NBC's Encore of BETTY WHITE's 90th BIRTHDAY Draws Big Ratings

Paced this week by "The Office" and Monday's telecasts of "Betty White's 90th Birthday" special and "Betty White's Off Their Rockers," NBC averaged a 1.5 rating, 4 share in adults 18-49 and 5.8 million viewers overall for the week of January 16-22, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

This week, Betty White once again demonstrated the broad, perennial appeal that has made her "America's Golden Girl." NBC's Monday special, "Betty White's 90th Birthday: A Tribute to America's Golden Girl," attracted an average 13.9 million viewers against tough competition and ranked #8 among all primetime telecasts this week in overall viewership. A Saturday rebroadcast of the birthday special gave NBC its biggest overall viewership of the season in that Saturday time period, excluding sports. And, a Monday preview of the new show "Betty White's Off Their Rockers" attracted NBC's biggest overall audience in that time period, excluding Olympics, since September 2009. With an average 12.3 million viewers, "Betty White's Off Their Rockers" ranked #12 among all primetime programs this week in overall viewership (rankings exclude NFL overruns and post-game telecasts).

Primetime averages for the week of January 16-22 in adults 18-49 were Fox (7.7/19), ABC and CBS (2.1/5), NBC (1.5/4) and CW (0.5/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were Fox (21.3 million), CBS (9.3 million), ABC (6.7 million), NBC (5.8 million) and CW (1.2 million).

NBC highlights for the week of January 16-22:

* On Monday, the special "Betty White's 90th Birthday: A Tribute to America's Golden Girl," attracted an average 13.9 million viewers, NBC's biggest overall audience in the time period, excluding Olympics, in nearly three years. The 90-minute special won the time period in total viewers, topping such formidable competition as CBS's "How I Met Your Mother," "2 Broke Girls" and "Two and a Half Men," Fox's premiere of "Alcatraz" and ABC's "The Bachelor."

* Also on Monday, a preview of "Betty White's Off Their Rockers" delivered NBC's biggest overall audience in the time period, excluding Olympics, since September 2009. "Betty White's Off Their Rockers" won its half-hour in total viewers, topping CBS's "Mike & Molly," Fox's "Alcatraz" and ABC's "The Bachelor."

* Additionally on Monday, "Rock Center with Brian Williams" reported new series highs in adults 18-49 and total viewers. Versus the prior week's telecast, "Rock Center" was up 86 percent in adults 18-49, 80 percent in adults 25-54 and 83 percent in total viewers.

* On Tuesday, "The Biggest Loser 13" attracted its biggest overall viewership of the current cycle to date. "Biggest Loser" ranked #2 in its two-hour time period in adults 18-49 and other key measures and was #1 in women 25-54 in a competitive time period opposite Fox's "Glee," "The New Girl" and "Raising Hope," ABC's "Last Man Standing" and "Celebrity Wife Swap" and CBS's encores of "NCIS" and "NCIS: LA."

* Also on Tuesday, "Parenthood" finished #1 among the broadcast networks in the 10 p.m. ET hour in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key measures. "Parenthood" attracted its biggest overall viewership since November 29.

* NBC ranked #2 among the broadcast networks Tuesday night in adults 18-49 and other key measures and tied for #1 among women 25-54.

* On Wednesday, freshmen comedies "Whitney" and "Are You There, Chelsea?" were up 23 percent and 21 percent respectively in adults 18-49 versus NBC's average in their time periods last season, despite the arrival of tough competition this week from the season premiere of "American Idol."

* Also on Wednesday, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" built on its lead-in by 64 percent in 18-49 rating. "SVU" also grew from its first half-hour to its second in both adults 18-49 and total viewers, while competing first-run dramas on ABC and CBS declined half-hour to half-hour in both measures.

* On Thursday, "Parks and Recreation" attracted its biggest overall audience since September 23 and matched its highest 18-49 rating since November 17, despite the arrival of "American Idol" in the time period. "Parks" finished #2 among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults, men and women 18-34, trailing only "American Idol" in those valuable demographics.

