NBC March 29-April 4 ‘Celebrity Apprentice’, ‘Parenthood’ grab viewers

0

NBC’s primetime performance this week was led by “Law and Order: SVU,” which delivered a key time-period win in adults 18-49 on Wednesday night and was NBC’s top show of the week in primetime’s key demo. “SVU” ranked #16 among all primetime programs in adults 18-49 this week. “The Celebrity Apprentice,” which won the final hour of primetime Sunday in all key demographics, and “The Biggest Loser,” which built dramatically throughout its two-hour telecast on Tuesday, despite head-to-head competition from a two-hour “American Idol” and a first-run episode of “Lost,” were tied at #17 among all primetime programs in adults 18-49.


Primetime averages for the week of March 29-April 4 in adults 18-49 were Fox (2.9/9), CBS (2.6/8), ABC (2.5/8), NBC (1.9/6) and CW (0.9/3). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (10.1 million), ABC and Fox (8.5 million), NBC (5.8 million) and CW (1.9 million).

Season to date through 28 weeks, NBC ranks #3 among the major networks in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and total viewers, and is tied for #2 in adults 18-34.

Paced by strong ratings from “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Celebrity Apprentice,” and “The Biggest Loser,” NBC averaged a 1.9 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 5.8 million viewers overall for the week of March 29-April 4, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

NBC highlights for the week of March 29-April 4:

On Sunday, “The Celebrity Apprentice” grew by 24 percent in 18-49 rating and by 22 percent or 1.4 million persons in total viewers from its first half-hour to its fourth, to rank #1 among the major network in the final hour of primetime in all key demographics – adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54. For its full two-hour time period, “Celebrity Apprentice” ranked #2 among the major networks in adults 18-49, total viewers and most other key categories and was #1 in adults, men and women 18-34.

“Celebrity Apprentice” was up 27 percent in 18-49 rating and 15 percent in total viewers versus NBC’s non-sports average in its time period this season prior to “Celebrity Apprentice.”

Also on Sunday, “Minute To Win It” grew from half-hour to half-hour by 40 percent in adults 18-49 and by 27 percent or 1.3 million persons in total viewers. The four regular-slot telecasts of “Minute To Win It” have all grown substantially from half-hour to half-hour, increasing an average 29 percent in adults 18-49 and 25 percent in total viewers.

On Friday, “Who Do You Think You Are?” won its time period in adults 18-49, marking the first time any regular competitor in this slot has beaten a first-run episode of CBS’s “Ghost Whisperer” in 18-49 since November 17, 2006. “Who Do You Think You Are?” improved on NBC’s average in the time slot during the traditional 2008-09 season by 17 percent in adults 18-49 and 32 percent in total viewers.

Also on Friday, “Dateline NBC” increased by 38 percent in adults 18-49 from its first half-hour to its fourth. “Dateline” ranked #1 among the major networks in the 10-11 p.m. ET hour in adults 18-49 and other key measures, topping the premiere of CBS’s “Miami Medical” and ABC’s “20/20.”

On Thursday, “The Marriage Ref” built on its lead-in from an encore episode of “The Office” by 28 percent in adults 18-49 rating and by 34 percent in total viewers, to rank #1 in men 18-34 and #2 in adults and women 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54 in a time period that included first-run competition from ABC’s “Private Practice” and CBS’s “CSI.”

On Wednesday, “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” dominated its time period in all key demographics and total viewers. This marks the fifth consecutive week that “SVU” has ranked #1 or tied for #1 in adults 18-49 in the Wednesday 10 p.m. hour.

“Law and Order: SVU” on Wednesday was up 38 percent in 18-49 rating and 43 percent or more than 3.0 million persons in total viewers versus NBC’s average in the slot during the traditional 2008-09 season.

Also on Wednesday, a rebroadcast of “Minute To Win” ranked #2 in the 8 p.m. ET hour in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures.

