NBC wins in 18-49

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NBC has finished #1 in adults 18-49 for the primetime week of Nov. 11-17, with the network’s highest 18-49 and total-viewers averages in four weeks, plus increases versus the same week last year of 12% in 18-49 rating (with a 2.8 vs. a 2.5) and 25% in total viewers (8.8 million vs. 7.0 million), according to “live plus same day” viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.


NBC’s 2.8 rating for the week is its highest week-eight rating in four years (since a 2.8 in 2009) and its 8.8 million viewers overall is NBC’s best for a week eight in seven years (since 10.3 million in 2006).

NBC has now finished #1 or tied for #1 during seven of eight weeks this season, finishing #2 only once during a week in which Fox carried World Series coverage on four of seven nights.

“Sunday Night Football” is #1 for the week among primetime programs on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49, total viewers and all other key adult, male and female demos (including a tie with “Big Bang Theory” among women 25-54), plus teens 12-17 and kids 2-11.

In adults 18-49, “Sunday Night Football” ranked #1 for the week among primetime programs on the Big 4, Monday’s “The Voice” tied for #3, Tuesday’s “Voice” was #5 and “The Blacklist” tied for #8. Rankings exclude sports pre- and post-game shows.

Through eight weeks of the season, NBC ranks #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49 and is also #1 in every other key demo – adults, men and women 18-34; men and women 18-49; and adults, men and women 25-54, including a tie with CBS in women 25-54.

NBC leads the season by 0.4 of a rating point (with a 3.1 rating vs. second-place CBS’s 2.7), matching its year-ago margin as the biggest for any network eight weeks into the season in the last four years (since Fox led by 0.5 of a point in 2009).

In total viewers, NBC ranks #2 for the season, its highest total-viewer ranking eight weeks into a season in nine years (since 2004). NBC’s season average of 9.7 million viewers is its biggest overall audience eight weeks into the season in seven years (since 2006, 10.3 million). Versus one year ago, NBC is up 12% season to date in total viewers (9.7 million vs. 8.7 million).

Primetime averages for the week of Nov. 11-17 in adults 18-49 are: NBC, 2.8/8; Fox, 2.0/6; CBS, 1.9/5; ABC, 1.6/5; and CW, 0.7/2.  In overall total viewers, the weekly averages were: CBS, 9.8 million; NBC, 8.8 million; ABC, 6.6 million; Fox, 6.1 million; and CW, 1.8 million.

Season-to-date averages are: NBC, 3.1/9; CBS, 2.7/8; Fox, 2.5/7; ABC, 2.4/7; and CW, 0.9/2.  In overall total viewers, the season averages are: CBS, 12.0 million; NBC, 9.7 million; ABC, 8.6 million; Fox, 7.5 million; and CW, 2.0 million.

NBC highlights for the week of Nov. 11-17:

Monday: NBC finished #1 Monday night in adults 18-49 among the Big 4 by a 52% margin (with a 3.5/10 average vs. a 2.3/6 for #2 Fox), taking six of six half-hours in 18-49 with week-to-week gains from both “The Voice” and “The Blacklist.”

“The Voice” (3.8 rating, 10 share in adults 18-49, 11.9 million viewers overall from 8-10:01 p.m. ET) ranked #1 in the time period among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in every key demographic. Week to week, “The Voice” was up 6% in 18-49 rating (to a 3.8 from a 3.6) and 2% in total viewers (12.0 million vs. 11.7 million). “The Voice” raked #1 for the night on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in 18-49 and other key categories.

“The Blacklist” (3.0/8 in adults 18-49, 10.7 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) ranked #1 in the hour among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 and every other key measure, with its adult 18-49 margin of 50% versus ABC’s #2 “Castle” (3.0 vs. 2.0) up from the prior week’s 32% (2.9 vs. 2.2). “The Blacklist” is the #1 drama of the night in 18-49. Week to week, “The Blacklist” was up 3% in both 18-49 rating (3.0 vs. 2.9) and total viewers (10.7 million vs. 10.4 million). The 10.7 million viewers overall is a four-week high for “Blacklist,” best since the show averaged 13.8 million on Oct. 14.