* Also on Thursday, "The Office" delivered its highest 18-49 rating since November 10 and attracted its biggest overall viewership since November 3. "The Office" ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in adults 18-34 in a competitive time period opposite ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," CBS's "Person of Interest" and Fox's "The Finder."

* On Friday, "Grimm" tracked down its highest 18-49 rating and biggest overall viewership since the show's second telecast on November 4. "Grimm" was up week to week by 29 percent in adults 18-49 and 27 percent or 1.3 million persons in total viewers.

* "Grimm" ranked #1 in its time period among the broadcast networks in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and other key demos and tied for the #1 rating of the night on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-49.

* Also on Friday, "Chuck" hit season highs in adults 18-49 and total viewers. Week to week, "Chuck" was up 22 percent in adults 18-49 and 21 percent in total viewers.

* NBC tied for #1 among the broadcast networks Saturday night in adults 18-49 and was #1 outright in adults 25-54 and other key demos with encore telecasts of "Betty White's 90th Birthday: A Tribute to America's Golden Girl," "Betty White's Off Their Rockers" and "Law & Order: SVU."

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 January 16-22:

On Monday, January 16 from 8-9:30 p.m. ET, "Betty White's 90th Birthday: A Tribute to America's Golden Girl" (2.7 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49, 13.9 million viewers overall) celebrated with NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the time period since December 12 and second highest of the season. The special was up 37 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC's average in the time period last season (2.7 vs. 1.7, "live plus same day") and up 166 percent in total viewers (13.856 million vs. 5.212 million). From its first half-hour to its third, "Betty White's 90th Birthday" grew by 21 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.9 from a 2.4).

With an average 13.9 million viewers, "Betty White's 90th Birthday: A Tribute to America's Golden Girl" attracted NBC's biggest overall audience in this time period, excluding Olympics, since February 18, 2008. The 90-minute special won the time period in total viewers, topping such formidable competition as CBS's "How I Met Your Mother," "2 Broke Girls" and "Two and a Half Men," Fox's premiere of "Alcatraz" and ABC's "The Bachelor."

Monday from 9:30-10 p.m. ET, a preview of "Betty White's Off Their Rockers" (2.6/6 in 18-49, 12.3 million viewers overall) delivered NBC's biggest overall audience in the time period, excluding Olympics, since September 14, 2009. "Betty White's Off Their Rockers" was up 53 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC's average in this time period last season (2.6 vs. 1.7, "live plus same day") and up 123 percent in total viewers (12.256 million vs. 5.505 million).

"Betty White's Off Their Rockers" won the time period in total viewers, topping CBS's "Mike & Molly," Fox's "Alcatraz" and ABC's "The Bachelor."

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, "Rock Center with Brian Williams" (1.3/3 in 18-49, 5.6 million viewers overall) reported new series highs in adults 18-49 and total viewers. Versus the prior week's telecast, "Rock Center" was up 86 percent in 18-49 rating (1.3 vs. 0.7), 80 percent in adults 25-54 (1.8 vs. 1.0) and 83 percent in total viewers (5.566 million vs. 3.038 million). "Rock Center" delivered NBC's biggest overall audience in this time period so far this season and highest 18-49 rating in the hour since September 26.

On Tuesday, January 17 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser 13" (2.3/6 in 18-49, 6.7 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in its two-hour time period in adults 18-49 and other key measures and #1 in women 25-54 in a competitive time period opposite Fox's "Glee," "The New Girl" and "Raising Hope," ABC's "Last Man Standing" and "Celebrity Wife Swap" and CBS's encores of "NCIS" and "NCIS: LA."

"Biggest Loser" grew from its first half-hour to its fourth in all key measures, including gains of 19 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 2.5 rating from a 2.2) and 15 percent in adults 25-54 (3.0 vs. 2.6). "Loser" outperformed ABC's "Celebrity Wife Swap" head-to-head from 9-10 p.m. ET in adults 18-49 (with a 2.4 rating in that hour vs. a 2.1).

In total viewers, "The Biggest Loser 13" attracted its biggest overall audience of the current cycle to date.

