The regular television season is over, but Barclays Capital analyst Anthony DiClemente is giving ratings-challenged NBC some credit for improving its performance with its summer lineup. For the most recent week (#37) tallied by Nielsen NBC was #2 in 18-49 and #3 in Households.
“NBC starts off summer on the right foot,” the analyst headlined in a note to clients. “After a disappointing last place finish among the majors in the prior week, NBC got off to a solid start in the summer with a 2nd place finish in 18-49. New reality hit The Voice improved substantially w/w with a 4.9 rating and 13 share, the best rating of any non-sports program on TV for the week-ended June 5th. Also, the season premier of America’s Got Talent improved by 19% Y/Y, logging a 4.9 rating and 12 share, despite facing off against Game 1 of the NBA finals in 9pm hour. The peacock also got a lift from the Stanley Cup finals, as Game 1 of the series earned a 1.8 rating and 6 share, good enough for 17th place,” DiClemente wrote.
But while the Peacock Network is improving, the analyst reserved his most hearty praise for the week’s winner, ABC: “NBA finals action leads ABC to a ratings victory – ABC ratings surged 17% Y/Y in 18-49, as the network claimed a decisive victory in the primetime ratings race. With American Idol’s most recent season already in the books, the pathway was cleared for ABC’s dominant performance, which included three games of the NBA finals between the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks. Game 2 on Thursday night was the most watched program on TV for the week with a 6.5 rating and 19 share, slightly ahead of Game 1 on Tuesday night, which earned a 6.5 rating and 18 share. Compared to the first three games of last year’s final between the larger-market L.A. Lakers and Boston Celtics, this year’s series is actually tracking higher, given national interest in the Heat’s star players. With the series now tied at 2-2, we expect ABC will benefit from an NBA Finals that will now last a minimum of 6 games.”
