NBC is #2 in Adults 18-49 Ratings for Primetime Week

Led by "NBC Sunday Night Football," which was the #1 primetime program of the week in adults 18-49, NBC ranked #2 for the week in adults 18-49, averaging a 2.3 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 7.3 million viewers overall for the week of November 28-December 4, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research. For the week, NBC also ranked #2 among the broadcast networks in adults 18-34, women 18-34 (tied) and all key adult-male demographics - men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

This week's "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast, in which the New Orleans Saints defeated the Detroit Lions 31-17, was the #1 primetime program of the week on the broadcast networks in the key demographic of adults 18-49 and numerous other key demographic measures. Also ranking among the top programs of the week in adults 18-49 was "The Office" (#16). And, with an average 18.9 million viewers, "Sunday Night Football" was also the #1 primetime program of the week in total viewers (rankings exclude NFL overruns and pre and post game telecasts). .

Primetime averages for the week of November 28-December 4 in adults 18-49 were Fox (3.0/8), NBC (2.3/6), CBS (2.2/6), ABC (1.8/5) and CW (0.6/2). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (9.0 million), Fox (8.6 million), NBC (7.3 million), ABC (6.5 million) and CW (1.6 million).

NBC highlights for the week of November 28-December 4:

* On Sunday, NBC Sports' "Sunday Night Football" telecast of the Detroit Lions at the New Orleans Saints led NBC to a Sunday primetime win in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key measures.

* On Saturday, NBC's 31st primetime telecast of the 1946 classic movie "It's a Wonderful Life" unwrapped NBC's top 18-49 rating for a non-sports Saturday night in nearly a year, since another "Wonderful Life" telecast in December 2010.

* On Thursday, "The Office" ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key measures. "The Office" built on its lead-in by 61 percent in 18-49 rating and 55 percent in total viewers.

* On Wednesday, "Law & Order: SVU" grew versus its most recent telecast by 16 percent in 18-49 rating and 36 percent in total viewers to match its highest rating in the demo since premiere week and hit a new season high in total viewers.

* "SVU" won its time period versus all broadcast and cable competition in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key measures.

* So far this season, "SVU" has been adding 45 percent in 18-49 rating and 31 percent in total viewers when going from "live plus same day" to its "live plus seven day" results.

* Also on Wednesday, "Harry's Law" was up versus its most recent telecast by 18 percent in 18-49 rating and 38 percent in total viewers to match its season high in 18-49 and set a new season high in total viewers.

* "Harry's Law" ranked #1 in its hour in total viewers versus all broadcast and cable competition.

* Additionally on Wednesday, the holiday special "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating in its time period since September 21, during premiere week, while hitting a season slot high for the network in total viewers.

* On Tuesday, "The Biggest Loser" weighed in with its biggest overall viewership of the season, while matching a season high in adults 18-49. Week to week, "Loser" gained 20 percent in adults 18-49 and 28 percent in total viewers.

* Also on Tuesday, "Parenthood" increased week to week by 26 percent in total viewers to attract its biggest overall audience since its season premiere on September 13. In adults 18-49, "Parenthood" was up 11 percent week to week.

* So far this season, "Parenthood" has added an average 43 percent in 18-49 rating and 37 percent in total viewers when going from the previously reported "live plus same day" to its "live plus seven day" results.

* On Monday, the finale of "The Sing-Off" hit a season high in total viewers and scored its top 18-49 rating since October 18. Week to week, "The Sing Off" gained 14 percent in 18-49 rating and 40 percent in total viewers.

* Also on Monday, "Rock Center with Brian Williams" grew week to week by 20 percent in total viewers to deliver a series high. In adults 18-49, "Rock Center" grew 22 percent week to week, to match its top 18-49 rating to date.

Ratings reflect "live plus same day" data unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date figures are averages of "live plus seven day" data except for the two most recent weeks, which are "live plus same day."

Additional NBC highlights for the week of November 28-December 4:

On Monday, November 28 from 8-10 p.m. ET, the finale of "The Sing-Off" (1.6 rating, 4 share in adults 18-49, 6.0 million viewers overall) hit a season high in total viewers and scored its highest 18-49 rating since October 18. Week to week, "The Sing Off" was up 14 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.6 rating from a 1.4) and 40 percent in total viewers (6.0 million vs. 4.3 million). Note that on average this season, "The Sing-Off" has added 20 percent to its "live plus same day" 18-49 rating when Nielsen reports additional time-shifted viewing in "live plus seven day" results.

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, "Rock Center with Brian Williams" (1.1/3 in 18-49, 4.4 million viewers overall) delivered a series high in total viewers and matched its top 18-49 rating to date. "Rock Center" also attracted NBC's biggest overall audience in the time period since Monday, September 19, during premiere week. Week to week, "Rock Center" was up 22 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.1 from a 0.9) and 20 percent in total viewers (4.354 million vs. 3.638 million).