 On Tuesday, “The Biggest Loser” gained 32 percent in 18-49 rating and 25 percent in total viewers from its first half-hour to its fourth, despite competition that included Fox’s two-hour “American Idol,” ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” results show and “Lost” and CBS’s encore dramas.

Also on Tuesday, “Parenthood” ranked #2 in its slot in most key ratings categories, including adults 18-49, and #1 in all key adult-female demographics – women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

 On Monday, “Chuck” hit a three-week high in adults 18-49, up 11 percent versus the prior week.

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 March 29-April 4:

On Monday, March 29 from 8-9 p.m. ET, “Chuck” (2.1 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49, 5.7 million viewers overall) hit a three-week high in adults 18-49, up 11 percent versus last week (2.1 vs. 1.9). “Chuck” was up 4 percent week-to-week in total viewers (5.7 million vs. 5.4 million). From its first half-hour to its second, “Chuck” grew by 10 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 2.2 from a 2.0) and 14 percent in men 18-49 (2.5 vs. 2.2). It is worth noting that so far this season, “Chuck” has added an average 21 percent to its 18-49 rating and more than 1.1 million total viewers when going from its “live plus same day” to its “live plus seven day” results.

Monday at 9 p.m. ET, “Trauma” averaged a 1.5/4 in 18-49 and 4.7 million viewers overall in a time period that included competition from ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” premiere, Fox’s “24” and CBS’s comedy encores. Week-to-week, “Trauma” increased 7 percent in adults 18-49 (1.5 vs. 1.4) and 9 percent in total viewers (4.7 million vs. 4.3 million).

Monday from 10-11 p.m. ET, “Law and Order” (1.8/5 in adults 18-49, 6.0 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 20 percent in adults 18-49 and 27 percent in total viewers, to match its highest 18-49 rating in four weeks. “Law and Order” also increased from its first half-hour to its second in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and total viewers while rival dramas in the time period – ABC’s “Castle” and CBS’s “CSI: Miami” encore – declined half-hour to half-hour in all three measures. “Law and Order” has added an average 24 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from its “live plus same day” to its “live plus seven day” results

On Tuesday, March 30 from 8-10 p.m. ET, “The Biggest Loser: Couples” averaged a 2.8/8 in adults 18-49 and 7.4 million viewers overall in a time period that included competition from Fox’s two-hour “American Idol,” ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” results show and “Lost” and CBS’s encore dramas.

From its first half-hour to its fourth, “Loser” gained 32 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 3.3 from a 2.5) and 25 percent or more than 1.6 million persons in total viewers (to 8.5 million from 6.8 million).

Tuesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, “Parenthood” (2.5/7 in 18-49, 6.2 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in most key ratings categories, including adults 18-49, and #1 in all key adult-female demographics – women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54. It’s worth noting that “Parenthood” has added an average 33 percent to its 18-49 rating and more than 1.8 million total viewers when going from its “live plus same day” to its “live plus seven day” results.

On Wednesday, March 31 from 8-9 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of “Minute To Win It” (1.8/6 in adults 18-49, 6.1 million viewers overall) ranked #2 among the major networks in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. From its first half-hour to its second, “Minute” increased by 12 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.9 from a 1.7) and 14 percent in total viewers (to 6.5 million from 5.7 million). This was NBC’s highest 18-49 rating in this Wednesday time period since the Winter Olympics.

Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” averaged a 1.4/4 in 18-49 and 5.5 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its second, the “SVU” rebroadcast grew by 15 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.5 from a 1.3) and by 12 percent in total viewers (5.8 million vs. 5.2 million).

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” (2.9/9 in 18-49, 10.1 million viewers overall) dominated its time period versus CBS’s “CSI: NY” encore and ABC’s first-run “Ugly Betty,” with a 71 percent margin in adults 18-49 (2.9 vs. a 1.7 for CBS’s second-place “CSI: NY” rebroadcast). “SVU” won the hour decisively in all key ratings categories, and matched the combined ABC-CBS result in adults 18-34.

