NBC's THE VOICE Is the #1 Series for Primetime Week

NBC's broad-based hit THE VOICE was the week's top series program on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox, ranking below only ABC's Academy Awards coverage, in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 (tied with CBS's "Big Bang Theory"), all key adult-female demos and teens 12-17. Among kids 2-11, "The Voice" was the #1 primetime telecast overall on those networks, ahead of the Academy Awards.

Primetime averages for the week of February 20-26 in adults 18-49 were ABC (3.2/9), Fox (2.4/6), CBS (2.3.6), NBC (1.8/5) and CW (0.5/2). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were ABC (10.7 million), CBS (10.1 million), Fox (6.8 million), NBC (5.4 million) and CW (1.1 million).

Versus the same week last year, NBC is up 20 percent in 18-49 rating (with a 1.8 vs. a 1.5) while ABC, CBS and Fox were all flat or down.

Through Sunday, Feb. 26, with 25 nights of the 28-night Nielsen February sweep period measured, "most current" averages in adults 18-49 are: NBC (a 3.8 rating), CBS (3.0), Fox (2.7), ABC (2.5) and CW (0.7). In total viewers, the 25-night "most current" February sweep averages are CBS (12.2 million), NBC (10.7 million), ABC (7.9 million), Fox (7.6 million) and CW (1.7 million).

With this year's boosts from the Super Bowl and "The Voice," NBC is currently up versus the year-ago February sweep by 137 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.8 from a 1.6) and up 92 percent in total viewers (10.7 million vs. 5.6 million). With three nights left to count in the period, NBC is #1 in all key demographics - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

"The Voice" is the #1 series for the February sweep in adults, men and women 18-34; adults, men and women 18-49; adults and women 25-54; kids 2-11 and teens 12-17.

NBC highlights for the week of February 20-26

* On Monday, "The Voice" won its 8-10 p.m. ET slot among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in every key ratings measure. In adults 18-49, "The Voice" topped its closest competitor -- CBS's first-run comedy block -- by 54 percent.

* That February 20 telecast of "The Voice" was up 233 percent in 18-49 rating and 187 percent in total viewers versus NBC's averages in this slot this season prior to "The Voice." Through three weeks, "The Voice" has delivered NBC's three highest 18-49 ratings in this time period, excluding Olympics, in nearly five years.

* Also on Monday, week three of "Smash" beat NBC's time-period average prior to "Smash" by 130 percent in 18-49 rating.

* NBC won Monday in adults 18-49 for a third week in a row after not having won an in-season Monday with regularly scheduled programming in four years.

* On Tuesday, "The Biggest Loser" matched its top 18-49 rating since January 10 and "Parenthood" equaled its highest since November 29.

* On Wednesday, "Law & Order: SVU" generated half-hour to half-hour increases in every key ratings category and finished #2 for the time period among ABC, CBS and NBC in virtually every key measure.

* On Thursday, "The Office" and "Up All Night" both grew week to week by 13 percent in 18-49 rating and NBC's 10 p.m. ET encore of "Grimm" was up 50 percent versus the prior week.

* On Friday, "Grimm" ranked #1 in the 9 p.m. ET hour among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-49.

* Friday's "Dateline NBC" grew week-to-week by 18 percent in adults 18-49, 20 percent in adults 25-54 and 14 percent in total viewers.

* On Sunday, "The Celebrity Apprentice" delivered the #2 biggest audiences in its time period among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49 and total viewers behind only ABC's Academy Awards. From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Celebrity Apprentice" grew by 19 percent in 18-49.

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 February 20-26:

On Monday, Feb. 20 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Voice" (6.0 rating, 15 share in adults 18-49, 16.0 million viewers overall) dominated its two-hour time period, ranking #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in all key ratings measures. In adults 18-49, "The Voice" led the 8-10 p.m. block over #2 CBS by a 54 percent margin (with a 6.0 rating vs. a 3.9). From its first half-hour to its fourth, "The Voice" grew by 25 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 6.5 from a 5.2) and by 21 percent or 3.0 million persons in total viewers (17.2 million vs. 14.2 million).