On Tuesday, November 29 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser" (2.4/6 in 18-49, 7.1 million viewers) gained 20 percent week to week in 18-49 rating (2.4 vs. 2.0) and 28 percent in total viewers (7.120 million vs. 5.583 million). "Loser" hit a season high in total viewers and matched its highest 18-49 rating of the season despite tough time period competition that included CBS's "Rudolph" holiday special and "NCIS" encore, ABC's "Last Man Standing," "Man Up" and "Middle" encore and Fox's "Glee," "The New Girl" and "Raising Hope." From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Loser" increased 13 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 2.6 rating from a 2.3) and 14 percent in adults 25-54 (3.2 vs. 2.8).

Tuesday at 10 p.m., "Parenthood" (2.1/5 in 18-49, 5.8 million viewers overall) grew week to week by 11 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 2.1 rating from a 1.9) and 26 percent in total viewers (5.8 million vs. 4.6 million), to deliver its top 18-49 rating since November 1 and attract its biggest overall viewership since its season premiere on September 13, despite competition from CBS's "Victoria's Secret Fashion Show" and ABC's "Body Of Proof." Note that so far this season, "Parenthood" has added an average 43 percent in 18-49 rating and 37 percent in total viewers when going from the previously reported "live plus same day" rating to its "live plus seven day" figures.

On Wednesday, November 30 from 8-9 p.m. ET, the holiday special "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" (1.9/5 in adults 18-49, 9.4 million viewers overall) delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period since September 21, during premiere week, while hitting a season slot high for the network in total viewers. "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" matched its 1.9 adult 18-49 rating of a year ago in a highly competitive time period that included Fox's "X Factor," CBS's "Survivor" and ABC's "The Middle" and "Suburgatory" encores.

"Christmas in Rockefeller Center" grew from its first half-hour to its second in all key measures, including gains of 24 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 2.1 rating from a 1.7), 25 percent in women 18-49 (to a 2.5 from a 2.0) and 12 percent in total viewers (to 10.0 million from 8.9 million).

Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, "Harry's Law" (1.3/3 in adults 18-49, 9.9 million viewers overall) was up versus its prior telecast by 18 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.3 from a 1.1 on November 16), to match its season high in the demo. In total viewers, "Harry's Law" was up 38 percent versus its previous telecast (9.9 million vs. 7.2 million), to set a new season high by that measure. It marks the biggest overall audience for a telecast of "Harry's Law" since March 14 of last season.

"Harry's Law" ranked #1 in the hour versus all broadcast and cable competition in total viewers. In total viewers, the nine original episodes of "Harry's Law" this fall have delivered NBC's nine biggest audiences in the time period on an in-season Wednesday since February 9. Versus NBC's total-viewer average in the time slot last season, this week's "Harry's Law" is up 72 percent (9.875 million vs. 5.752 million, "live plus same day," non-sports).

It is worth noting that "Harry's Law" has been adding 41 percent in 18-49 rating and 30 percent in total viewers to these next-day "live plus same day" results when Nielsen issues "live plus seven day" results so far this season

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2.2//6 in 18-49, 9.9 million viewers overall) increased versus its most recent telecast by 16 percent in 18-49 rating (22.2 vs. 1.9 on November 16) and 36 percent in total viewers (9.900 million vs. 7.330 million). "SVU" matched its highest 18-49 rating since September 21 during premiere week and hit a new season high in total viewers. This is the biggest overall viewership for an episode of "SVU" since a two-hour telecast last season on January 5.

"Law & Order" SVU" ranked #1 in its time period versus all broadcast and cable competition in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key measures. "SVU" grew from its first half-hour to its second by 14 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.4 from a 2.1) and 5 percent in total viewers (10.2 million vs. 9.7 million), while competing programming on ABC and CBS declined half-hour to half-hour in both measures.

"SVU" matched its prior week's 18-49 rating while growing 9 percent week to week in total viewers (7.3 million vs. 6.7 million), to deliver its biggest overall audience since October 19.

It's worth noting that so far this season, "SVU" has been adding 45 percent in 18-49 rating and 31 percent in total viewers to its next-day "live plus same day" results when Nielsen issues "live plus seven day" results

On Thursday, December 1 at 8 p.m. ET, "Community" (1.7/5 in 18-49, 3.7 million viewers overall) matched its highest 18-49 rating since September 29 and attracted its biggest overall audience since November 3 in a competitive time period versus Fox's "X Factor," CBS's encore "Big Bang Theory" and ABC's "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."

On average this season, "Community" originals have been adding 39 percent to their next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 rating when Nielsen reports additional time-shifted viewing in "live plus seven day" ratings.

