NBC ratings week: May 3-9 tied for #3 in adults

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Led this week by “The Office,” “Celebrity Apprentice,” “The Biggest Loser,” “30 Rock,” “Law & Order: SVU” and “Parenthood,” NBC averaged a 1.9 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 5.6 million viewers overall for the week of May 3-9, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.
 
Primetime averages for the week of May 3-9 in adults 18-49 were Fox (2.9/9), ABC (2.5/8), CBS (2.3/7), NBC (1.9/6) and CW (0.9/3).  In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (10.1 million), ABC (8.2 million), Fox (8.1 million), NBC (5.6 million) and CW (1.9 million).
 
Season to date through 33 weeks, NBC is tied for #3 among the major networks in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 and tied for #2 in adults 18-34.
 
NBC highlights for the week of May 3-9
 
* On Sunday, “The Celebrity Apprentice” was up week-to-week by 12 percent in adults 18-49 and up 32 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC’s non-sports average in the time period this season prior to “Celebrity Apprentice.”
 
*  “Celebrity Apprentice” grew from its first half-hour to its fourth by 23 percent in adults 18-49 to rank #1 among the major networks in the final hour of primetime Sunday in adults 18-49 and other key demographics.  In fact, the 3.1 rating for “The Celebrity Apprentice” in its second hour from 10-11 p.m. represents the second-highest 10 p.m. adult 18-49 rating for any major network on any night of the week of May 3-9 (second only to a 3.3 rating for CBS’s “The Mentalist” on Thursday).
 
* Also on Sunday, “Minute To Win It” grew from half-hour to half-hour by 27 percent in adults 18-49 and 25 percent in total viewers.  The nine regular-slot telecasts of “Minute To Win It” have all grown substantially from half-hour to half-hour, increasing an average 31 percent in adults 18-49 and 22 percent in total viewers. 
 
* On Thursday, “The Marriage Ref” delivered its highest 18-49 rating since April 1, up 16 percent in the demo versus the prior week.  “Ref” gained 12 percent in total viewers week-to-week.
 
* Also on Thursday, “Community” scored its highest 18-49 rating since March 25, up 5 percent versus the prior week and up 25 percent versus two weeks earlier.  “Community” ranked #1 among the major networks in men 18-34 and #2 in adults 18-34.
 
* Additionally on Thursday, “The Office” finished within 0.1 of a rating point of the time-period lead in adults 18-49, behind only ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” and ahead of CBS’s “CSI” and Fox’s “Fringe.”  “The Office” ranked #1 among the major networks in the time period in adults 18-34 and all key adult-male demos – men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.    
 
* Among all primetime programs on the major networks this week, “The Office” ranked #14 in adults 18-49, #5 in adults 18-34 and #2 in men 18-34.
 
* On Wednesday, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” won its time period in adults 18-49 and numerous other key demos, topping the original drama competition of CBS’s “CSI: NY” and ABC’s “Happy Town.”  This marks the ninth consecutive time a “Law & Order: SVU” original has ranked #1 or tied for #1 among regular programs in this time period in adults 18-49.
 
* “SVU” was up 24 percent in 18-49 and 20 percent in total viewers versus NBC’s average in its Wednesday time period during the traditional 2008-09 season. 
 
* On Tuesday, “Parenthood” ranked #1 in adults 18-49 and other key demos in the 10 p.m. ET hour, topping the original drama competition of CBS’s “The Good Wife” and ABC’s V.”  “Parenthood” has now ranked #1 in its slot in adults 18-49 versus regular competition for six of the last seven weeks. 
 
* Also on Tuesday, “The Biggest Loser: Couples” grew week-to-week by 14 percent in adults 18-49 and 12 percent in total viewers.  “Loser” gained 37 percent in adults 18-49 and 29 percent or more than 2.1 million persons in total viewers from its first half-hour to its fourth, despite competition that included Fox’s “American Idol” and “Glee” and ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” and “Lost” and CBS’s “NCIS” and “NCIS: LA.”
 
* On Monday, “Law & Order” captured NBC’s biggest overall viewership in its time period since March 15.
 
