Led by "Sunday Night Football" and "The Sound of Music Live!," NBC has finished #1 in adults 18-49 and total viewers for the Primetime week of Dec. 2-8, ranking #1 or tied for #1 among the Big 4 networks in 18-49 on six of seven nights for the week. It's the first time in 11 years NBC has ranked #1 or tied for #1 on six nights during an in-season week with no Olympic help (since the week of April 29-May 5, 2002). According to "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research for the week, NBC averaged a 3.1 rating, 9 share in adults 18-49 and 10.5 million viewers overall.
This is NBC's first in-season total-viewers win in nearly a year (since the week of Dec. 31-Jan. 6, 2012) and the network's top weekly average in total viewers for an in-season week with no Olympic or
Super Bowl help in nearly five years (since the week of Dec. 31-Jan. 6, 2008). It's also NBC's biggest weekly margin of victory in total viewers (+33% vs. #2 CBS) with no Olympic or
Super Bowl boost since Dec. 31-Jan. 6, 2008 (+33%). The last time
NBC won an in-season week in total viewers by more than 33% with no Olympic or
Super Bowl help was the week of the "Seinfeld" finale (May 11-17, 1998).
In 18-49, NBC's 3.1 average for the week is its highest in 10 weeks, since the net also did a 3.1 during premiere week, and equals NBC's top in-season week since Nov. 19-25, 2012.
NBC had five of the week's top 10
Primetime programs on the Big 4 in adults 18-49 with "Sunday Night Football" (#1), "The Sound of Music Live!" (#3), the Monday and Tuesday editions of "The Voice" (tied for #5) and "The Blacklist" (tied for #7), which was the #1 drama of the week on those networks. Rankings exclude sports pre- and post-game shows. Also ranking in the top 20 for the week were "Saturday Night Live Christmas" (tied for #14), "Chicago Fire" (tied for #18) and "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" (tied for #18).
"Sunday Night Football" and "The Sound of Music Live!" ranked #1 among
Primetime programs on the Big 4 in every key ratings category for the week, with "SNF" topping the list in adults 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54; men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54; and total viewers, while "The Sound of Music Live!" was #1 in women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.
NBC has now finished #1 or tied for #1 during 10 of 11 weeks this season, finishing #2 only once during a week in which
FOX carried
World Series coverage on four of seven nights.
Through 11 weeks of the new season,
NBC ranks #1 among ABC, CBS,
NBC and
FOX in adults 18-49 and is also #1 in every other key demo - adults, men and women 18-34; men and women 18-49; and adults, men and women 25-54, including a tie with
CBS in women 25-54.
NBC leads the season by 0.5 of a rating point (with a 3.2 vs. second-place CBS's 2.7), the biggest margin for any network 11 weeks into the season in 11 years (since
NBC led by 0.8 of a point in 2002).
In total viewers,
NBC ranks #2 for the season, its highest total-viewer ranking 11 weeks into a season in nine years (since 2004).
NBC's season average of 10.0 million viewers is its biggest overall audience 11 weeks into the season in seven years (since 2006, 10.3 million). Versus one year ago,
NBC is up 13% season to date in total viewers (10.0 million vs. 8.9 million).
Primetime averages for the week of Dec. 2-8 in adults 18-49 are: NBC, 3.1/9; Fox, 2.4/7; CBS, 1.7/5; ABC, 1.6/5; and CW, 0.7/2. In overall total viewers, the weekly averages were: NBC, 10.5 million; CBS, 7.9 million; Fox, 7.2 million; ABC, 5.9 million; and CW, 1.8 million.
Season-to-date averages are: NBC, 3.2/9; CBS, 2.7/8; Fox, 2.5/7; ABC, 2.5/7; and CW, 0.9/3. In overall total viewers, the season averages are: CBS, 11.8 million; NBC, 10.0 million; ABC, 8.7 million; Fox, 7.3 million; and CW, 2.1 million.
NBC highlights for the week of Dec. 2-8:
Monday: "The Voice" and "The Blacklist" were the #1 and #2 shows of the night in 18-49 on the Big 4, with
NBC winning six of six
Primetime half-hours among those networks.
NBC won the night among ABC, CBS,
NBC and
FOX in every key ratings category.