From its first half-hour to its second, “SVU” increased in all key ratings categories, with growth of 15 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 3.1 from a 2.7), 18 percent in adults 25-54 (3.9 vs. 3.3) and 14 percent in total viewers (to 10.8 million from 9.4 million). “Law and Order: SVU” has added an average 23 percent to its 18-49 rating and more than 1.3 million total viewers when going from its “live plus same day” to its “live plus seven day” results

“SVU” was up 38 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC’s average in this time period for the traditional 2008-09 season (2.9 vs. 2.1). In total viewers, “SVU” was up 43 percent or more than 3.0 million persons versus NBC’s average in the slot for the 2008-09 regular season (10.1 million vs. 7.0 million).

This marks the fifth consecutive week that “SVU” has ranked #1 or tied for #1 in the Wednesday 10 p.m. ET hour.

On Thursday, April 1, from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore episode of “The Office” averaged a 1.5/5 in 18-49 and 4.0 million viewers overall. From 9-10 p.m., a second rebroadcast of “The Office” averaged a 1.8/6 in adults 18-49 and 4.0 million viewers overall. Against all first-run competition on the other major networks – ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” CBS’s “The Mentalist” and Fox’s “Fringe” – the 9 p.m. “Office” encore ranked #2 in adults 18-34 behind only “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Thursday at 10 p.m. ET, “The Marriage Ref” (2.3/7 in 18-49, 5.4 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 28 percent in 18-49 rating and by 34 percent in total viewers. “Marriage Ref” ranked #1 in men 18-34 and #2 in adults and women 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54 in a time period that included first-run competition from ABC’s “Private Practice” and CBS’s “CSI”). “Marriage Ref” has added an average 18 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from its “live plus same day” to its “live plus seven day” results

On Friday, April 2 from 8-9 p.m. ET, “Who Do You Think You Are?” (1.4/5 in adults 18-49, 5.9 million viewers overall) won the time period in adults 18-49, marking the first time any regular competitor in this slot has beaten a first-run episode of “Ghost Whisperer” in 18-49 since November 17, 2006. “Who Do You Think You Are?” improved on NBC’s average in the time slot during the traditional 2008-09 season by 17 percent in adults 18-49 (1.4 vs. 1.2) and 31 percent in total viewers (5.9 million vs. 4.5 million).

Friday from 9-11 p.m. ET, “Dateline NBC” reported a 1.6/5 in 18-49 and 6.7 million viewers overall. “Dateline” improved on NBC’s average in this time period during the traditional 2008-09 season by 35 percent in total viewers (6.7 million vs. 5.0 million).

From its first half-hour to its fourth, “Dateline’ increased by 38 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.8 from a 1.3). For its second hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, “Dateline” ranked #1 among the major networks in adults 18-34, adults 18-49 and other key measures, topping the premiere on CBS’s “Miami Medical” and ABC’s “20/20.” “Dateline” topped ABC’s “20/20” head-to-head in every key ratings category – adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49, 25-54, as well as total viewers.

On Saturday, April 3, from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of “Parenthood” averaged a 0.6/2 in 18-49 and 2.1 million viewers overall. At 9 p.m., a rebroadcast of “Law and Order” (0.9/3 in 18-49, 4.1 million viewers overall) delivered its highest 18-49 rating in this time period in three weeks. From its first half-hour to its second, “Law and Order” increased by 25 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.0 from a 0.8) and by 24 percent in total viewers (to 4.5 million from 3.6 million).

Saturday from 10-11 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” (1.2/4 in 18-49, 4.9 million viewers overall) grew from its first half-hour to its second by 27 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.4 from a 1.1) and by 15 percent in total viewers (to 5.2 million from 4.6 million).