“Live Plus Three Day”: The Nov. 11 telecast of “The Blacklist” generated the second biggest “live plus three day” increase in U.S. television history in total viewership, growing by 5.227 million persons (from 10.688 million viewers in “live plus same day” to 15.915 million in L+3). The only bigger increase in history came from the Nov. 4 “Blacklist,” which grew by 5.427 million (from 10.337 million to 15.764 million). The 15.915 million for the Nov. 11 telecast is the biggest “Blacklist” audience in L+3 in six weeks(since Sept. 30, 16.443 million). In L+3, “Blacklist” has been up week-to-week in total viewers for each of the last four weeks.

The Blacklist has now delivered the five largest total-viewer L+3 increases ever, including the only three telecasts to gain more than 5 million viewers in L+3.

In adults 18-49, the Nov. 11 “Blacklist” delivered the show’s second biggest L+3 gain to date on both a percentage basis and by rating point, adding 61% or 1.80 rating points to its next-day “live plus same day” 18-49 rating (to a 4.76 in L+3 from a 2.96 in L+SD), trailing only the increases of the prior week (+68%, +1.95 rating points).

Tuesday: NBC tied for #1 Tuesday night in 18-49, to mark the first time in People Meter history (dating back to 1987) that NBC has ranked #1 or tied for #1 in 18-49 on each of the first eight Tuesdays of the season among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox.

“The Biggest Loser” (1.8/5 in 18-49, 6.3 viewers overall from 8-9 p.m.) grew half-hour to half-hour in 18-49 and most other key categories, including a gain of 6% in adults 18-49 (to a 1.9 from a 1.8). “The Biggest Loser” finished #2 in the hour among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 and tied for #2 in adults 18-34.

“The Voice” (3.4/9 in 18-49, 11.6 million viewers overall from 9-10:01 p.m. ET) is the #1 show of the night in adults 18-49 and other key measures. “The Voice” led the hour among the Big 4 networks in 18-49 and most other key demographics. “The Voice” matched the prior week’s edition in 18-49 rating (3.4 vs. 3.4 from 9-11 p.m.) and is up by 3% in total viewers (11.6 million vs. 11.3 million). “The Voice” also equaled last year’s second Tuesday live telecast in 18-49 rating (3.4 vs. 3.4 from 8-9:01 p.m. on Nov. 20, 2012) and is up versus that year-ago episode in total viewers by 23% (11.6 million vs. 9.5 million).

“Chicago Fire” (2.2/6 in 18-49, 7.7 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) aired for the first time in three weeks and grew by 5% in 18-49 rating despite the break (2.2 vs. 2.1 on Oct. 22). In total viewers, “Chicago Fire” is up 3% versus that prior telecast (7.7 million 7.5 million). “Chicago Fire” was also up 38% in 18-49 versus its 1.6 during the same week last year when it ran at 10 p.m. on Wednesdays, and was up in total viewers by 33% (7.7 million vs. 5.8 million on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012). In the time period, “Chicago Fire” ranked #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 and other key demos. It’s the fifth time in six telecasts this season that “Chicago Fire” has won the hour in 18-49 among those networks.

L+3: The Nov. 12 “Chicago Fire” added 37% or 0.81 of a point to its next-day “live plus same day” 18-49 rating (to a 2.99 in L+3 from a 2.18 in L+SD) and in total viewers, added 39% or 2.992 million persons (10.582 million vs. 7.660 million).

Wednesday: “Revolution” (1.5/4 in 18-49, 5.1 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) scored a five-week high in adults 18-49 with its highest 18-49 rating since Oct. 9. Week to week, “Revolution” was up 7% in 18-49 (to a 1.5 from a 1.4). L+3: The Nov. 13 “Revolution” added 47% or 0.70 of a point to its next-day “live plus same day” 18-49 rating (to a 2.19 in L+3 from a 1.49 in L+SD) and in total viewers, added 37% or 1.896 million persons (7.062 million vs. 5.166 million.

