Paced by record ratings from Saturday’s NFL Wildcard Playoff game, which was the #1 primetime telecast of the week in all key measures, NBC won the week of January 3-9 in adults 18-49 and other key measures, averaging a 3.2 rating, 9 share in adults 18-49 and 9.6 million viewers overall, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.
These weekly results mark new season highs for NBC in both adults 18-49 and total viewers. This also marks NBC’s fourth weekly victory in the last five weeks in the key demographic of adults 18-49. NBC’s 3.2 average weekly rating in adults 18-49 is the highest for any networks since the week of October 25-31, when Fox averaged a 3.7 with four World Series games.
For the week, NBC also ranked #1 in adults 25-54, men 25-54, women 18-34 and women 18-49 and tied for #1 in adults 18-34 and men 18-49.
NBC’s Saturday telecast of the New York Jets’ 17-16 victory over the Indianapolis Colts ranked as the #1 primetime program of the week in all key measures – adults, men and women 18-49; adults, men and women 18-34; adults, men and women 25-54; as well as total viewers.
Also ranking among the top 20 programs of the week in primetime’s key demographic of adults 18-49 were “The Biggest Loser: Couples” (#15, tied) and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (#20, tied; rankings exclude all football overruns and pre-game and post-game telecasts).
Primetime averages for the week of January 3-9 in adults 18-49 were NBC (3.2/9), Fox (2.8/8), CBS and ABC (2.3/6) and CW (0.4/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (9.7 million), NBC (9.6 million), Fox (8.2 million), ABC (7.3 million) and CW (1.1 million).
Season-to-date through 16 weeks, NBC ranks #2 in adults 18-49, up from a #4 ranking at this same point last season, with a 2.8 rating in that key demographic, up 4 percent versus the first 16 weeks last season (2.8 vs. 2.7). NBC also ranks #2 in adults 25-54 season-to-date, up 6 percent in 25-54 rating versus the first 16 weeks last year (3.3 vs. 3.1). NBC ranks #3 in total viewers season to date, up 4 percent year to year through the first 16 weeks of the season (8.180 million vs. 7.840 million).
NBC highlights for the week of January 3-9
* On Tuesday, the two-hour premiere of “The Biggest Loser: Couples” ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and other key demographics in a time period that included competition from the series premiere of CBS’s “Live to Dance” and the season premiere of ABC’s “V.”
* “The Biggest Loser: Couples” was the #1 program of the night on the broadcast networks in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and other key demos.
* Excluding finales, this was the highest-rated “Biggest Loser” in adults 18-49 since May 11, 2010 and in total viewers it was the top non-finale “Biggest Loser” since February 9, 2010. Versus the most recent “Biggest Loser” premiere on September 21, 2010, the premiere of “The Biggest Loser: Couples” was up 14 percent in 18-49 rating and 22 percent in total viewers.
* Also on Tuesday, “Parenthood” ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in its time period in adults 18-49 and most other key demographics.
* “Parenthood” delivered its highest 18-49 rating since September 21 and its biggest overall audience since September 14. Versus its most recent original telecast on November 23, “Parenthood” was up 21 percent in 18-49 rating and up 34 percent or more than 1.5 million persons in total viewers.
* The “Parenthood” results are likely to increase substantially when Nielsen issues “live plus seven day” results for the week. So far this season, “Parenthood” has added an average 43 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from the previously reported “live plus same day” ratings to its “live plus seven day” results. On a percentage basis, “Parenthood” is the #1 biggest gainer in going from “live plus same day” to “live plus seven” among all primetime series on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW
* NBC ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in primetime Tuesday in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and virtually all other key demographics.
* On Wednesday, a special two-hour edition of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” captured the show’s highest 18-49 rating since September 22 and its biggest overall viewership since its 2008-09 season finale on Tuesday, June 2, 2009.
* “Law & Order: SVU” ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in its two-hour time period in adults, men and women 18-49; adults, men and women 25-54; and total viewers.
* Also on Wednesday, Minute To Win It” ranked #2 among the broadcast networks in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and other key demos in a time period that included competition from the regular-slot debut of CBS’s “Live to Dance,” ABC’s “The Middle” and “Better With You” and Fox’s “Human Target.”
* Head-to-head versus the regular-slot debut of “Live To Dance,” “Minute” prevailed in adults 18-49 and nearly all other key demographic categories, including adults 18-34 and adults 25-54. The “Minute” margin over “Dance” was 17 percent in adults 18-49 and 29 percent in adults 18-34.