On Sunday, April 4, from 7-8 p.m. ET, “Dateline NBC” averaged a 0.9/3 in adults 18-49 and 4.0 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its second, “Dateline” increased by 25 percent in 18-49 rating (to 1.0 from 0.8) and 15 percent in total viewers (4.3 million vs. 3.7 million).

Sunday from 8-9 p.m. ET, “Minute To Win It” (1.8/6 in 18-49, 5.5 million viewers overall) grew from half-hour to half-hour by 40 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 2.1/6 from a 1.5/5) and by 27 percent or 1.3 million persons in total viewers (to 6.2 million from 4.9 million). The four regular-slot telecasts of “Minute To Win It” have all grown substantially from half-hour to half-hour, increasing an average 29 percent in adults 18-49 and 25 percent in total viewers. “Minute” ranked #2 among the major networks in men 18-34 (tie), men 18-49 (tie) and men 25-54.

Sunday from 9-11 p.m. ET, “The Celebrity Apprentice” (2.8/7 in 18-49, 7.2 million viewers overall) ranked #2 among the major networks in adults 18-49, total viewers and most other key categories and was #1 in adults, men and women 18-34.

From its first half-hour to its fourth, “Celebrity Apprentice” increased by 24 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.1/9 from a 2.5/7) and by 22 percent or 1.4 million persons in total viewers (to 8.0 million from 6.6 million).

For its final hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, “Celebrity Apprentice” ranked #1 among the major networks in all key demographics – adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 – and topped the CBS-ABC competition combined in adults 18-34 and men 18-34.

“Celebrity Apprentice” was up 27 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC’s non-sports average in the time period this season prior to “Celebrity Apprentice” (2.8 vs. 2.2, “live plus same day”), and was up 15 percent in total viewers (7.2 million vs. 6.3 million).

NBC’s Sunday primetime audience built steadily throughout the night, nearly quadrupling in 18-49 rating (to a 3.1/9 from a 0.8/3) and more than doubling in total viewers (to 8.0 million from 3.7 million) from the first to the final half-hour of primetime.

WEEKLY AVERAGES
Average rating, share and audience in each category

ADULTS 18-49

Fox 2.9/9, 3.8 million
CBS 2.6/8, 3.4 million
ABC 2.5/8, 3.3 million
NBC 1.9/6, 2.4 million
CW 0.9/3, 1.1 million
 
Each rating point equals 1.32 million viewers
 
ADULTS 25-54

CBS 3.4/10, 4.2 million
Fox 3.4/9, 4.2 million
ABC 3.0/8, 3.8 million
NBC 2.3/6, 2.8 million
CW 0.8/2, 1.0 million

Each rating point equals 1.24 million viewers

TOTAL VIEWERS

CBS 3.5/10, 10.1 million
ABC 2.9/8, 8.5 million
Fox 2.9/8, 8.5 million
NBC 2.0/6, 5.8 million
CW 0.6/2, 1.9 million

Each rating point equals 2.92 million viewers

2009-10 SEASON AVERAGES
Average rating, share and audience in each category

ADULTS 18-49

Fox 3.7/10, 4.9 million
CBS 3.3/9, 4.3 million
NBC 2.8/8, 3.7 million
ABC 2.7/7, 3.5 million
CW 0.9/2, 1.2 million
 
Each rating point equals 1.32 million viewers
 
ADULTS 25-54

CBS 4.2/10, 5.2 million
Fox 4.1/10, 5.1 million
NBC 3.4/8, 4.2 million
ABC 3.2/8, 4.0 million
CW 0.9/2, 1.1 million

Each rating point equals 1.24 million viewers

TOTAL VIEWERS

CBS 4.1/11, 12.1 million
Fox 3.4/9, 10.1 million
NBC 3.0/8, 8.8 million
ABC 2.9/7, 8.6 million
CW 0.7/2, 2.0 million

Each rating point equals 2.92 million viewers

(source: information from NBC)