‘NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL’ IS THE #1 PROGRAM OF THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-49, 18-34, 25-54 AND ALL KEY ADULT-MALE DEMOS, TOPPING EVEN GAME 6 OF THE WORLD SERIES
NBC SPORTS’ COWBOYS-EAGLES GAME PROPELS THE NETWORK TO A DOMINANT SUNDAY WIN IN EVERY KEY MEASURE – ADULTS, MEN AND WOMEN 18-49, 18-34 AND 25-54, PLUS TOTAL VIEWERS
‘THE OFFICE’ WINS ITS TOUGH THURSDAY SLOT IN ALL KEY ADULT-MALE DEMOS AND IS THE #2 SHOW OF THE NIGHT IN ADULTS 18-49, BEHIND ONLY ‘GREY’S ANATOMY’
‘COMMUNITY’ HITS NEW HIGHS IN ADULTS 18-49 AND TOTAL VIEWERS IN ITS THURSDAY LEAD-OFF SLOT
‘PARKS AND RECREATION’ SCORES A SEASON HIGH IN ADULTS 18-49, GROWING 10 PERCENT WEEK-TO-WEEK IN THE DEMO
ON FRIDAY, ‘LAW & ORDER’ LOCKS UP A NEW REGULAR-SLOT SEASON HIGH IN BOTH 18-49 AND TOTAL VIEWERS
ON TUESDAY, ‘BIGGEST LOSER’ WINS THE 9 P.M. HOUR IN ADULTS 18-49 AND OTHER KEY DEMOS
TUESDAY’S ‘JAY LENO’ DELIVERS THE SHOW’S HIGHEST 18-49 RATING ON ANY NIGHT OF THE WEEK IN FOUR WEEKS
ON MONDAY, ‘HEROES’ AND ‘TRAUMA’ MATCH THEIR HIGHEST 18-49 RATINGS AND ATTRACT THEIR BIGGEST VIEWERSHIPS SINCE THEIR RESPECTIVE SEASON PREMIERES, DESPITE WORLD SERIES COMPETITION
Paced by “NBC Sunday Night Football,” which was the #1 program of the week in adults 18-49 and numerous other key measures, NBC averaged a 2.8 rating, 8 share in 18-49 and 8.2 million viewers overall for the week of November 2-8, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.
Despite competition for the top spot this week from Wednesday’s sixth and deciding game of the 2009 World Series, NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” telecast of the Dallas Cowboys at the Philadelphia Eagles was the #1 program of the week in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and all key adult-male demographics – men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54. With an average 21.9 million viewers, “Sunday Night Football” ranked #2 for the week in total viewers, behind only the Phillies-Yankees Game 6 (22.3 million).
This marks the eighth telecast in a row of “NBC Sunday Night Football” to top the weekly adult 18-49 rankings (excluding NFL pre- and post-game shows, and including a tie with the Thursday NFL season opener).
Also in the top 10 this week in primetime’s key demographic of adults 18-49 was “The Office,” tied for #10 (rankings exclude NBC’s NFL pre-game telecasts).
Primetime averages for the week of November 2-8 in adults 18-49 were Fox (3.6/10), CBS (2.9/8), NBC (2.8/8), ABC (2.7/7) and CW (1.1/3). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (11.1 million), Fox (10.7 million), ABC (9.3 million), NBC (8.2 million) and CW (2.3 million).
NBC highlights for the week of November 2-8:
* On Sunday, NBC Sports’ “Sunday Night Football” telecast of the Dallas Cowboys at the Philadelphia Eagles led NBC to a dominant Sunday night win in all key measures – adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49, 25-54 and total viewers. NBC’s margin of victory over its closest network competitor Sunday night was 118 percent in adults 18-49 and 50 percent in total viewers.
* This was NBC’s top-scoring Sunday night in both 18-49 and total viewers since September 20, the night of the Giants-Cowboys game, which set new “NBC Sunday Night Football” records.
* Sunday’s Cowboys-Eagles game was up 27 percent in 18-49 rating and 25 percent in total viewers versus the “Sunday Night Football” game that aired on the same night last year (Giants-Eagles on November 9, 2008).
* On Friday, “Law & Order” locked up new season highs in both adults 18-49 and total viewers in its regular Friday time period. Also on Friday, a special second “Law & Order” in the 9 p.m. hour ranked #1 among the major networks in total viewers and other key demographic measures.