“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (1.6/4 in 18-49, 6.2 million viewers overall from 9-10:01 p.m. ET) captured four-week highs, locking up its top 18-49 and total-viewer results since Oct. 16. In 18-49, “SVU” grew versus the prior week by 7% in 18-49 rating (1.6 vs. 1.5) and by 14% versus the previous original before that (1.6 vs. 1.4 on Oct. 23). This week’s “SVU” increased its rating half-hour to half-hour in every key measure, including a gain of 21% in 18-49 rating (to a 1.7 from a 1.4). L+3: The Nov. 13 “Law & Order: SVU” added 43% or 0.68 of a point to its next-day “live plus same day” 18-49 rating (to a 2.27 in L+3 from a 1.59 in L+SD) and in total viewers, added 31% or 1.925 million persons (8.088 million vs. 6.163 million).

A Wednesday “Dateline NBC” (1.1/3 in 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) reported NBC’s biggest overall audience in the hour in five weeks, best since Oct. 9. Despite the 10 p.m. hour, “Dateline” grew half-hour to half-hour in adults 18-49 by 20% (to a 1.2 rating from a 1.0).

Thursday: “Parks and Recreation” (1.1/3 in 18-49, 3.0 million viewers overall from 8-9:01 p.m. ET) finished #2 in the hour among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in men 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54 (tie). L+3: The prior telecast of “Parks and Recreation” added 43% or 0.54 of a point to its next-day “live plus same day” 18-49 rating (to a 1.80 in L+3 from a 1.26 in L+SD).   Upscale: “Parks and Recreation” is the most upscale primetime series on the Big 4 networks in its concentration of adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes, indexing in that category at a 169 (with 100 representing an average concentration of those homes). The #2 show in the category, ABC’s “Modern Family,” is currently indexing at a 162.

“Sean Saves the World” averaged a 0.9/2 in 18-49 and 2.6 million viewers overall from 9:01-9:30 p.m. ET. L+3: The prior week’s “Sean Saves the World” added 21% or 0.29 of a rating point to its next-day L+SD 18-49 rating (to a 1.65 from a 1.36) and 15% or 699,000 persons in total viewers (5.250 million vs. 4.551 million). The 1.65 rating in 18-49 is the highest “Sean” L+3 result since the show’s Oct. 3 premiere.

“The Michael J. Fox Show” (0.9/2 in 18-49, 2.5 million viewers at 9:30 p.m. ET) retained 100% of its 18-49 lead-in from “Sean Saves the World.”   L+3: The prior week’s “Michael J. Fox Show” added 26% or 0.27 of a rating point to its next-day L+SD 18-49 rating (to a 1.30 from a 1.03) and 21% or 712,000 persons in total viewers (4.165 vs. 3.453 million).

“Parenthood” (1.2/4 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m.) maintained or increased its rating in every key demographic from its first half-hour to its second despite the 10 p.m. hour, including gains of 8% in 18-49 (to a 1.3 from a 1.2) and 9% in total viewers (3.9 million vs. 3.6 million). L+3: Last week’s “Parenthood” added 61% or 0.77 of a rating point to its next-day L+SD 18-49 rating (to a 2.04 from a 1.27) and 48% or 1.863 million persons in total viewers (5.741 million vs. 3.878 million).

Friday: “Dateline NBC” (1.1/4 in 18-49, 5.9 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) reported three-week slot highs in 18-49 and total viewers. “Dateline” grew from half-hour to half-hour in every key ratings category, including a gain of 30% in adults 18-49 (to a 1.3 rating from a 1.0).

“Grimm” (1.6/5 in 18-49, 5.8 million viewers overall at 9 p.m. ET) generated week-to-week gains of 23% in 18-49 rating (1.6 vs. 1.3) and 19% in total viewers (5.8 million vs. 4.9 million), to capture the show’s top 18-49 and total-viewer results since its Oct. 25 season premiere. “Grimm” tied for the #1 scripted rating of the night on the Big 4 (1.6 each for “Grimm” and “Hawaii Five-0”). L+3: The prior week’s “Grimm” added 78% or 1.03 rating points to its next-day “live plus same day” 18-49 rating (to a 2.35 in L+3 from a 1.32 in L+SD) and in total viewers, added 57% or 2.783 million persons (7.658 million vs. 4.875 million). The Nov. 8 total-viewer lift of 2.783 million is a series record for “Grimm.” L+7: Last season, “Grimm” originals added an average 73% in 18-49 to these next-day L+SD ratings when Nielsen issued L+7 results (to a 2.86 from a 1.65).