* NBC tied for #1 Wednesday night in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and adults 25-54 and was #1 outright in total viewers.
* On Thursday, encore telecasts of “Community,” “30 Rock” and “The Office” delivered week-to-week gains for the second straight week in adults 18-49 and total viewers, despite competition this week from first-run episodes of CBS’s “Big Bang Theory” and “CSI” and ABC’s season premiere of “Wipeout” and an original episode of “Grey’s Anatomy.”
* On Saturday, NBC Sports’ coverage of the New York Jets-Indianapolis Colts NFL Wild Card playoff game generated the highest primetime viewership for any network on a Saturday night since the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics. It was NBC’s most-watched Saturday night in the history of Nielsen’s People Meters
* Saturday’s Jets-Colts playoff game attracted the biggest primetime viewership for any network on any night since ABC’s broadcast of the Academy Awards in March 2010.
* On Sunday, a special two-hour preview of “The Cape” grew by 8 percent in adults 18-49 from its first half-hour to its fourth to rank #1 from 10-11 p.m. in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and all key adult-male demographics. In its concluding hour, “The Cape” topped the ABC-CBS ratings combined in men 18-49 and men 18-34.
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 January 3-9:
On Monday, Jan. 3 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of “Chuck” averaged a 0.7 rating, 2 share in adults 18-49 and 2.2 million viewers overall.
Monday from 9-11 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of “The Biggest Loser; Where Are They Now?” averaged a 1.0/3 in 18-49 and 2.7 million viewers overall.
On Tuesday, Jan. 4 from 8-10 p.m. ET, the premiere of “The Biggest Loser: Couples” (3.3/9 in adults 18-49, 8.8 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and other key demographics in a time period that included competition from the series premiere of CBS’s “Live to Dance” and the season premiere of ABC’s “V.”
“The Biggest Loser” was the #1 program of the night on the broadcast networks in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and other key demos. In head-to-head competition from 8-10 p.m. ET with CBS’s “Live to Dance,” “Biggest Loser” topped “Dance” in all key demographic – adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54. In 18-49 rating, “Loser” prevailed by 38 percent (3.3 vs. a 2.4 for “Live to Dance”). In head-to-head competition with ABC’s “V” from 9-10 p.m., “Biggest Loser” topped “V” by 71 percent in 18-49 rating (3.6 vs. 2.1).
From its first half-hour to its fourth, “Biggest Loser” gained 25 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.5 from a 2.8) and 10 percent in total viewers (to 9.0 million from 8.2 million).
Excluding finales, this was the highest-rated “Biggest Loser” in adults 18-49 since May 11, 2010. In total viewers, it was the top non-finale “Biggest Loser” since February 9, 2010. Versus the most recent “Biggest Loser” premiere on September 21, 2010, the premiere of “The Biggest Loser: Couples” was up 14 percent in 18-49 rating (3.3 vs. 2.9) and up 22 percent in total viewers (8.8 million vs. 7.2 million).
Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET, “Parenthood” (2.3/6 in 18-49, 6.0 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in adults, men and women 18-49; adults, men and women 18-34; adults 25-54 (tie) and women 25-54.
“Parenthood” delivered its highest 18-49 rating since September 21 and its biggest overall audience since September 14. Versus its most recent original telecast on November 23, “Parenthood” was up 21 percent in 18-49 rating (2.3 vs. 1.9) and up 34 percent or more than 1.5 million persons in total viewers (6.0 million vs. 4.5 million).
These “Parenthood” results are likely to increase substantially when Nielsen issues “live plus seven day” results for the week of January 3-9. Through the season’s first 13 weeks, “Parenthood” has added an average 43 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from the previously reported “live plus same day” ratings to its “live plus seven day” results. On a percentage basis, “Parenthood” is the #1 biggest gainer in going from “live plus same day” to “live plus seven” among all primetime series on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW. In total viewers, “Parenthood” is also the #1 biggest gainer in terms of percentage increase in going from “live plus same day” to “live plus seven day,” adding an average 39 percent.
NBC ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in primetime Tuesday in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and virtually all other key demographics.
On Wednesday, Jan. 5 from 8-9 p.m. ET, “Minute To Win It” (2.1/6 in 18-49, 6.7 million viewers overall) ranked #2 among the broadcast networks in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and other key demos in a time period that included competition from the regular-slot debut of CBS’s “Live To Dance,” ABC’s “The Middle” and “Better With You” and Fox’s “Human Target.”