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 May 3-9: 
 
On Monday, May 3 from 8-9 p.m., ET, “Chuck” averaged a 1.9 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 5.3 million viewers overall in a time period that included competition from ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” Fox’s “House,” and CBS’s “How I Met Your Mother” and “Rules of Engagement.”  It’s worth noting that so far this season, “Chuck” has added an average 22 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.
 
At 9 p.m., a rebroadcast of “Law & Order” (1.3/3 in 18-49, 5.1 million viewers overall) increased from its first half-hour to its second by 17 percent in adults 18-49 (1.4 vs. 1.2).  
 
Monday at10 p.m., ET “Law & Order” (1.7/5 in 18-49, 6.2 million viewers overall) captured NBC’s biggest overall viewership in the time period since March 15.  
 
On Tuesday, May 4 from 8-10 p.m. ET, “The Biggest Loser: Couples” (3.2/9 in adults 18-49, 8.4 million viewers overall) grew week-to-week by 14 percent in adults 18-49 (3.2 vs. 2.8) and 12 percent in total viewers (to 8.4 million from 7.5 million).
 
From its first half-hour to its fourth, “Biggest Loser” gained 37 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 3.7/10 from a 2.7/8) and 29 percent or more than 2.1 million persons in total viewers (to 9.6 million from 7.4 million).  For its two-hour time period, “The Biggest Loser” ranked #2 among the major networks in adults 18-49 (tied with ABC), behind only the Fox lineup of “American Idol” and “Glee.”  “Loser” also tied for #2 in adults 18-34 and ranked #2 outright in women 18-34 and women 18-49.
 
Tuesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, “Parenthood” (2.5/7 in 18-49, 5.9 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among the major networks in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key demos, topping the original drama competition of CBS’s “The Good Wife” and ABC’s V.”  Week-to-week, “Parenthood” was up 4 percent in adults 18-49 (2.5 vs. 2.4). 
 
“Parenthood” has ranked #1 in its slot in adults 18-49 versus regular competition for six of the last seven weeks.  It’s also worth noting that “Parenthood” has added an average 31 percent to its 18-49 rating and more than 1.7 million total viewers when going from its “live plus same day” to its “live plus seven day” results.
 
On Wednesday, May 5 from 8-9 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of “Minute To Win It” (1.6/6 in adults 18-49, 5.5 million viewers overall) finished within 0.2 of a ratings point of the time-period lead in adults 18-49 and ranked #2 among the major networks in adults 18-34 and other key demos.  From its first half-hour to its second, “Minute” grew by 20 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.8 from a 1.5) and by 9 percent in total viewers (5.7 million vs. 5.2 million).
 
Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, “Mercy” averaged a 1.0/3 in 18-49 and 3.9 million viewers overall. 
 
Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (2.6/8 in 18-49, 8.4 million viewers overall) won its time period in adults, men and women 18-49; adults, men and women 18-34; and men 25-54 versus the original drama competition of CBS’s “CSI: NY” and ABC’s “Happy Town.”  This marks the ninth consecutive time a “Law & Order: SVU” original has ranked #1 or tied for #1 among regular programs in this time period in adults 18-49.
 
From its first half-hour to its second, “SVU” increased by 17 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 2.8/9 from a 2.4/7) and 15 percent or more than 1.1 million persons in total viewers (to 9.0 million from 7.8 million) while the drama competition on ABC and CBS declined half-hour to half-hour in both categories.
 
“SVU” was up 24 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC’s average in this time period for the traditional 2008-09 season (2.6 vs. 2.1).  In total viewers, “SVU” was up 20 percent or 1.4 million persons versus NBC’s average in the slot for the 2008-09 regular season (8.4 million vs. 7.0 million).  It’s worth noting that  “Law & Order: SVU” has added an average 23 percent to its 18-49 rating and more than 1.4 million total viewers when going from its “live plus same day” to its “live plus seven day” results.
 
On Thursday, May 6 from 8-8:30 p.m. ET, “Community” (2.0/7 in adults 18-49, 4.4 million viewers overall) delivered its highest 18-49 rating since March 25, up 5 percent versus the prior week (2.0 vs. 1.9) and up 25 percent versus two weeks earlier (2.0 vs. 1.6).  “Community” ranked #1 among the major networks in men 18-34 and #2 in adults 18-34.  It’s worth noting that so far this season, “Community” has added 24 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from its “live plus same day” to its “live plus seven day” results. 
 