* On Thursday, “Community” scored its highest 18-49 rating and biggest total viewership to date in its five telecasts in the 8-8:30 p.m. time period. “Community” was up week-to-week for the second week in a row in adults 18-49 and for the fourth week in a row in total viewers. The freshman comedy ranked #1 among the major networks in the slot in adults and men 18-34.
* Also on Thursday, “Parks and Recreation” scored a season-high rating in adults 18-49, up 10 percent versus the prior week.
* Additionally on Thursday, “The Office” ranked #1 in its tough slot in all key adult-male demos and was the #2 entertainment show on television Thursday night in adults 18-49, behind only “Grey’s Anatomy.”
* The Thursday edition of “The Jay Leno Show” was up week-to-week by 7 percent in adults 18-49, 6 percent in adults 25-54 and 10 percent in total viewers.
* On Wednesday, despite competition from the deciding Game 6 of the Phillies-Yankees World Series, “Mercy” and “Law & Order: SVU” continued to post solid gains versus NBC’s averages in their respective slots during the regular 2008-09 season.
* On Tuesday, “The Biggest Loser” was a winner in its second hour from 9-10 p.m., ranking #1 in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and all key adult-female demographics. “Loser” gained 29 percent in adults 18-49 and 19 percent in total viewers from its first half-hour to its fourth.
* “The Biggest Loser” on Tuesday was up 13 percent in adults 18-49 and 20 percent in total viewers versus its November 2008 averages.
* Also on Tuesday, “The Jay Leno Show” hit its highest adult 18-49 rating on any night of the week in four weeks (since Tuesday, Oct. 6). “Leno” ranked #1 among the major networks in men 18-34 and #2 in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key demos.
* On Monday, both “Heroes” and “Trauma” matched their highest 18-49 ratings and attracted their biggest overall audiences since their respective season premieres, despite competition from Fox’s coverage of the Yankees-Phillies World Series Game 5.
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 November 2-8:
On Monday, November 2, from 8-9 p.m. ET, “Heroes” averaged a 2.5 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 5.9 million viewers overall, in a highly competitive time period that included Fox’s coverage the Yankees-Phillies World Series Game 5, ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” and CBS’s comedies. Despite this competition, “Heroes” matched its top 18-49 rating since its September 21 season premiere and attracted its biggest overall viewership since that same date. “Heroes” was the #1 non-sports choice among the major networks in men 18-34.
“Heroes” is one of the most time-shifted programs on network television. So far this season, “Heroes” has added 32 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from its “live plus same day” to its “live plus seven day” results. In total viewers, “Heroes” adds 1.5 million viewers to its previously reported “live plus same day” results when “live plus seven day” ratings are released.
Monday from 9-10:01 p.m. ET, “Trauma” (1.9/5 in adults 18-49, 5.8 million viewers overall) matched its top 18-49 rating and attracted its biggest overall viewership since its September 28 series debut against competition that included Fox’s World Series coverage, CBS’s “Two and a Half Men” and “Big Bang Theory” and ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.”
Monday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, “The Jay Leno Show” averaged a 1.2/3 in adults 18-49, a 1.4/4 in adults 25-54 and 3.9 million viewers overall. Monday’s time-period competition included Fox’s World Series coverage, CBS’s “CSI: Miami” and ABC’s “Castle.” From its first half-hour to its second, “The Jay Leno Show” increased its 18-49 rating by 18 percent (to a 1.3 from a 1.1).
Comparisons to Jay Leno’s 2008-09 average at 11:35 p.m. ET on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” were: in adults 18-49 (1.2 vs. 1.4), adults 25-54 (1.4 vs. 1.8) and total viewers (3.9 million vs. 5.1 million). Comparisons to NBC’s Monday-through-Friday 10-11 p.m. ET non-sports average over the prior 52 weeks were: in adults 18-49 (1.2 vs. 2.2), adults 25-54 (1.4 vs. 2.7) and total viewers (3.9 million vs. 6.9 million).
On Tuesday, November 3 from 8-10:01 p.m. ET, “The Biggest Loser” averaged a 3.5/9 in adults 18-49 and 9.1 million viewers overall. Versus its November 2008 average, “Loser” was up 13 percent in adults 18-49 (3.5 vs. 3.1) and 20 percent in total viewers (9.1 million vs. 7.6 million). In its two-hour time period, “Loser” tied for #1 among the major networks in women 18-49, despite increased competition in the 8-9 p.m. hour from ABC’s premiere telecast of “V.”
