NBC Wins Week 4 of 2015-16 Season in 18-49 Demo

NBC has won Week 4 of the 2015-16 primetime season among the Big 4 networks in the key demographic of adults 18-49 and all other key demos, marking the fourth straight year NBC has claimed each of the opening four weeks of the new season in adults 18-49. NBC's "Sunday Night Football," the Monday and Tuesday editions of "The Voice" and "The Blacklist" accounted for four of the week's top eight results in 18-49 among primetime shows on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox.

According to "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, NBC averaged a 2.4 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49 and 8.4 million viewers overall for the week of Oct. 12-18.

"Sunday Night Football" was the #1 telecast of the week on the Big 4 in adults 18-49, total viewers, adults 25-54, adults 18-34, all key adult-male demos, teens 12-17 and kids 2-11. Joining the NFL telecast among the week's top eight primetime shows on those networks in adults 18-49 were Monday's "The Voice" (#5), Tuesday's "Voice' (#7) and Monday's "Blindspot" (#8). Rankings exclude sports pre- and post-game shows.

It's the 15thconsecutive week NBC has ranked #1 or tied for #1 among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, the longest unbeaten streak for any network in six years, since FOX won 17 weeks in a row in 2009 from the week of Feb. 2 to the week of May 25, 2009. The 15-week streak is also NBC's longest in 12 years, since the network finished #1 or tied for #1 for 16 consecutive weeks in 2003 from the week of May 26 through the week of Sept. 8, 2003.

Through the opening four weeks of the 2015-16 season, NBC ranks #1 among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and every other key demo and is #2 in total viewers.

Primetime averages for the week of Oct. 12-18 in adults 18-49 are: NBC, 2.4/8; CBS, 2.1/7; ABC, 1.5/5; Fox, 1.3/4; and CW, 0.6/2. In overall total viewers, the weekly averages were: CBS, 10.4 million; NBC, 8.4 million; ABC, 6.1 million; Fox, 4.2 million; and CW, 1.5 million.

"Most current" averages for the season to date are: NBC, 2.8/9; CBS, 2.5/8; ABC, 2.0/7; Fox, 1.8/6; and CW, 0.5/2. In overall total viewers, the season averages are: CBS, 11.6 million; NBC, 9.4 million; ABC, 7.6 million; Fox, 5.1 million; and CW, 1.4 million.

NBC highlights for the week of Oct. 12-18:

Monday

NBC wins the night among the Big 4 in every key measure, including a dominating victory in adults 18-49 among those networks, winning by a +58% margin.

"The Voice" (3.3/10 in 18-49, 12.0 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) retained 100% of the prior week's 3.3 in 18-49 and 98% in total viewers (12.0 million vs. 12.2 million). "The Voice" won the slot among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in adults 18-49, total viewers and all other key measures, including a total-viewer win over ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," and jumped +32% versus what the prior cycle was averaging in last May's sweep in 18-49 (3.3 vs. 2.5) and +15% in total viewers (12.0 million vs. 10.4 million).

"Live Plus Three Day" Ratings: "The Voice" increased by +21% in 18-49 rating going from "live plus same day" to "live plus three day" Nielsens (from a 3.26 rating to a 3.94) and by 2.0 viewers overall (from 12.0 million to 14.0 million).

"Live Plus Seven Day" Ratings: So far this season, Monday's "Voice" has grown in L+7 vs. L+SD by +26% in 18-49 rating (from a 3.45 to a 4.34) and more than 2.5 million viewers overall (12.2 million to 14.8 million).

Upscale: Monday's "Voice" is delivering a solidly upscale audience, indexing at a 114 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes ("most current," including L+3, 100 represents an average concentration of those homes). This week's telecast was the night's most upscale show on the Big 4 (116 index).