Thursday from 8:30-9 p.m. ET, “Parks and Recreation” (1.9/6 in 18-49, 4.0 million viewers overall) retained 95 percent of its 18-49 lead-in and has now retained 95 percent or more of its lead-in with 21 of 22 original telecasts this season.  “Parks and Recreation” has added 19 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from its “live plus same day” to its “live plus seven day” results. 
 
Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, “The Office” (3.5/10 in adults 18-49, 6.8 million viewers overall) finished within 0.1 of a rating point of the time-period lead in adults 18-49, behind only ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” and ahead of CBS’s “CSI” and Fox’s “Fringe.”  “The Office” ranked #1 in the time period in adults 18-34 and all key adult-male demos – men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.  “The Office” is a heavily time-shifted show, adding an average 29 percent to its 18-49 rating so far this season when going from its “live plus same day” to its “live plus seven day” results.  In total viewers, “The Office” adds more than 1.9 million viewers to its previously reported “live plus same day” results when “live plus seven day” ratings are released
 
Thursday from 9:31-10 p.m. ET, “30 Rock” (2.6/7 in 18-49, 5.4 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among the major networks in men 18-34 and men 18-49 (tie) and #2 in adults and women 18-34 versus the concluding half-hours of “Grey’s Anatomy,” and  “CSI.”  “30 Rock” is a heavily time-shifted program, so far this season adding an average 26 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from its “live plus same day” to its “live plus seven day” results.  In total viewers, “30 Rock” adds more than 1.3 million viewers to its previously reported “live plus same day” results when “live plus seven day” ratings are released.
 
Thursday at 10 p.m. ET, “The Marriage Ref” (2.2/6 in 18-49, 4.9 million viewers overall) increased week-to-week by 16 percent in adults 18-49 (2.2 vs. 1.9) and 12 percent in total viewers (4.9 million vs. 4.4 million), to deliver its highest 18-49 rating since April 1.  “Marriage Ref:” ranked #1 among the major networks in men 18-34 and #2 in adults 18-34 (tie), men 18-49 and men 25-54.  It’s worth noting that “Marriage Ref” has added an average 18 percent to its 18-49 rating this season when going from its “live plus same day” to its “live plus seven day” results
 
On Friday, May 7 from 8-9 p.m. ET, NBC’s fourth-season premiere of “Friday Night Lights” scored a 1.2/5 in adults 18-49 and 3.9 million viewers overall.  “Friday Night Lights” out-rated competing programming in the hour on ABC, CBS and Fox among men 18-49 and men 18-34 and tied for #1 among the major networks in adults 18-34.  “Lights” matched NBC’s 18-49 average in the time period over the last four weeks and also matched NBC’s average in the time slot during the traditional 2008-09 season.
 
Friday from 9-11 p.m. ET, “Dateline NBC” averaged a 1.3/4 in 18-49 and 5.4 million viewers overall.  From its first half-hour to its fourth, “Dateline” increased by 50 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.5 from a 1.0) and 42 percent or more than 1.8 million persons in total viewers (to 6.3 million vs. 4.4 million).  In the 10:30-11 p.m. lead-in to local news, “Dateline” was #1 among the major networks in the key news demo of adults 25-54.
 
On Saturday, May 8 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 & Order” delivered a 0.7/3 in 18-49 and 3.8 million viewers overall.  From its first half-hour to its second, “Law & Order” increased by 14 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 0.8 from a 0.7) and by 26 percent in total viewers (to 4.3 million from 3.4 million).  
 
Saturday from 10-11 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (1.3/4 in 18-49, 5.7 million viewers overall) matched the show’s highest 18-49 rating in this time period since March 6 and locked up its biggest overall audience in the slot since November 21.
 
On Sunday, May 9, from 7-8 p.m. ET, “Dateline NBC” averaged a 0.9/4 in adults 18-49 and 3.5 million viewers overall.  (Note: From 7-7:06 p.m., NBC carried overrun golf coverage of The Players Championship, which is not included in the nightly or weekly averages.)
 
Sunday from 8-9 p.m. ET, “Minute To Win It” (1.7/5 in 18-49, 5.2 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 89 percent in adults 18-49.  “Minute” grew from half-hour to half-hour by 27 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.9 from a 1.5) and by 25 percent in total viewers (to 5.8 million from 4.6 million).  The nine regular-slot telecasts of “Minute To Win It” have all grown substantially from half-hour to half-hour, increasing an average 31 percent in adults 18-49 and 22 percent in total viewers. 
 
