NBC's 'Best of' SNL Special Scores Near Season High Ratings

"SNL Best of This Season" averaged a 5.6/14 in household results in Nielsen's 56 metered markets and a 3.0/12 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with Local People Meters from midnight to 1:30 a.m. ET, making it the #1 non-sports telecast of the night on ABC, CBS and FOX in 18-49 rating in the Local People Meters, topping all Primetime entertainment programming on those networks. "SNL Best of This Season" was delayed by the overrun of NBC's Primetime NFL Wild Card playoff coverage.

These are the second-highest "SNL" results of the season to date, behind only the Dec. 21 edition hosted by Jimmy Fallon with musical guest Justin Timberlake (6.4/16 in metered-market households, 3.9/18 in the Local People Meters).

Versus an encore telecast on the same night last year, "SNL Best of This Season" is up 24% in metered-market households (5.6/14 vs. 4.5/11) and up 25% in 18-49 in the Local People Meters (3.0/.12 vs. 2.4/11).

Saturday Primetime Results: Note that the fast-affiliate Nielsens that came in at 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT are not time zone-adjusted and typically understate live NFL telecasts. Despite that, NBC is #1 for the night among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in adults 18-49, total viewers and every other key measures in the fast-affiliate ratings.

In metered-market results, which are time zone-adjusted, NBC Sports' coverage of last night's New Orleans Saints-Philadelphia Eagles game averaged a 20.5 rating, 33 share in metered-market households from 8:15 p.m.-11:15 p.m. ET. Here are points from NBC Sports:

Yesterday's thrilling NBC "Wild Card Saturday" featuring two playoff games decided by two points-or-less on the same day for the first time in NFL postseason history averaged a combined 18.7 overnight rating and 32 share - up 9% from last year (17.2/31) and ranking as the second-best Wild Card Saturday under the Current TV format (since 2002).

The combined 18.7/32 average overnight ranks No. 2 behind only the Jan. 8, 2011 Wild Card Saturday on NBC (19.6/33 average for two one-score games: Saints-Seahawks in NFC followed by Jets-Colts in AFC) since the NFL implemented the current Wild Card Saturday TV windows in January 2002 (2001 NFL season).

BEST SATURDAY AFTERNOON AFC WILD CARD GAME SINCE '99: The Indianapolis Colts' wild 45-44 come-from-behind victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in the early game, highlighted by the second-largest comeback in NFL playoff history (28 points) and the most combined yardage in an NFL postseason game (1,049 yards), earned a 17.2/31 overnight - the best for a Saturday afternoon AFC Wild Card game since 1999 and up 6% from last season (16.2/31 for Houston's 19-13 win over Cincinnati). The telecast (4:30-8:00 p.m. ET) peaked with a 21.3/36 overnight rating for the exciting conclusion from 7:30-8 p.m. ET.

The 17.2/31 for the Colts' victory over Kansas City, highlighted by Andrew Luck's 443 passing yards and four touchdown throws and T.Y. Hilton's 13 receptions for 224 yards and two scores, is the highest overnight for a Saturday afternoon AFC Wild Card since the January 2, 1999 Buffalo-Miami game (17.9/37 on ABC). In that game, Dan Marino and the Dolphins won 24-17 after Miami's defense stopped a Doug Flutie-led Bills drive on the Miami 5-yard line with 17 seconds remaining.

SECOND-BEST OVERNIGHT EVER FOR Primetime WILD CARD: The New Orleans Saints' 26-24 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on the final play of the Primetime NFC Wild Card posted a 20.5/33 overnight, up 12% from last year (18.3/30 for Green Bay's 24-10 win over Minnesota) and the second-best overnight ever for a Primetime Wild Card game. The NFC Wild Card (8:15-11:15 p.m. ET) overnight rating peaked at a 22.2/36 for the game's climactic finish from11-11:15 p.m. ET.

The 20.5/33 overnight for the Saints' first road playoff victory in franchise history - led by quarterback Drew Brees (10 for 12 for 152 yards and a touchdown in the second half) and kicker Shayne Graham (four field goals, including the game winner as time expired) - ranked second among Primetime NFL Wild Card games behind NBC's telecast of the New York Jets' 17-16 defeat of the Indianapolis Colts on Jan. 8, 2011 (20.8/33) on a field goal on the last play of what would be Peyton Manning's final game as Colts QB.

Top 10 Metered Markets for Chiefs-Colts: 1. Kansas City, 48.0/69 2. Indianapolis, 41.3/62 3. Denver, 28.0/49 4. New Orleans 24.9/38 5. Seattle 21.6/45 5. Richmond 21.6/35 7. Sacramento, 21.5/42 7. Norfolk, 21.5/33 9. Buffalo, 21.0/35 10. Dayton, 20.9/35 Top 10 Metered Markets for Eagles-Saints: 1. New Orleans, 55.8/74 2. Philadelphia, 42.0/60 3. Richmond, 27.3/40 4. Denver, 26.9/43 5. Seattle 26.7/45 6. Sacramento, 26.4/41 7. Greensboro, 24.8/35 8. Memphis, 24.4/34 9. Charlotte, 24.0/37 9. Baltimore, 24.0/36 9. San Diego, 24.0/43 NOTE: All ratings are "live plus same day" from Nielsen Media Research unless otherwise indicated.

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