At 10 p.m. ET, "Parenthood" (1.7/5 in 18-49, 5.07 million viewers overall) finished #1 among the broadcast networks in the hour in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key measures versus ABC's first-run "Body of Proof" and CBS's encore "Unforgettable." "Parenthood" was up week to week by 6 percent in total viewers (5.0 million vs. 4.7 million), to deliver its biggest overall viewership since November 29. It's worth noting that so far this season, "Parenthood" has been adding an average 43 percent in adults 18-49 to these "live plus same day" ratings when Nielsen issues "live plus seven day" results.

NBC ranked #2 among the broadcast networks Tuesday night in adults 18-49 and other key measures and tied for #1 among women 25-54.

On Wednesday, January 18 from 8-8:30 p.m. ET, "Whitney" averaged a 1.6/4 in 18-49 and 4.2 million viewers overall. It's worth noting that so far this season, first-run telecasts of "Whitney" have been adding on average 34 percent to their next-day "live plus same day" ratings when Nielsen issues "live plus seven day" results.

Despite airing against tough competition that included the season premiere of Fox's "American Idol," "Whitney" was up 23 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC's average in this time period last season (1.6 vs. 1.3, "live plus same day").

Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET, "Are You There, Chelsea?" (1.7/4 in 18-49, 4.2 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 6 percent in 18-49 rating. Despite intense time-period competition that included Fox's season premiere of "American Idol," "Chelsea" was up 21 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC's average in this time period last season (1.7 vs. 1.4, "live plus same day").

Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, "Harry's Law" averaged a 1.1/3 in adults 18-49 and 6.4 million viewers overall. Despite the arrival of competition this week from "American Idol," "Harry's Law" finished within a tenth of a rating point of its prior week's 1.2 rating in adults 18-49. "Harry's Law" built on its lead-in by 52 percent in total viewers. Note that so far this season first-run episodes of "Harry's Law" have been adding on average 42 percent to these next-day "live plus same day" ratings when Nielsen issues "live plus seven day" results.

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1.8/5 in 18-49, 6.4 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 64 percent in 18-49 rating. "SVU" grew from its first half-hour to its second by 6 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.9 rating from a 1.8) and 5 percent in total viewers (6.575 million vs. 6.271 million), while competing first-run dramas on ABC and CBS declined half-hour to half-hour in both measures. Note that first-run episodes of "Law & Order: SVU" so far this season have been adding on average 45 percent to these next-day "live plus same day" ratings when Nielsen issues "live plus seven day" results

On Thursday, January 19 at 8 p.m. ET, "30 Rock" averaged a 1.6/4 in 18-49, and 4.1 million viewers overall in a highly competitive time period versus Fox's Thursday debut of "American Idol," CBS's "Big Bang Theory," ABC's "Wipeout" and CW's "Vampire Diaries."

Thursday at 8:30 ET, "Parks and Recreation" (1.9/5 in 18-49, 4.3 million viewers overall) attracted its biggest overall audience since September 23 and matched its highest 18-49 rating since November 17, despite the arrival of "American Idol" in the time period. "Parks" built on its lead-in by 19 percent in adults 18-49 and 53 percent in adults 18-34 (2.3 vs. 1.5). "Parks" finished #2 among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults, men and women 18-34, trailing only "American Idol" in those valuable demographics. 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" (3.0/7 in 18-49, 6.0 million viewers overall) delivered its highest 18-49 rating since November 10 and attracted its biggest overall viewership since November 3. "The Office" built on its lead-in by 58 percent in 18-49 rating and 41 percent in total viewers. "The Office" ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in adults 18-34 in a competitive time period opposite ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," CBS's "Person of Interest" and Fox's "The Finder." Note that on average this season, "Office" originals have been adding 44 percent to their next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 ratings when Nielsen reports additional time-shifted viewing in "live plus seven day" ratings.