For its second hour, from 9-10 p.m. ET, “Biggest Loser” was a winner, ranking #1 in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and all key adult-female demographics. From its first half-hour to its fourth, “Biggest Loser” grew by 29 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 4.0/10 from a 3.1/8) and by 19 percent or 1.6 million persons in total viewers (to 9.9 million from 8.3 million).
Tuesday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, “The Jay Leno Show” averaged a 2.0/6 in adults 18-49, a 2.2/6 in adults 25-54 and 6.0 million viewers overall, versus time-period competition that included CBS’s “The Good Wife” and ABC’s “The Forgotten.” This marks the highest 18-49 rating for “The Jay Leno Show” on any night of the week in four weeks (since Tuesday, Oct. 6).
“The Jay Leno Show” ranked #1 among the major networks in men 18-34 and #2 in adults and men 18-49, adults and women 18-34 and men 25-54.
Versus Jay Leno’s 2008-09 average at 11:35 p.m. ET on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” Tuesday’s telecast was up in adults 18-49 (2.0 vs. 1.4), adults 25-54 (2.2 vs. 1.8) and total viewers (6.0 million vs. 5.1 million). Comparisons to NBC’s Monday-through-Friday 10-11 p.m. ET non-sports average over the prior 52 weeks were: in adults 18-49 (2.0 vs. 2.2), adults 25-54 (2.2 vs. 2.7) and total viewers (6.0 million vs. 6.9 million).
On Wednesday, November 4 from 8-9 p.m. ET, “Mercy” averaged a 1.7/5 in adults 18-49 and 6.6 million viewers overall in a time period that included competition from Fox’s coverage of the deciding Game 6 of the Phillies-Yankees World Series. “Mercy” was up 16 percent in total viewers versus NBC’s average in this time slot during the regular 2008-09 season (6.6 million vs. 5.7 million in total viewers).
Wednesday from 9-10:01 p.m. ET, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” averaged a 2.4/6 in adults 18-49 and 7.9 million viewers overall versus competition that included Fox’s coverage of the deciding Game 6 of the 2009 World Series. Versus NBC’s average in this slot during the regular 2008-09 season, “SVU” was up 41 percent in 18-49 rating (2.4 vs. 1.7) and 36 percent or more than 2.0 million persons in total viewers (7.9 million vs. 5.9 million). It is worth noting that so far this season, “Law & Order: SVU” has added 24 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from its “live plus same day” to its “live plus seven day” results.
Wednesday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, “The Jay Leno Show” averaged a 1.4/4 in adults 18-49, a 1.6/4 in adults 25-54 and 4.8 million viewers overall. Wednesday’s time-period competition included Fox’s coverage of the deciding Game 6 of the Phillies-Yankees World Series, CBS’s “CSI: NY” and ABC’s “Eastwick.” “The Jay Leno Show” topped “Eastwick” in total viewers, men 18-49 and men 25-54.
Comparisons to Jay Leno’s 2008-09 average at 11:35 p.m. ET on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” were: in adults 18-49 (1.4 vs. 1.4), adults 25-54 (1.6 vs. 1.8) and total viewers (4.8 million vs. 5.1 million). Comparisons to NBC’s Monday-through-Friday 10-11 p.m. ET non-sports average over the prior 52 weeks were: in adults 18-49 (1.4 vs. 2.2), adults 25-54 (1.6 vs. 2.7) and total viewers (4.8 million vs. 6.9 million).
On Thursday, November 5 from 8-8:30 p.m. ET, “Community” (2.3/6 in adults 18-49, 5.5 million viewers overall) scored its highest 18-49 rating and biggest total viewership so far in its five telecasts in this time period. “Community” also delivered NBC’s highest non-sports 18-49 and total-viewer results in this slot since April 9. “Community” ranked #1 among the major networks in the half-hour in adults and men 18-34.
“Community” was up week-to-week for the second week in a row in adults 18-49, gaining 10 percent versus the prior Thursday (2.3 vs. 2.1) and 21 percent versus the Thursday before that (2.3 vs. 1.9). In total viewers, “Community” was up for the fourth week in a row. “Community” was also up 35 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC’s average this season in this time period prior to “Community’s” debut (2.3 vs. 1.7). It is 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 at 8:30 p.m. ET, “Parks and Recreation” (2.2/6 in 18-49, 4.9 million viewers overall) scored a season high rating in adults 18-49. In the time period, “Parks” ranked #1 among the major networks in men 18-34 and #2 in adults 18-34. Week-to-week, “Parks & Recreation” grew 10 percent in adults 18-49 (2.2/6 vs. 2.0/5). So far 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” (4.1/10 in 18-49, 8.1 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among the major networks in all key adult-male demos – men 18-34, 18-49, 25-54 – topping ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” CBS’s “CSI” and Fox’s “Fringe.” “The Office” ranked #2 in the half-hour among adults 18-49, topping “CSI” for the fifth week in a row.