Sunday from 9-11 p.m. ET, “The Celebrity Apprentice” (2.9/8 in 18-49, 7.4 million viewers overall) increased week-to-week by 12 percent in adults 18-49 (2.9 vs. 2.6) and 7 percent in total viewers (7.4 million vs. 6.9 million).  From its first half-hour to its fourth, “Celebrity Apprentice” increased by 23 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.2/9 from a 2.6/7) and by 14 percent or nearly 1.0 million persons in total viewers (to 7.9 million from 6.9 million).
 
In the final hour of primetime Sunday from 10-11 p.m. ET, “Celebrity Apprentice” ranked #1 among the major networks in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54, women 18-49 (tie) and all key adult-male demographics.  The 3.1 rating for “The Celebrity Apprentice” in its second hour from 10-11 p.m. hour represents the second-highest 10 p.m. adult 18-49 rating for any major network on any night of the week of May 3-9, second only to the 3.3 rating for CBS’s “The Mentalist” on Thursday.
 
“Celebrity Apprentice” was up 32 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC’s non-sports average in the time period this season prior to “Celebrity Apprentice” (2.9 vs. 2.2, “live plus same day”).  It’s worth noting that “Celebrity Apprentice” has added an average 14 percent to its 18-49 rating this season when going from its “live plus same day” to its “live plus seven day” results
 
 
WEEKLY AVERAGES
Average rating, share and audience in each category
 
ADULTS 18-49
Fox 2.9/9, 3.8 million
ABC 2.5/8, 3.2 million
CBS 2.3/7, 3.0 million
NBC 1.9/6, 2.5 million
CW 0.9/3, 1.2 million
 
Each rating point equals 1.32 million viewers
 
ADULTS 25-54
Fox 3.3/9, 4.1 million
CBS 3.2/9, 4.0 million
ABC 3.0/9, 3.8 million
NBC 2.2/6, 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 2.8/8, 8.2 million
Fox 2.8/8,8.17 million
NBC 1.9/5, 5.6 million
CW 0.7/2, 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, 4.8 million
CBS 3.2/9, 4.2 million
NBC 2.7/7, 3.6 million
ABC 2.7/7, 3.5 million
CW 0.9/3, 1.2 million
 
Each rating point equals 1.32 million viewers
 
ADULTS 25-54
CBS 4.1/10, 5.1 million
Fox 4.1/10, 5.1 million
NBC 3.2/8, 4.0 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 4.0/10, 11.8 million
Fox 3.4/9, 10.0 million
ABC 2.9/7, 8.6 million
NBC 2.9/7, 8.4 million
CW 0.7/2, 2.0 million
Each rating point equals 2.92 million viewers

ON TUESDAY, ‘PARENTHOOD’ WINS THE 10 P.M. HOUR IN ADULTS 18-49 AND OTHER KEY DEMOS, TOPPING ORIGINAL DRAMAS ON ABC AND CBS
 
ALSO ON TUESDAY, ‘THE BIGGEST LOSER’ GAINS 14 PERCENT IN 18-49 AND 12 PERCENT IN TOTAL VIEWERS WEEK-TO-WEEK
 
‘LAW & ORDER: SVU’ WINS ITS WEDNESDAY SLOT IN ADULTS 18-49 AND OTHER KEY DEMOS VERSUS FIRST-RUN DRAMA COMPETITION
 
ON THURSDAY, ‘MARRIAGE REF’ SCORES ITS HIGHEST 18-49 RATING SINCE APRIL 1, UP 16 PERCENT WEEK-TO-WEEK
 
‘CELEBRITY APPRENTICE’ INCREASES 23 PERCENT IN 18-49 FROM ITS FIRST TO ITS FOURTH HALF-HOUR TO WIN THE FINAL HOUR OF PRIMETIME SUNDAY IN ADULTS 18-49 AND OTHER KEY DEMOGRAPHICS
 
‘CELEBRITY APPRENTICE’ GROWS WEEK-TO-WEEK BY 12 PERCENT IN ADULTS 18-49

(source: NBC)