"The Voice" (3.4 rating, 9 share in adults 18-49, 12.0 million viewers overall from 8-10:01 p.m. ET) equaled the prior week's 3.4 in 18-49 and grew in total viewers by 4% (12.0 million vs. 11.5 million) to the show's top Monday result since Oct. 28. "The Voice" ranked #1 in the time period among ABC, CBS,
NBC and
FOX in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. Versus its comparable fifth live Monday episode of the prior cycle "The Voice" was up 3% in 18-49 (3.4 vs. 3.3 on June 3) and up 7% in total viewers (12.0 million vs. 11.3 million).
"The Blacklist" (3.2/9 in adults 18-49, 11.7 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) delivered its highest rating since the show's second telecast on Sept. 30 (3.3) and in total viewers, it was the top "Blacklist" since its Sept. 23 debut (12.6 million). The week-to-week gains were 7% in 18-49 rating (to a 3.3 from a 3.0) and 6% in total viewers (11.7 million vs. 11.0 million). "The Blacklist" ranked #1 in
The Hour among ABC,
CBS and
NBC in adults 18-49 and every other key demographic, with a margin of 129% in adults 18-49 versus ABC's #2 "CMA Country Christmas" (3.2 vs. 1.4). L+7 Time-Shifting: The Nov. 11 "Blacklist" grew by 73% or 2.15 rating points in 18-49 going from these next-day L+SD ratings to L+7 (from a 2.96 to a 5.11).
Tuesday:
NBC took the night among ABC, CBS,
NBC and
FOX in adults 18-49, winning six of six half-hours with the #1, 2 and 3 shows of the night on the Big 4.
"The Biggest Loser" (2.1/6 in 18-49, 6.8 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m.) grew 5% week to week in 18-49 to score its highest result since Nov. 5 and match the show's best score since opening its season with a 2.3 on Oct. 15. In total viewers, "Biggest Loser" delivered the show's biggest overall audience since Nov. 5. This week's "Biggest Loser" grew from half-hour to half-hour in every key measure and won its time period among ABC, CBS,
NBC and
FOX in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and all key adult-female demos.
"The Voice" (3.4/10 in 18-49, 12.1 million viewers overall from 9-10:01 p.m. ET) was the #1 show of the night in adults 18-49 and other key measures and was #1 among the Big 4 nets in the time period in every key category. Week to week, "The Voice" was up 13% in 18-49 rating (to a 3.4 from a 3.0), to generate its highest Tuesday result since Nov. 12 and equal its top Tuesday rating since Oct. 29. In total viewers, this week's "Voice" was up week to week by 17% (12.1 million vs. 10.3 million), to its top Tuesday total-viewer result since Oct. 22.
"Chicago Fire" (2.3/7 in 18-49, 8.2 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) earned its highest 18-49 rating since Oct. 15 and biggest overall audience since Oct. 1. In the time slot, "Chicago Fire" was #1 among ABC,
CBS and
NBC in adults 18-49 and every other key demographic. "Chicago Fire" generated week-to-week gains in 18-49 for a second week in a row, up versus one week earlier by 10% (with a 2.3 rating vs. a 2.1) and up versus two weeks ago by 21% (2.3 vs. 1.9). In total viewers, "Chicago Fire" was up week to week by 19% or 1.3 million persons (8.2 million vs. 6.9 million). L+7 Time-Shifting: The Nov. 12 "Chicago Fire" grew by 48% or 1.04 rating points in 18-49 going from these next-day L+SD ratings to L+7 (from a 2.18 to a 3.22).
For the night,
NBC was #1 among the Big 4 in every key demo (including a tie for #1 with
FOX in men 18-34).
NBC dominated those networks in adults 18-49 with a nightlong margin of 86% (2.6 vs. a 1.4 for #2 CBS).
Wednesday:
NBC won Wednesday night in adults 18-49, with the top-rated "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" in seven years and a "Saturday Night Live Christmas" special that hit a 10-week slot high for NBC.
"Christmas In Rockefeller Center" (2.3/7 in 18-49, 9.7 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) grew versus last year by 10% in adults 18-49 (to a 2.3 rating from a 2.1), to achieve the annual special's top rating since 2006 (2.6). Versus two years ago, "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" was up 21% (2.3 vs. 1.9). It's the fourth year in a row the special has maintained or increased its year-ago 18-49 rating. In total viewers, "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" was up versus last year by 7% (9.7 million vs. 9.1 million) to the annual telecast's top result since 2010 (11.3 million).