“The Office” was the #2 show of the night in adults 18-49, behind only “Grey’s Anatomy.” It is worth noting that so far this season, “The Office” has added 26 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from its “live plus same day” to its “live plus seven day” results.
Thursday from 9:31-10:01 p.m. ET, “30 Rock” (3.0/8 in 18-49, 6.1 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among the major networks in the time period in men 18-34 and men 18-49 and #2 in adults 18-34. “30 Rock” is a heavily time-shifted program, so far this season adding an average 23 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from its “live plus same day” to its “live plus seven day” results.
Thursday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, “The Jay Leno Show” averaged a 1.6/5 in adults 18-49, a 1.8/5 in adults 25-54 and 4.8 million viewers overall. Thursday’s time-period competition included ABC’s “Private Practice” and CBS’s “The Mentalist.”
Week-to-week, the Thursday edition of “The Jay Leno Show” was up 7 percent in adults 18-49 (1.6/5 vs. 1/5/4), 6 percent in adults 25-54 (1.8/5 vs. 1.7/4) and 10 percent in total viewers (4.8 million vs. 4.4 million).
Comparisons to Jay Leno’s 2008-09 average at 11:35 p.m. ET on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” were: in adults 18-49 (1.6 vs. 1.4), adults 25-54 (1.8 vs. 1.8) and total viewers (4.8 million vs. 5.1 million). Comparisons to NBC’s Monday-through-Friday 10-11 p.m. ET non-sports average over the prior 52 weeks were: in adults 18-49 (1.6 vs. 2.2), adults 25-54 (1.8 vs. 2.7) and total viewers (4.8 million vs. 6.9 million).
On Friday, November 5 from 8-9 p.m. ET, “Law & Order” (1.7/6 in 18-49, 8.0 million viewers overall) hit new season highs in adults 18-49 and total viewers in its regular Friday slot. “Law & Order” also apprehended NBC’s highest non-sports 18-49 rating in this time period since January 16 and biggest overall audience with non-sports programming since February 15, 2008. Week-to-week, “Law & Order” increased by 21 percent in adults 18-49 (1.7/6 vs. 1.4/5) and by 4 percent in total viewers (8.0 million vs. 7.7 million). In the time period, “Law & Order” ranked #2 among the major networks in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures and was #1 outright in total viewers. “Law & Order” improved on NBC’s average in this slot during the 2008-09 regular season by 42 percent in adults 18-49 (1.7 vs. 1.2) and by 81 percent in total viewers (8.0 million vs. 4.4 million). It is worth noting that so far this season, “Law & Order” has added 26 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from its “live plus same day” to its “live plus seven day” results.
Friday from 9-10:01 p.m. ET, a special second telecast of “Law & Order” (1.8/6 in 18-49, 8.3 million viewers overall) matched a season high for NBC in this time period in adults 18-49 and scored a season high for the slot in total viewers. This also marks a season high for the “Law & Order” series (in any time period). “Law & Order” finished one tenth of a rating point out of first place in the time period in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 in total viewers and numerous key demographics, including women 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54.
Friday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, “The Jay Leno Show” averaged a 1.2/4 in adults 18-49, a 1.5/4 in adults 25-54 and 4.6 million viewers overall. Friday’s time-period competition included CBS’s “Numb3rs” and ABC’s “20/20.”
Comparisons to Jay Leno’s 2008-09 average at 11:35 p.m. ET on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” were: in adults 18-49 (1.2 vs. 1.4), in adults 25-54 (1.5 vs. 1.8) and total viewers (4.6 million vs. 5.1 million). Comparisons to NBC’s Monday-through-Friday 10-11 p.m. ET non-sports average over the prior 52 weeks were: in adults 18-49 (1.2 vs. 2.2), adults 25-54 (1.5 vs. 2.7) and total viewers (4.6 million vs. 6.9 million).