"Blindspot" (2.5/8 in 18-49, 8.4 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) grew week to week in 18-49 by +4% (2.5 vs. 2.4), making it the first new Big 4 scripted series this fall to grow week to week in "live plus same day" 18-49 rating. "Blindspot" won the time period among the ABC, CBS and NBC dramas in every key measure, beating the combined ABC-CBS rating in the slot in 18-49 (2.5 vs. a combined 2.2) and taking the slot among those dramas by a +127% margin in (2.5 vs. 1.1 each for ABC and CBS). "Blindspot" was the night's #1 new series and #1 drama, new or returning, in 18-49 and was up +56% versus NBC's average in the slot last season in 18-49 (2.5 vs. 1.6). In its four weeks on the schedule, "Blindspot" has delivered NBC's four highest ratings in the slot, excluding sports, in 11 months (since Nov. 10, 2014, 2.5 with "The Blacklist"). Upscale: "Blindspot" is the most upscale new drama on the Big 4 so far this season, indexing at a 128 among adults 18-49 living in home with $100K+ incomes.

L+3: "Blindspot" grew by +55% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 ratings (2.48 to 3.83) and by more than 4.1 million viewers overall (8.4 million to 12.6 million). The total-viewer increase of 4.138 million is the biggest lift of the night, ahead of "Big Bang Theory" (+4.075 million).

The prior week's "Blindspot" ranked #1 for that week among new fall series in both L+3 ratings (3.95 in adults 18-49, 13.391 million viewers overall) and was the #2 broadcast drama of the week in 18-49, behind only "Empire" and moving ahead of "Scandal" (3.95 vs. 3.91) going from L+SD to L+3..

L+7: "Blindspot" has increased this season by +69% in 18-49 rating (from a 2.84 to a 4.79) and 6.0 million viewers overall (9.9 million to 15.9 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Tuesday

NBC ranked #1 for the night among the Big 4 in adults 18-49, marking the 13thstraight Tuesday it's finished#1 or tied for #1 among those nets.

"Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris" (1.2/4 in 18-49, 4.5 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) retained 92% of the prior week's rating in 18-49 and was up week to week in total viewers (4.478 million vs. 4.452 million), despite moving this week to the 8 p.m. hour after four weeks at 10 p.m. "Best Time" ranked #2 in the 8 p.m. hour among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in total viewers, adults 25-54 and women 25-54. "Best Time" grew half-hour to half-hour by +18% in adults 18-49 (1.1 to 1.3) and +20% in adults 25-54 (1.5 to 1.8). L+3: "Best Time" increased by +10% in 18-49 (1.18 to 1.29) and 333,000 viewers (4.5 million to 4.8 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: "Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris" has grown by +23% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.94 to a 2.38) and more than 1.0 million viewers overall (6.2 million to 7.2 million) going from L+SD to L+7. Upscale: "Best Time Ever" is delivering a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 122 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes.

"The Voice" (2.6/8 in 18-49, 10.1 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) ranked as the #1 show of the night on the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and adults 25-54, and won the 9 p.m. hour by a +73% margin among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX (2.6 vs. 1.5 for CBS's "NCIS: New Orleans." "The Voice" was up +24% versus NBC's average in this hour last season (2.6 vs. 2.1, L+SD non-sports). L+3: Tuesday's "Voice" grew by +30% in 18-49 (2.56 to 3.31) and more than 2.1 million viewers (10.1 million to 12.3 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: Tuesday's "Voice" has increased this season by +23% in 18-49 rating (from a 3.61 to a 4.44) and 2.4 million viewers overall (13.0 million to 15.4 million) going from L+SD to L+7. Upscale: Tuesday's "Voice" is delivering a solidly upscale audience, indexing at a 119 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes.

The fourth season debut of "Chicago Fire" (1.8/6 in 18-49, 7.4 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) grew versus its season finale in May by +20% in 18-49 (1.8 vs. 1.5 on May 12) and +11% in total viewers (7.4 million vs. 6.7 million), to deliver its ninth consecutive time-period win versus the slot's ABC and CBS competition when in original, dating back to last March.