Despite Monday's Presidents Day holiday, "The Voice" continued to pace well ahead of its year-ago cycle, up 28 percent last night versus last season's third regular-slot telecast (with a 6.0 vs. a 4.7 on Tuesday, May 10, 2011). In total viewers, the gain versus episode three last year was 54 percent or 5.6 million persons (16.042 million vs. 10.450 million). Versus NBC's averages in the time period this season prior to "The Voice," the February 20 telecast is up 233 percent in 18-49 rating (with a 6.0 vs. a 1.8) and up 187 percent in total viewers (16.042 million vs. 5.587 million).

"The Voice" has now generated NBC's three highest non-Olympic 18-49 ratings in this slot in nearly five years (since March 5, 2007). And "The Voice" has delivered NBC's first three 18-49 wins over regular, original, in-season broadcast competition in this slot, excluding Olympics, since November 3, 2008, as well as NBC's first three wins with a full two hours of 8-10 p.m. regular programming over a full block of regular CBS original comedies since November 5, 2007.

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, "Smash" (2.3/6, 6.5 million viewers overall) beat NBC's time-period average this season prior to "Smash" by 130 percent n 18-49 rating (with a 2.3 vs. a 1.0) and by 67 percent or 2.6 million persons in total viewers (6.469 million vs. 3.864 million). "Smash" won the time period among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-34 and women 18-34.

In 18-49, "Smash" has now delivered NBC's three highest in-season ratings in the time period since September 20, 2010.

NBC has won Monday night in adults 18-49 for a third week in a row after not having won an in-season Monday with regularly scheduled programming in four years (since February 18, 2008). NBC also led ABC and CBS on February 20 in total viewers, adults, men and women 18-34; adults, men and women 18-49; and adults and women 25-54.

On Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 8-9 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser 13" (2.3/6 in 18-49, 6.6 million viewers overall) improved by 10 percent week to week in adults 18-49 (to a 2.3 rating fro a 2.1) to match its highest rating since January 10. In total viewers, "Biggest Loser" is up 13 percent week to week (6.627 million vs. 5.858 million) to deliver its biggest overall audience since January 17. "The Biggest Loser 13" grew from its first half-hour to its fourth by 9 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.4 from a 2.2) and ranked #2 for its final half-hour among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-49 ahead of Fox's "Raising Hope" and ABC's "The River."

Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Parenthood" (1.7/5 in 18-49, 4.9 million viewers overall) grew week to week by 6 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.7 from a 1.6) and 10 percent in total viewers (4.913 million vs. 4.483 million). "Parenthood" equaled its top 18-49 rating since November 29 and delivered its biggest overall audience since January 17. In the time period, "Parenthood" finished within 0.3 of a rating point of #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 among those networks in adults 18-34, women 18-34 and women 18-49. Note that "Parenthood" has been adding 45 percent to these next-day "live plus same day" ratings when Nielsen issues "live plus seven day" results.

On Wednesday, Feb. 22 from 8-8:30 p.m. ET, "Whitney" averaged a 1.5/4 in 18-49 and 4.1 million viewers overall in an intensely competitive time period opposite Fox's "American Idol," CBS's "Survivor: One World" and ABC's "The Middle." Versus NBC's average in the time period last season, "Whitney" is up 15 percent in 18-49 rating (with a 1.5 vs. a 1.3, "live plus same day" non-sports).

Wednesday at 8:30 ET, "Are You There, Chelsea?" (1.3/3 in 18-49, 3.4 million viewers overall) retained 87 percent of its 18-49 lead-in from "Whitney" against intense time-period competition from the concluding half-hours of "American Idol" and CBS's "Survivor: One World," plus the ABC comedy "Suburgatory."

Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, "Rock Center with BrIan Williams" averaged a 0.6/2 in adults 18-49 and 2.7 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its second, "Rock Center" grew by 7 percent in total viewers (to 2.8 million from 2.6 million).

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1.6/4 in 18-49, 6.0 million viewers overall) grew from its first half-hour to its second in every key ratings category. "SVU" increased from half-hour to half-hour by 13 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.7 rating from a 1.5) and 10 percent in total viewers (6.3 million vs. 5.7 million), while the competition on ABC and CBS was declining in both categories. "SVU" built on its lead-in by 167 percent in 18-49 rating and 122 percent in total viewers. "SVU" finished #2 or tied for #2 among ABC, CBS and NBC in the time period in 18-49,, total viewers and all other key categories and was up week to week by 1 percent in total viewers (5.987 million vs. 5.900 million).