From its first half-hour to its second, “Minute To Win It” grew by 26 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.4 from a 1.9) and by 22 percent or more than 1.3 million persons in total viewers (to 7.4 million from 6.0 million). For its second half-hour from 8:30-9 p.m., “Minute” pulled to within a tenth of a rating point of #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-49 and took the time period lead in men 18-49, adults 18-34 (tie), men 18-34 and women 18-34 (tie).
Head-to-head versus the regular-slot debut of “Live To Dance,” “Minute” prevailed in adults 18-49 and nearly all other key demographic categories, including adults 18-34 and adults 25-54. The “Minute” margin over “Dance” was 17 percent in adults 18-49 (2.1 vs. 1.8) and 29 percent in adults 18-34 (1.8 vs. 1.4).
Wednesday from 9-11 p.m. ET, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (2.9/8 in 18-49, 10.6 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in its two-hour time period in adults, men and women 18-49; adults, men and women 25-54; and total viewers.
The special two-hour edition of “Law & Order: SVU” captured the show’s highest 18-49 rating since September 22 and its biggest overall viewership since its 2008-09 season finale on Tuesday, June 2, 2009. Earlier this season, regular original episodes of “SVU” aired Wednesdays from 9-10 p.m. and starting next week “SVU” originals move to the 10 p.m. hour.
NBC tied for #1 Wednesday night in adults 18-49, with an average 2.7 rating for both NBC and ABC. NBC also tied for #1 for the night in adults 18-34 and adults 25-54 and was #1 outright in total viewers.
On Thursday, Jan. 6 from 8-8:30 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of “Community” (1.0/3 in 18-49, 2.9 million viewers overall) generated week-to-week gains for the second straight week in adults 18-49 and total viewers. Versus the prior Thursday, “Community” was up 25 percent in 18-49 rating (1.0 vs. 0.8) and versus two weeks earlier, “Community” was up 43 percent (1.0 vs. 0.7).
Thursday from 8:30-9 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of “30 Rock” (1.2/4 in 18-49, 3.2 million viewers overall) delivered week-to-week gains for the second consecutive week in adults 18-49 and total viewers. Versus the prior Thursday, “30 Rock” was up 9 percent in 18-49 rating (1.2 vs. 1.1) and versus the Thursday before that, “30 Rock” gained 50 percent (1.2 vs. 0.8). “30 Rock” built on its lead-in by 20 percent in 18-49 rating.
Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of “The Office” (1.7/5 in adults 18-49, 4.0 million viewers overall) filed week-to-week gains for the second week in a row in adults 18-49 and total viewers. Versus the prior Thursday, “The Office” was up 6 percent in 18-49 rating (1.7 vs. 1.6) and versus two weeks earlier, “The Office” was up 70 percent (1.7 vs. 1.0).
Thursday, from 9:31-10 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of “Outsourced” (1.2/3 in 18-49, 3.1 million viewers overall) matched its 18-49 rating of the prior week and was up 50 percent in 18-49 versus two weeks earlier (1.2 vs. 0.8).
Thursday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of “The Office” averaged a 1.0/3 in 18-49 and 22.2 million viewers overall. From 10:30-11 p.m., a second rebroadcast of “The Office” (1.2/3 in 18-49, 2.3 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 20 percent in 18-49 rating and 5 percent in total viewers while competing first-run dramas on ABC and CBS declined half-hour to half-hour in both categories.
On Friday, Jan. 7 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of “Minute To Win It” (1.3/4 in 18-49, 4.4 million viewers overall) clocked NBC’s highest 18-49 rating in the time period in three months (since October 8). In total viewers, “Minute” delivered NBC’s top result in the slot since December 10. From its first half-hour to its second, the “Minute To Win It” rebroadcast increased by 17 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.4 from a 1.2). In the time period, “Minute” ranked #1 or tied for #1 among non-sports broadcasts on ABC, CBS, NBC and CW in men 18-49 and men 18-34.
Friday from 9-11 p.m. ET, “Dateline” reported a 1.3/4 in 18-49 and 5.5 million viewers overall. From its first hour to its second, “Dateline” grew by 17 percent in both 18-49 rating (to a 1.4 from a 1.2) and total viewers (to 5.9 million from 5.1 million).