. In the time period, "Chicago Fire" ranked #1 or tied for #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 and all other key demos, winning among those nets by a margin of +29% (1.8 vs. 1.4 for CBS's "Limitless"). It was the top-rated "Chicago Fire" in 18-49 and total viewers since April 7. L+3: "Chicago Fire" grew by +50% in 18-49 (1.79 to 2.68) and 2.8 million viewers (7.4 million to 10.2 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: Last season, "Chicago Fire" first-runs increased by +61% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.82 to a 2.93) and more than 3.5 million viewers overall (7.4 million to 10.9 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Wednesday

"The Mysteries of Laura" (1.0/3 in 18-49, 6.9 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) finished #2 in the time period among the Big 4 networks in total viewers. Versus the prior week, "Laura" maintained 91% of its 18-49 rating (1.0 vs. 1.1). Versus what the show averaged in the time period during last May's sweep, "Laura" equaled that average in 18-49 (1.0 vs. 1.0) and was up +8% in total viewers (6.850 million vs. 6.420 million). L+3: "Laura" increased by +32% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens (0.99 to 1.31) and by more than 1.3 million viewers overall (from 6.9 million to 8.3 million). L+7: "The Mysteries of Laura" has increased this season by +37% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.22 to a 1.67) and 1.8 million viewers overall (7.2 million to 9.0 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1.5/5 in 18-49, 6.2 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) retained 94% of the prior week's 18-49 rating and built on its lead-in this week by 50% (1.5 vs. 1.0). "SVU" equaled its 18-49 average during last May's sweep (1.5 vs. 1.5). L+3: "SVU" grew by +50% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens (1.52 to 2.28) and by 2.1 million viewers overall (from 6.2 million to 8.3 million). L+7: "Law & Order: SVU" has grown by +66% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.75 to a 2.91) and more than 2.9 million viewers overall (7.8 million to 10.7 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

"Chicago P.D." (1.5/5 in 18-49, 6.6 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) ranked #1 in the time period among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 and was #1 or tied for #1 among those nets in all other key demos. "Chicago P.D." has now finished #1 or tied for #1 in 18-49 versus the time period's ABC and CBS drama competition with its last 19 regular-slot originals, dating back to November 2014. This week's telecast maintained 100% of the prior week's 18-49 rating (1.5 vs. 1.5) and grew week to week in total viewers (6.6 million vs. 6.5 million). L+3: "Chicago P.D." grew by +51% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens (1.50 to 2.26) and by 2.4 million viewers overall (from 6.6 million to 9.0 million). L+7: "Chicago P.D." has grown by +58% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.70 to a 2.68) and more than 3.2 million viewers overall (6.7 million to 9.9 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Thursday

"Heroes Reborn" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 4.0 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) retained 92% of the previous week's adult 18-49 rating (1.1 vs. 1.2), 91% in total viewers (4.0 million vs. 4.4 million) and 100% in adults 18-34, men 18-34, men 18-49 and women 25-54. These L+SD results will increase dramatically with time-shifting and viewing on alternate platforms - the prior week's "Heroes Reborn" added nearly 900,000 full-episode views (P2+) in seven days on NBC.com and Hulu (890,995). Among adults 18-49, the previous week's episode grew by +97% (to a 2.5 rating) via time-shifting (3 days) and 7-day alternate-platform viewership (1.25 rating to a projected 2.46 rating in TAMi estimates). L+3: The prior week's "Heroes Reborn" grew by +67% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens (1.25 to 2.09) and by 1.8 million viewers overall (from 4.4 million to 6.2 million). L+7: "Heroes Reborn" has increased this season by +72% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.83 to a 3.14) and 2.9 million viewers overall (5.7 million to 8.6 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

"The Blacklist" (1.4/4 in 18-49, 6.9 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) retained 93% of the prior week's result in 18-49 (1.4 vs. 1.5), held onto 99% in total viewers (6.9 million vs. 7.0 million) and retained 100% in adults 25-54, women 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54. (1.0 vs. 1.0) and men 25-54 (1.8 vs. 1.8). In the time period, "Blacklist" beat Fox's "Sleepy Hollow" head to head by +75% in adults 18-49 (1.4 vs. 0.8). L+3: The previous week's "Blacklist" grew by +82% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens (1.49 to 2.71) and by 3.9 million viewers overall (from 7.0 million to 10.9 million). The increases of +72% in 18-49 and 4.3 million viewers were the biggest of the night on the Big 4 nets. L+7: "The Blacklist" season premiere increased by +91% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.83 to a 3.49) and more than 5.4 million viewers overall (7.8 million to 13.2 million) going from L+SD to L+7. After ranking #23 for the week in L+SD 18-49 rating, "The Blacklist" rose to #11 in L+7. Upscale: "Blacklist" is the most upscale drama so far this season on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox, indexing at a 151 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes. "Blacklist" was also the most upscale telecast on those networks on the prior Thursday, Oct. 1.