On Saturday, November 7 at 9 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of “Law & Order” (1.0/3 in 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall) apprehended season-high results for NBC in this time period in 18-49 and total viewers. “Law & Order” increased by 150 percent in 18-49 rating and 138 percent in total viewers versus its lead-in from the previous hour – a 0.4/1 in 18-49 and 2.1 million viewers overall for an encore telecast of “Mercy” from 8-9 p.m.
Saturday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (1.4/5 in 18-49, 6.2 million viewers overall) captured NBC’s highest 18-49 rating in the time period, excluding sports telecasts, since February 28, and biggest overall audience in 10 months (since January 10). “SVU” ranked #1 among the major networks in the time period in total viewers and all key adult-female demographics.
On Sunday, November 8, the “NBC Sunday Night Football” telecast of the Dallas Cowboys at the Philadelphia Eagles led NBC to a dominant Sunday night win in all key measures – adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 plus total viewers. For its full duration, the Cowboys-Eagles game averaged an 8.5/22 in adults 18-49, 21.9 million viewers overall and a 13.1/21 household rating/share from 8:31-11:50 p.m. ET.
This was NBC’s top-scoring Sunday night in both 18-49 and total viewers since September 20 (New York Giants-Dallas Cowboys).
Sunday’s Cowboys-Eagles game was up 27 percent in 18-49 rating and 25 percent or more than 4.3 million persons in total viewers versus the “Sunday Night Football” game that aired on the same night last year (a 6.7/16 in 18-49 and 17.6 million viewers overall for New York Giants vs. the Philadelphia Eagles on November 9, 2008).
For the night (from 7:30-11 p.m. ET), NBC averaged a 7.2/18 in adults 18-49 and 18.9 million viewers overall. NBC’s margin of victory over the #2 network was 118 percent in adults 18-49 (7.2/18 for NBC from 7:30-11 p.m. vs. a 3.3/8 for CBS from 7-11 p.m.) and 50 percent in total viewers (18.9 million for NBC vs. 12.6 million for CBS).
Also on Sunday, “Football Night in America 2” from 7:30-7:57 p.m. ET averaged a 3.1/9 in 18-49, 8.0 million viewers overall and a 4.7/8 household rating/share. “Football Night in America 3” from 7:57-8:22 p.m. delivered a 4.4/12 in 18-49, 11.7 million viewers overall and a 6.9/11 in households. From 8:22-8:31 p.m., “NBC Sunday Night Football Pre Kickoff” averaged a 6.1/16 in 18-49, 17.3 million viewers overall and a 10.1/16 in households. Note: “Football Night in America” from 7-7:30 p.m. ET was sustaining programming and does not figure in the nightly or weekly primetime averages.
WEEKLY AVERAGES
Average rating, share and audience in each category
ADULTS 18-49
Fox 3.6/10, 4.8 million
CBS 2.9/8, 3.8 million
NBC 2.8/8, 3.7 million
ABC 2.7/7, 3.6 million
CW 1.1/3, 1.5 million
Each rating point equals 1.32 million viewers
ADULTS 25-54
Fox 3.9/10, 4.9 million
CBS 3.8/10, 4.7 million
ABC 3.3/8, 4.1 million
NBC 3.2/8, 4.0 million
CW 1.0/2, 1.3 million
Each rating point equals 1.24 million viewers
TOTAL VIEWERS
CBS 3.8/10, 11.1 million
Fox 3.7/9, 10.7 million
ABC 3.2/8, 9.3 million
NBC 2.8/7, 8.2 million
CW 0.8/2, 2.3 million
Each rating point equals 2.92 million viewers
2009-10 SEASON AVERAGES
Average rating and audience in each category
ADULTS 18-49
Fox 3.7/10, 4.9 million
CBS 3.2/9, 4.3 million
ABC 3.0/8, 4.0 million
NBC 2.7/7, 3.5 million
CW 1.2/3, 1.6 million
Each rating point equals 1.32 million viewers
ADULTS 25-54
CBS 4.2/10, 5.2 million
Fox 4.0/10, 5.0 million
ABC 3.7/9, 4.5 million
NBC 3.1/8, 3.8 million
CW 1.1/3, 1.4 million
Each rating point equals 1.24 million viewers
TOTAL VIEWERS
CBS 4.1/11, 12.1 million
Fox 3.5/9, 10.1 million
ABC 3.4/9, 10.0 million
NBC 2.6/7, 7.7 million
CW 0.9/2, 2.5 million
Each rating point equals 2.92 million viewers
(source: data and release provided by NBC)
