SNL Host Charles Barkley Scores Big Ratings for NBC

The January 7 edition of NBC's SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE has scored the show's highest overnight household ratings of the past 52 weeks and the top "SNL" young-adult rating in the Local People Meters since its 2010-11 season finale in May, according to "live plus same day" viewing figures from the 56 local markets metered by Nielsen Media Research and the 25 markets with Local People Meters.

Saturday night's telecast, hosted by Charles Barkley and featuring musical guest Kelly Clarkson, dominated its 11:52 p.m.-1:22 a.m. ET slot with a 7.4 rating, 18 share in metered-market households as measured from 11:45 p.m.-1:15 a.m. It's the highest "SNL" average in local-market households since the January 8, 2011 edition hosted by Jim Carrey with musical guest The Black Keys (7.8/18).

Note that "Saturday Night Live" was delayed by the overrun of the Lions-Saints NFL Wild Card Playoff Game covered by NBC Sports in primetime.

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 4.3 rating, 18 share in adults 18-49, its strongest score since the May 21, 2011 "SNL" season finale with host Justin Timberlake and musical guest Lady Gaga (4.5/18).

National ratings, including viewer totals, for Saturday night's SNL are due from Nielsen on Thursday, January 12.

Photo credit: Dana Edelson/NBC