On Saturday, Jan. 8, NBC Sports’ coverage of the New York Jets 17-16 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL Wild Card playoff game, with an average 33.0 million viewers for the full primetime night, generated the highest primetime viewership for any network on a Saturday night since the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics (Saturday, Feb. 26, 1994 on CBS). This was NBC’s most-watched Saturday night in the history of Nielsen’s People Meters (dating back to September 1987).
Saturday’s Jets-Colts game also attracted the biggest primetime viewership for any network on any night since ABC’s broadcast of the Academy Awards on March 7, 2010.
For its full duration, the Jets-Colts game averaged an 11.8/33 in adults 18-49, 33.4 million viewers overall and an 18.7/31 household rating and share from 8:16-11:05 p.m. ET. For the full primetime night (Saturday from 8-11 p.m.), NBC averaged an 11.6/34 in adults 18-49, 33.0 million viewers overall and an 18.5/31 household rating/share.
NBC ranked #1 on Saturday night by overwhelming margins in all key measures.
Also on Saturday, the NBC NFL Pre-Kickoff telecast from 8:07-8:16 p.m. ET averaged a 10.6/33 in adults 18-49, 30.5 million viewers overall and a 17.2/29 household rating and share, and the NBC NFL Playoff Bridge from 8-8:07 p.m. averaged a 10.8/34 in 18-49, 31.5 million viewers overall and an 18.0/31 household rating and share.
On Sunday, Jan. 9 from 7-9 p.m. ET, “Dateline NBC” reported a 1.1/3 in 18-49 and 5.5 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its fourth, “Dateline” grew by 114 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.5 from a 0.7) and by 74 percent or more than 3.0 million persons in total viewers.
Sunday from 9-11 p.m. ET, a special two-hour preview telecast of “The Cape” captured a 2.6/7 in adults 18-49 and 8.4 million viewers overall. “The Cape” matched NBC’s 2009-10 non-sports average for the time period in adults 18-49 (2.6 rating, live plus same day) and was up 19 percent in total viewers (8.446 million vs. 7.078 million). “The Cape” ranked #2 in its two-hour time period among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in all key adult-male demographics – men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.
From its first half-hour to its fourth, “The Cape” grew by 8 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 2.7 rating from a 2.5). For its second hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, “The Cape” ranked #1 in adults 18-49, as well as in adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and all key adult-male demographics. “The Cape” topped the ABC-CBS rating combined in men 18-49 (with a 2.8 rating vs. a combined 2.7) and men 18-34 (2.4 vs. a combined 1.9).
WEEKLY AVERAGES
Average rating, share and audience in each category
ADULTS 18-49
NBC 3.2/9, 4.2 million
Fox 2.8/8, 3.7 million
CBS 2.3/6, 3.0 million
ABC 2.3/6, 3.0 million
CW 0.4/1, 0.5 million
Each rating point equals 1.31 million viewers
ADULTS 25-54
NBC 3.7/9, 4.7 million
Fox 3.2/8, 4.0 million
CBS 3.1/8, 3.9 million
ABC 2.8/7, 3.5 million
CW 0.4/1, 0.6 million
Each rating point equals 1.24 million viewers
TOTAL VIEWERS
CBS 3.3/8, 9.7 million
NBC 3.2/8, 9.6 million
Fox 2.8/7, 8.2 million
ABC 2.5/6, 7.3 million
CW 0.4/1, 1.1 million
Each rating point equals 2.95 million viewers
2010-11 SEASON AVERAGES
Average rating, share and audience in each category
ADULTS 18-49
CBS 3.0/8, 3.9 million
NBC 2.8/8, 3.7 million
Fox 2.7/8, 3.6 million
ABC 2.5/7, 3.3 million
CW 1.0/3, 1.3 million
Each rating point equals 1.31 million viewers
ADULTS 25-54
CBS 3.9/10, 4.9 million
NBC 3.3/8, 4.1 million
ABC 3.1/8, 3.9 million
Fox 3.0/8, 3.8 million
CW 1.0/2, 1.2 million
Each rating point equals 1.24 million viewers
TOTAL VIEWERS
CBS 4.0/10, 11.7 million
ABC 2.9/8, 8.7 million
NBC 2.8//7, 8.2 million
Fox 2.6/6, 7.6 million
CW 0.8/2, 2.3 million
Each rating point equals 2.95 million viewers
(Source: NBC)