"The Player" (0.7/2 in 18-49, 4.0 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) retained 78% of the previous week's 0.9 in in adults 18-49, 90% in total viewers (4.0 million vs. 4.4 million) and 100% in women 18-49 and adults 18-34 while growing week to week in women 18-34. L+3: The prior week's "Player" increased by +45% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens (0.88 to 1.28) and by 1.7 million viewers overall (from 4.4 million to 6.1 million). L+7: "The Player" has grown by +65% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.06 to a 1.75) and 2.6 million viewers overall (4.7 million to 7.3 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Friday

"Undateable" (0.9/4 in 18-49, 3.1 million viewers overall from 8-8:30 p.m. ET) increased by +13% or 0.1 of a point versus the prior week's season premiere in 18-49 and was up +23% in total viewers (3.1 million vs. 2.5 million). In 18-49, "Undateable" hit a 19-week time-slot high for NBC (best since a 1.0 with "Jurassic Park" on June 5). With its live telecast, "Undateable" was up +29% in 18-49 versus the average for the last four "Undateable" episodes that did not have a "Voice lead-in prior to this season (0.7 for June 26-July 3, 2014) and was up +43% in total viewers (3.1 million vs. 2.2 million). L+3: The prior week's "Undateable" grew by +28% in 18-49 (0.79 to 1.01) going from L+SD to L+3 and by 476,000 viewers overall.

The debut of "Truth Be Told" (0.7/3 in 18-49, 2.6 million viewers overall from 8:30-9 p.m. ET) retained 88% of the previous week's "Undateable" rating in the time period in adults 18-49 (0.7 vs. 0.8) and a full 100% in adults 25-54 (1.0), men 25-54 (0.8) and women 25-54 (1.2) and was up 7% in total viewers (2.6 million vs. 2.4 million).

"Dateline NBC" (0.9/3 in 18-49, 4.5 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) maintained 100% of the previous week's rating in adults 18-49 (0.9 vs. 0.9) and 100% in adults 25-54 (1.4 vs. 1.4). L+7: Friday's "Dateline NBC" has increased this season by +34% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.07 to a 1.43) and 1.1 million viewers overall (5.4 million to 6.5 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Saturday

NBC Sports coverage of USC-Notre Dame COLLEGE FOOTBALL (1.0/4 in 18-49, 4.0 million viewers overall from 7:30-11:10 p.m. ET) ranked #2 for the night among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and other key measures. Notre Dame games on Oct. 17 and Sept. 5 have now generated NBC's two highest-rated Saturday nights since a Stanley Cup telecast on June 13. Versus NBC Sports' prior USC-Notre Dame telecast in 2013, Saturday's game was up +14% in total viewers. It's the most-watched USC-Notre Dame game on NBC since 2009 (6.5 million).

Sunday

NBC Sports coverage of New England Patriots-Indianapolis Colts "Sunday Night Football" (8.2/23 in 18-49, 22.8 million viewers overall from 8:31-11:33 p.m. ET) led NBC to decisive nightlong wins in all key measures, taking the night among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX by a +119% margin in adults 18-49 (6.8 vs. 3.1 for #2 CBS). The 22.8 million made it the most watched NFL primetime game facing a Major League Baseball League Championship Series game since in 19 years (since 49ers-Packers on ABC's "Monday Night Football" in 1996, 26.5 million viewers). It's also the most watched game during the NFL's Week 6 in NBC's 10-year "SNF" history.

Through the opening six weeks of the NFL season (seven telecasts), NBC is averaging 24.1 million viewers - the best viewership for the NFL's broadcast primetime package at this point in the season in 19 years (24.5 million for ABC in 1996), and up +10% from last year at this time (21.9 million viewers). For the first time in the 10-season history of "Sunday Night Football" on NBC, each of the first seven games had a larger audience than the corresponding game the prior season. "SNF" is also averaging an 8.9 rating in the adult 18-49 demographic, +6% versus last season at this point (8.4).

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