Thursday at 9:31 ET, "Up All Night" (1.9/5 in 18-49, 4.0 million viewers overall) finished #2 among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults and women 18-34 and #1 in men 18-34 in a competitive time period opposite the concluding half-hours of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," CBS's "Person of Interest" and Fox's "The Finder." Note that "Up All Night" originals have been adding on average 48 percent to their "live plus same day" 18-49 ratings so far this season when Nielsen reports additional time-shifted viewing in "live plus seven day" ratings.

Thursday at 10 p.m. ET, "The Firm" averaged a 0.9/2 in 18-49 and 3.4 million viewers overall.

On Friday, January 20 at 8 p.m. ET, "Chuck" (1.1/3 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall) scored season highs in adults 18-49 and total viewers. Week to week, "Chuck" was up 22 percent in 18-49 rating (1.1 vs. 0.9) and 21 percent in total viewers (3.824 million vs. 3.167 million). Note that on average this season, "Chuck" originals have been adding 40 percent to their next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 ratings when Nielsen reports additional time-shifted viewing in "live plus seven day" ratings.

Friday at 9 p.m. ET, "Grimm" (1.8/5 in 18-49, 5.9 million viewers overall) tracked down its highest 18-49 rating and biggest overall viewership since the show's second telecast on November 4. "Grimm" was up week to week by 29 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.8 from a 1.4) and 27 percent or 1.3 million persons in total viewers (5.919 million vs. 4.649 million). "Grimm" built on its lead-in by 64 percent in 18-49 rating and 55 percent in total viewers.

"Grimm" ranked #1 in its time period among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults, men and women 18-49 and adults, men and women 25-54. "Grimm" tied for the #1 rating of the night on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-49 (with a 1.8 rating, tied with ABC's "20/20"). So far this season, first-run episodes of "Grimm" have been adding an average 55 percent to their next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 rating when Nielsen reports time-shifted "live plus seven day" results.

Friday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.4/4, 5.5 million viewers overall) grew week to week by 8 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.4 from a 1.3) and 5 percent in total viewers (5.516 million vs. 5.238 million). "Dateline" ranked #2 in the hour in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and other key demos.

NBC ranked #2 in primetime Friday among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-49 and other key demos.

On Saturday, Jan. 14 from 8-9:30 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Betty White's 90th Birthday: A Tribute to America's Golden Girl" (1.1/3 in adults 18-49, 4.9 million viewers overall) earned NBC's second highest 18-49 rating in the time period this season, excluding sports, and delivered a non-sports season high in total viewers. The special ranked #2 in the slot among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49 and was #1 in the time period in total viewers. From its first half-hour to its third, "Betty White's 90th Birthday" grew by 25 percent or 1.1 million persons in total viewers (5.4 million vs. 4.3 million).

Saturday from 9:30-10 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "Betty White's Off Their Rockers" (1.2/6 in 18-49, 4.7 million viewers overall) tied for #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in the time period in adults 18-49 and was #1 outright in women 18-49, adults, men and women 25-54 and total viewers.

Saturday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: SVU" (0.9/3 in 18-49, 3.4 million viewers overall) was up versus its results for the prior Saturday by 29 percent in 18-49 rating (0.9 vs. 0.7). "SVU" ranked #2 among ABC, CBS and NBC in the hour in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and numerous other key categories.

NBC tied for #1 Saturday night among the broadcast networks in adults 18-49 and was #1 outright in adults 25-54, women 18-49 and women 25-54.

On Sunday January 22 from 7-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Dateline Classic" averaged a 1.1/2 in 18-49 and 5.2 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Dateline Classic" grew by 63 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.3 from a 0.8) and 51 percent or 2.1 million persons in total viewers (6.129 million vs. 4.046 million). Versus 7-8 p.m. results on the same night last year, "Dateline Classic" was up 83 percent in 18-49 rating (with a 1.1 vs. a 0.6) and 12 percent in total viewers (5.196 million vs. 4.624 million).

Sunday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Prime Suspect" delivered a 0.8/2 in 18-49 and 4.3 million viewers overall. At 10 p.m., a second telecast of "Prime Suspect" averaged a 0.7/2 in 18-49 and 3.7 million viewers overall.

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