Thursday at 8:30 ET, "Parks and Recreation" (1.8/5 in 18-49, 3.7 million viewers overall) built on its 18-49 lead-in by 6 percent in a slot where NBC was on average flat last season versus original lead-ins from "Community." In a competitive time period versus CBS's encore "Rules of Engagement," Fox's "X Factor" and ABC's "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "Parks and Recreation" improved on NBC's average in the time period last season by 13 percent in 18-49 rating (1.8 vs. 1.6, "live plus same day," non-sports). Keep in mind that on average this season, original telecasts of "Parks" have been adding 34 percent to their next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 rating when Nielsen includes additional time-shifted viewing in "live plus seven day" ratings.

Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, "The Office" (2.9/8 in 18-49, 5.7 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key measures. "The Office" built on its lead-in by 61 percent in 18-49 rating and 55 percent in total viewers in a competitive time period versus ABC's "CMA Country Christmas," Fox's "Bones" and CBS's encore "Person of Interest."

Note that on average this season, "Office" originals have been adding 43 percent to their next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 rating when Nielsen reports additional time-shifted viewing in "live plus seven day" ratings.

Thursday at 9:31 ET, "Whitney" averaged a 1.9/5 in adults 18-49 and 3.9 million viewers overall in a competitive time period versus ABC's "CMA Country Christmas," Fox's Bones" and CBS's encore "Person of Interest." In the time period, "Whitney" ranked #2 among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults, men and women 18-34 and men 18-49. Note that on average this season, "Whitney" originals have been adding 34 percent to their next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 rating when Nielsen reports additional time-shifted viewing in "live plus seven day" ratings.

Thursday at 10 p.m. ET, "Prime Suspect" averaged a 1.3/4 in 18-49 and 4.6 million viewers overall, building on its lead-in by 19 percent in total viewers. Versus its most recent telecast on November 17, "Prime Suspect" increased by 18 percent in 18-49 rating and 8 percent in total viewers (4.693 million vs. 4.338 million). Note that on average this season, original telecasts of "Prime Suspect" have been adding 37 percent to their next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 rating when Nielsen reports additional time-shifted viewing in "live plus seven day" ratings.

On Friday, December 2 from 8-10 p.m. ET, the "NBC Movie of the Week" telecast of "Game of Your Life" averaged a 0.5/2 in 18-49 and 2.1 million viewers overall.

Friday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" averaged a 1.0/3 in adults 18-49 and 4.1 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its second, "Dateline" reported increases of 33 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.2 from a 0.9) and 19 percent in total viewers (4.446 million vs. 3.731 million).

On Saturday, December 3 from 8-11 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of the 1946 movie classic "It's a Wonderful Life" (1.1/3 in 18-49, 4.5 million viewers overall) delivered NBC's top 18-49 rating for a non-sports Saturday night since another "Wonderful Life" telecast averaged a 1.2 on December 11, 2010. In total viewers, this was NBC's top Saturday result since October 1.

From its first half-hour to its sixth, "It's a Wonderful Life" increased by 100 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.4 from a 0.7) and by 45 percent or more than 1.6 million persons in total viewers (to 5.4 million from 3.8 million).

Among seven theatrical motion pictures that have aired so far this season on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW, NBC's telecast of "It's a Wonderful Life" ranks #1 in total viewers and is tied for #2 in adults 18-49.

This marks NBC's 31st primetime telecast of "It's a Wonderful Life," directed by Frank Capra and starring Jimmy Stewart, since the movie was brought to broadcast network television in 1994. In 2006, the American Film Institute named "It's a Wonderful Life" the most inspiring movie of all time in its list of America's 100 Most Inspiring Movies.

On Sunday, December 4, the "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the Detroit Lions at the New Orleans Saints led NBC to a primetime win in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. For its full duration, the Lions-Saints game averaged a 7.4/18 in adults 18-49, 18.9 million viewers overall and an 11.5/18 household rating/share from 8:31-11:17 p.m. ET.

NBC ranked #1 in primetime Sunday in adults and men 18-49, adults, men and women 25-54 and in total viewers. NBC topped its closest primetime rival by 5 percent in 18-49 rating (6.1 vs. a 5.8 for Fox, which was boosted by an NFL overrun) and 9 percent in total viewers (16.0 million vs. 14.6 million for Fox).

Also on Sunday, "Football Night in America 2" from 7:30-7:57 p.m. ET averaged a 1.1/3 in 18-49, 3.4 million viewers overall and a 2.3/4 household rating/share. "Football Night in America 3" from 7:57-8:22 p.m. delivered a 4.1/11 in 18-49, 11.2 million viewers overall and a 6.8/11 in households. From 8:22-8:31 p.m., "NBC Sunday Night Football Pre Kickoff" averaged a 5.5/14 in 18-49, 14.8 million viewers overall and an 8.9/14 in households. Note: "Football Night in America" from 7-7:30 p.m. ET was sustaining programming and does not figure in the nightly or weekly primetime averages.

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