‘THE OFFICE’ WINS ITS HOUR IN ADULTS 18-49, TOPPING A FIRST-RUN ‘GREY’S ANATOMY’ FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER
‘THE MARRIAGE REF’ RANKS #1 IN ADULTS 18-49, BEATING FIRST-RUN EPISODES OF ‘THE MENTALIST’ AND ‘PRIVATE PRACTICE’
‘COMMUNITY’ AND ‘PARKS AND RECREATION’ HANG TOUGH AGAINST SPECIAL ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ COMPETITION
Last night, a special one-hour episode of “The Office” won its time period over “Grey’s Anatomy,” “CSI” and “Kitchen Nightmares” in adults 18-49, while the time-period debut of “The Marriage Ref” topped “Private Practice” and “The Mentalist” in primetime’s key demo, according to “fast affiliate-based” “live plus same day” viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.
From 9-10 p.m. ET last night, a one-hour episode of “The Office” (4.7 rating, 12 share in adults 18-49, 9.0 million viewers overall), featuring the birth of Jim and Pam’s baby, won its tough time slot in adults 18-49 over ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” CBS’s “CSI” and Fox’s “Kitchen Nightmares.” This marks the first time that “The Office” has topped a first-run episode of ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” head-to-head in primetime’s key demographic of adults 18-49. “The Office” also won its highly competitive hour in adults 18-34 and all key adult-male demos – men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54. “The Office” was the #2 show on television Thursday night in adults 18-49, second only to Fox’s special Thursday “American Idol.”
This marks the top-rated telecast of “The Office” in both adults 18-49 and total viewers since the October 8, 2009 wedding episode.
At 10 p.m. ET, the regular time period premiere of “The Marriage Ref” (3.4/10 in 18-49, 7.7 million viewers overall) ranked #1 for the hour in adults 18-49, topping first-run episodes of “The Mentalist” on CBS and “Private Practice” on ABC. “Marriage Ref” also won the hour in adults 18-34 and men 18-34 and 18-49. “Marriage Ref” delivered NBC’s highest 18-49 rating in this time period with non-sports programming since the April 2, 2009 finale of “ER.”
NBC’s primetime night began with solid performances from its 8-9 p.m. ET comedies, competing with a special Thursday “American Idol.” From 8-8:30 p.m., “Community” (2.3/7 in 18-49, 5.1 million viewers overall) matched its top 18-49 rating since January 14 despite head-to-head competition from “American Idol.” “Community” ranked #2 in the time period in adults and men 18-34, behind only “Idol.”
From 8:30-9 p.m. ET, “Parks and Recreation” (2.3/7 in 18-49, 4.6 million viewers overall) matched its season high in adults 18-49, despite the “Idol” competition. “Parks” retained 100 percent of its 18-49 lead-in and has now retained 95 percent or more of its lead-in with 16 of 17 original telecasts this season. “Parks” ranked #2 in its slot in adults and men 18-34, behind only “American Idol,” pending updates.
Preliminary 18-49 averages for Thursday night are: Fox, 4.9/13; CBS, 3.6/10; NBC, 3.5/10; ABC, 2.6/7 and CW, 0.7/2. NBC’s 3.5 rating is its highest Thursday average of the season, excluding Olympics nights. In overall total viewers, March 4 preliminary results are: CBS, 14.3 million; Fox, 13.7 million; ABC, 8.2 million; NBC, 7.2 million; CW, 1.6 million.
Note that all national ratings are “live plus same day” unless otherwise indicated.
(source: information from NBC)