The 2.3 is NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the time period since a "Voice" Wednesday edition on May 8 earned a 2.8. The 9.9 million is NBC's biggest overall audience in the time slot since another "Voice" telecast on Nov. 7, 2012 (10.2 million).
"Saturday Night Live Christmas" (2.6/8 in adults 18-49, 7.4 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) won the two-hour time period among ABC, CBS,
NBC and
FOX in every key demographic - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54. The "SNL" special is up versus NBC's average in the time period last season by 53% in adults 18-49 (with a 2.6 rating vs. a 1.7, "live plus same day" non-sports) and up 25% in total viewers (7.4224 million vs. 5.935 million). The 18-49 and total-viewer results are NBC's best in the time period since Sept. 25 ("SVU" season premiere, 2.7 in 18-49, 9.6 million viewers overall).
Thursday: "The Sound of Music Live!" (4.6/13 in 18-49, 18.6 million viewers overall from 8-11 p.m. ET) dominated the night with NBC's best Thursday average in total viewers, excluding sports, since May 13, 2004 (the night of the "Frasier" finale, 22.6 million viewers) and best 18-49 Thursday average, excluding sports, since April 2, 2009 ("ER" finale, 5.2). It was also the most watched non-sports Thursday night for any network since
FOX aired a Thursday "American Idol" on March 3, 2011 (25.3 million). With 18.6 million viewers, it's NBC's top total-viewer average for any night of the week with entertainment programming since Jan. 15, 2007 (Golden Globes, 20.0 million) and NBC's highest total-viewer average for any single entertainment program since the 2013 Golden Globes on 1/13/13 (19.7 million on Jan. 13, 2013).
"The Sound of Music Live!" led "The Big Bang Theory" in the 8 p.m. half-hour in total viewers (17.7 million vs. 15.6 million), marking the first time a show has topped "Big Bang" in persons 2+ head-to-head in the half-hour since "American Idol" did it on May 10, 2012.
Excluding sports, this is NBC's first Thursday win in adults 18-49 versus all-original entertainment competition on the Big 4 nets since Feb. 19, 2004. Excluding sports, it's also NBC's best Thursday in 18-49 opposite all original entertainment competition on the Big 4 since Nov. 2, 2006.
L+3 Time-Shifting: "The Sound of Music Live!" grew in "live plus three day" results to a 5.47 rating in adults 18-49 and 21.294 million viewers overall, gains of 0.83 rating points or 18% in 18-49 and 2.670 million persons or 14% in total viewers.
Upscale: In homes with $100K+ incomes, "The Sound of Music Live!" earned a 6.8 rating in adults 18-49, tying the "Modern Family" season premiere on Sept. 25 as the highest rated Big 4 entertainment telecast since
The Academy Awards on Feb. 24. In homes where the head of household has four or more years of college education, "The Sound of Music Live!" scored a 7.0 rating in adults 18-49, making it the #1 entertainment telecast on ABC, CBS,
NBC or
FOX in that category so far this season.
Friday:
NBC tied for #1 Friday night among the Big 4 in 18-49, its first share of the Friday lead in six weeks (since Oct. 25). It was the sixth night in a row
NBC finished #1 or tied for #1 in 18-49 among the Big 4, the first time in 11 years, since June 2002, that
NBC has held a share of first place for six nights in a row (since June 2-7, 2002, NBC's last in-season six-night streak was May 1-6, 2002).
"Dateline NBC" (1.4/5 in 18-49, 7.3 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) reported its top 18-49 rating for a Friday edition since Sept. 13 (1.4) and matched its best since Jan. 4 (1.5). In adults 25-54, it was the strongest "Dateline" (2.0) since Sept. 27. In total viewers, it was the top Friday "Dateline" in more than two and a half years (since March 25, 2011, 8.2 million). "Dateline" won
The Hour among ABC, CBS,
NBC and
FOX in total viewers.