On Thursday, Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. ET, "30 Rock" delivered a 1.5/4 in 18-49, 3.7 million viewers in an intensely competitive time period versus CBS's "Big Bang Theory," Fox's "American Idol" and ABC's "Wipeout." "30 Rock" matched its rating of the prior week and is up in total viewers by 3 percent (3.700 million vs. 3.592 million)

Thursday at 8:30 ET, "Parks and Recreation" (1.7/5 in 18-49, 3.4 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 13 percent in 18-49 rating. In the highly competitive time period versus Fox's "American Idol," CBS's "Rob" and ABC's "Wipeout," "Parks and Rec" ranks #2 among those shows in adults 18-34 and women 18-34.

Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, "The Office" (2.6/7 in 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall) is up week to week by 13 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.6 from a 2.3) and up 15 percent in total viewers (5.016 million vs. 4.379 million), to earn its highest 18-49 rating since February 2. "The Office" finished within 1 share of the time-period lead among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 among those networks in adults 18-34 and men 18-34 in a competitive time period versus ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," CBS's "Person of Interest" and Fox's "The Finder." "The Office" built on its lead-in by 53 percent in 18-49 rating and 46 percent in total viewers.

Thursday at 9:31 ET, "Up All Night" (1.7/4 in 18-49, 3.4 million viewers overall) grew week to week by 13 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.7 from a 1.5) and by 15 percent in total viewers (3.422 million vs. 2.978 million) to match its highest 18-49 rating since February 2. "Up All Night" is #2 among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-34 (tie), men 18-34 and women 18-34 in a competitive time period versus the concluding half-hours of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," CBS's "Person of Interest" and Fox's "The Finder."

Thursday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Grimm" (0.9/3 in 18-49, 2.2 million viewers overall) is up versus last week's rebroadcast in this time period by 50 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 0.9 from a 0.6) and by 18 percent in total viewers (2.174 million vs. 1.847 million).

On Friday, Feb. 24, at 8 p.m. ET, "Who Do You Think You Are?" (1.0/3 in 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall) grew from its first half-hour to its second by 10 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.1 from a 1.0) and by 5 percent in total viewers (5.1 million vs. 4.9 million).

Friday at 9 p.m. ET, "Grimm" (1.5/5 in 18-49, 4.8 million viewers overall) won the time period among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-49. "Grimm" built on its 18-49 lead-in by 50 percent. Note that on average this season, "Grimm" originals have been adding 58 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 10 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.3/4 in 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall) reported week-to-week gains of 18 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.3 rating from a 1.1), 20 percent in adults 25-54 (1.8 vs. 1.5) and 14 percent in total viewers (5.0 million vs. 4.4 million). "Dateline" ranked #2 in the hour among ABC, CBS and NBC in 18-49, 25-54 and total viewers.

On Saturday, Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "Smash" averaged a 0.3/1 in 18-49 and 1.9 million viewers overall. And at 9 p.m., "The Firm" delivered a 0.4/1 in 18-49 and 2.3 million viewers overall.

Saturday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (0.6/2 in 18-49, 3.5 million viewers overall) grew from its first half-hour to its second in all key categories, including gains of 40 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 0.7 from a 0.5) and 18 percent in total viewers (3.8 million vs. 3.2 million).

On Sunday, Feb. 26 from 7-8 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Dateline Classic" delivered a 1.1/3 in 18-49 and 5.0 million viewers overall. Then from 8-9 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast "The Celebrity Apprentice" averaged a 0.8/2 in 18-49 and 2.5 million viewers overall.

Sunday from 9-11:08 p.m. ET, "The Celebrity Apprentice" (1.8/4 in 18-49, 5.2 million viewers overall) delivered the #2 biggest audiences in the time period among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and total viewers behind ABC's Academy Awards. From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Celebrity Apprentice" grew by 19 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.9 from a 1.6) and by 14 percent in total viewers (5.2 million vs. 4.5 million). "Celebrity Apprentice" built on NBC's results in the prior hour from 8-9 p.m. ET by 125 percent in 18-49 rating (1.8 vs. 0.8) and by 105 percent in total viewers (5.2 million vs. 2.5 million).

For its second hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, "The Celebrity Apprentice" ranked #2 among ABC, CBS and NBC in every key ratings category -- adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, plus total viewers -- behind ABC's coverage of the Academy Awards.

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