“Dracula” (0.9/3 in 18-49, 3.0 million viewers overall at 10 p.m. ET) matched the prior week’s 18-49 rating and was up in total viewers (2.992 million this week vs. 2.963 million last week). L+3: The prior week’s “Dracula” added 84% or 0.79 of a point to its next-day “live plus same day” 18-49 rating (to a 1.73 in L+3 from a 0.94 in L+SD) and in total viewers, added 57% or 1.683 million persons (4.646 million vs. 2.963 million).

Saturday: A rebroadcast of “Saturday Night Live,” with host Bruce Willis and musical guest Katy Perry (0.8/2 in 18-49, 2.6 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET), equaled the show’s season highs in this time period in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 (1.0 rating) and delivered the biggest overall audience for an “SNL” encore in this hour since Oct. 12.

Sunday: “Sunday Night Football” (9.9/26 in 18-49, 26.9 million viewers overall from 8:31-11:59 p.m. ET), featuring the Kansas City Chiefs at the Denver Broncos, ranked #1 for the night on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in every key ratings category, leading NBC to the nightlong win in 18-49, total viewers and all other key measures.

It’s a season high for “SNF” in total viewers and the top primetime telecast on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox since ABC’s Feb. 24 telecast of the Academy Awards (40.4 million). It’s also the biggest overall audience for a November primetime NFL game in 17 years, since Monday, Nov. 18, 1996 (Green Bay-Dallas on ABC, 31.5 million). For a primetime regular-season game featuring the Kansas City Chiefs, the 26.9 million is a record in people meter history going back to 1987. In adults 18-49, it’s the top November primetime NFL game in 14 years, since Monday, Nov. 8, 1999 (Dallas-Minnesota on ABC, 10.0).

Eleven weeks into the NFL season, “Sunday Night Football” is delivering the strongest total-viewer average for a primetime NFL series (22.0 million, L+SD) at this point in the season in 17 years (since ABC’s Monday coverage in 1996, 23.0 million).

WEEKLY AVERAGES

Average rating, share and audience in each category

ADULTS 18-49

NBC 2.8/8, 3.6 million

Fox 2.0/6, 2.6 million

CBS 1.9/5, 2.4 million

ABC 1.6/5, 2.1 million

CW 0.7/2, 0.9 million

Each rating point equals 1.27 million viewers

ADULTS 25-54

NBC 3.3/9, 4.0 million

CBS 2.7/7, 3.3 million

Fox 2.4/6, 2.8 million

ABC 2.1/5, 2.5 million

CW 0.7/2, 0.9 million

Each rating point equals 1.20 million viewers

TOTAL VIEWERS

CBS 3.3/8, 9.8 million

NBC 3.0/8, 8.8 million

ABC 2.3/6, 6.6 million

Fox 2.1/5, 6.1 million

CW 0.6/2, 1.8 million

Each rating point equals 2.95 million viewers

SEASON TO DATE

Average rating, share and audience in each category

ADULTS 18-49

NBC 3.1/9, 4.0 million

CBS 2.7/8, 3.5 million

Fox 2.5/7, 3.1 million

ABC 2.4/7, 3.1 million

CW 0.9/2, 1.1 million

Each rating point equals 1.27 million viewers

ADULTS 25-54

NBC 3.8/10, 4.5 million

CBS 3.6/9, 4.4 million

ABC 3.0/8, 3.5 million

Fox 2.8/7, 3.4 million

CW 0.9/2, 1.0 million

Each rating point equals 1.20 million viewers

TOTAL VIEWERS

CBS 4.1/11, 12.0 million

NBC 3.3/8, 9.7 million

ABC 2.9/8, 8.6 million

Fox 2.5/6, 7.5 million

CW 0.7/2, 2.0 million

Each rating point equals 2.89 million viewers