"Grimm" (1.6/5 in 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall at 9 p.m. ET) matched its highest rating since the show's season premiere captured a 1.8/6 on Oct. 25. "Grimm" ranked #2 in the time period among ABC, CBS,
NBC and
FOX in adults 18-49, total viewers and all other key measures. In total viewers, it's the #2 "Grimm" ever, highest since the series premiere did 6.6 million on Oct. 28, 2011. L+7 Time-Shifting: The Nov. 15 "Grimm" grew by 69% or 1.07 rating points in 18-49 going from these next-day L+SD ratings to L+7 (from a 1.56 to a 2.63).
"Dracula" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall at 10 p.m. ET) delivered its highest rating since the show's second episode Nov. 1 (1.3). In the time period, "Dracula" is tied for #1 among the Big 4 nets in adults 18-49 and is #1 outright in women 18-49 and adults, men and women 18-34. In total viewers, it's the top "Dracula" since the series premiere on Oct. 25 (5.3 million). L+7 Time-Shifting: The Nov. 15 "Dracula" grew by 79% or 0.74 of a rating point in 18-49 going from these next-day L+SD ratings to L+7 (from a 0.94 to a 1.68).
Saturday: A rebroadcast of "Saturday Night Live," with host Tina Fey and musical guest Arcade Fire (0.8/2 in 18-49, 3.0 million viewers overall from10-11 p.m. ET), equaled the show's season high for an encore in this time period in adults 18-49 and set new season highs in this slot in adults 25-54 (1.1 rating) and total viewers.
At 8 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" averaged a 0.5/2 in 18-49 and 2.7 million viewers overall, matching NBC's 18-49 ratings in this time period over the last three weeks. At 9 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "The Blacklist" delivered a 0.5/1 in 18-49 and 2.5 million viewers overall, topping its two previous Saturday encores in 18-49 and beating its three prior Saturday rebroadcasts in total viewers.
Sunday: "Sunday Night Football" (6.9/17 in 18-49, 19.1 million viewers overall from 8:31-11:20 p.m. ET), featuring the Carolina Panthers at the New Orleans Saints, ranked #1 for the night on ABC, CBS,
NBC and
FOX in every key measure - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, plus total viewers -- and led
NBC to the nightlong victory among those networks in all key categories.
Fourteen weeks into the NFL season, "Sunday Night Football" is delivering the strongest "live plus same day" total-viewer average for a
Primetime NFL series (21.9 million, L+SD) at this point in the season in 17 years (since ABC's Monday coverage in 1996, 23.3 million).
WEEKLY AVERAGES
Average rating, share and audience in each category
ADULTS 18-49
NBC 3.1/9, 3.9 million
Fox 2.4/7, 3.0 million
CBS 1.7/5, 2.2 million
ABC 1.6/5, 2.1 million
CW 0.7/2, 0.9 million
Each rating point equals 1.27 million viewers
ADULTS 25-54
NBC 3.7/9, 4.4 million
Fox 2.7/7, 3.3 million
CBS 2.4/6, 2.8 million
ABC 2.0/5, 2.4 million
CW 0.7/2, 0.9 million
Each rating point equals 1.20 million viewers
TOTAL VIEWERS
NBC 3.6/9, 10.5 million
CBS 2.7/7, 7.9 million
Fox 2.4/6, 7.2 million
ABC 2.0/5, 5.9 million
CW 0.6/1, 1.8 million
Each rating point equals 2.95 million viewers
SEASON TO DATE
Average rating, share and audience in each category
ADULTS 18-49
NBC 3.2/9, 4.1 million
CBS 2.7/8, 3.5 million
Fox 2.5/7, 3.1 million
ABC 2.5/7, 3.1 million
CW 0.9/3, 1.1 million
Each rating point equals 1.27 million viewers
ADULTS 25-54
NBC 3.8/10, 4.6 million
CBS 3.6/9, 4.3 million
ABC 3.0/8, 3.6 million
Fox 2.8/7, 3.3 million
CW 0.9/2, 1.1 million
Each rating point equals 1.20 million viewers
TOTAL VIEWERS
CBS 4.0/10, 11.8 million
NBC 3.4/9, 10.0 million
ABC 2.9/8, 8.7 million
Fox 2.5/6, 7.3 million
CW 0.7/2, 2.1 million
Each rating point equals 2.89 million viewers
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