43) and +2.0 million viewers overall (4.2 million to 6.2 million).

"Emerald City" (0.7/3 in 18-49, 2.9 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) hit a six-week high in 18-49, with its top rating since Jan. 27 (0.7), and a seven-week best in total viewers, with its high since Jan. 13 (3.2 million). "Emerald City" grew +17% week to week in 18-49 (0.7 vs. 0.6) and +22% in total viewers (2.9 million vs. 2.4 million). L+3: The previous week's "Emerald City" grew by +67% in 18-49 (0.58 to 0.97) and +1.1 million viewers overall (2.4 million to 3.5 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: "Emerald City" has grown by +75% in 18-49 rating so far this season going from L+SD to L+7 (0.73 to a 1.28) and +1.7 million viewers overall (3.1 million to 4.8 million).

"Dateline NBC" (0.8/3 in 18-49, 1.2 in adults 25-54, 4.4 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) delivered the show's most-watched Friday telecast since Dec. 16 (5.2 million) and equaled its top ratings in 18-49 and 25-54 since Jan. 27 (1.0 in 18-49, 1.3 in 25-54). "Dateline" won the time period among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 and tied for #1 in adults 25-54. L+3: "Dateline" increased by +33% in 18-49 (0.81 to 1.08) and +1.1 million viewers overall 4.0 million to 5.1 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: "Dateline" is growing by +34% this season in 18-49 rating (from a 0.95 to a 1.27) and +1.2 million viewers overall (4.7 million to 5.9 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Sunday

NBC won the night in 18-49 with the network's top Sunday average in 18-49 (1.3), excluding sports and Golden Globes, since March 20, 2016, and in total viewers (7.6 million) with those exclusions since March 13, 2016.

The second season premiere of "Little Big Shots" (2.0/7 in 18-49, 11.7 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) ranked as the #1 show of the night on the Big 4 networks in 18-49 and total viewers. The 2.0 rating in 18-49 equals or tops all but two of the show's regular-slot telecasts from last season in 18-49 and matches the show's best rating since March 20, 2016. "LBS" doubled its lead-in in 18-49 (2.0 vs. 1.0) and grew +94% in total viewers (11.8 million vs. 6.0 million) and won the time period by a +54% margin among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 (2.0 vs. 1.3 for #2 CBS).

The regular-slot debut of "Chicago Justice" (1.4/4 in 18-49, 7.2 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) ranked as the #2 telecast of the night on the Big 4 networks in 18-49. "Justice" won the hour by a +27% margin among those nets in 18-49 (1.4 vs. 1.1 for #2 Fox) and equaled NBC's top 18-49 result in the timeslot excluding live news and sports and the Golden Globes, since an special "American Ninja Warrior: USA Vs. the World" on Jan. 31, 2016 in 18-49. It was also NBC's top-scoring Sunday scripted program in 18-49 and total viewers since April 2015.

The second season debut of "Shades of Blue" (1.0/4 in 18-49, 5.3 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) won the time period by a +67% margin among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 (1.0 vs. a 0.6 each for ABC and CBS) and won the slot among ABC, CBS and NBC in every key measure. "Shades" equaled the show's average for its last four episodes last season in 18-49(1.0 from March 10 through March 31). L+7: Last season, "Shades of Blue" increased by +95% in adult 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (1.17 to 2.28) and +4.1 million persons in total viewers (5.8 million vs. 9.9 million).

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