Week 26: NBC over all No. 4, 'The Celebrity Apprentice' ranked 11th

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Paced by the ratings performance of its unscripted series “The Celebrity Apprentice” and “The Biggest Loser: Couples,” NBC averaged a 1.5 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49 and 5.4 million viewers overall for the week of March 14-20, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.


NBC’s primetime performance was led by Sunday’s telecast of “The Celebrity Apprentice,” which hit a new season high in total viewers and ranked #11 (tied) among all primetime program this week in the key demographic of adults 18-49, and Tuesday’s “The Biggest Loser: Couples,” which ranked #14 this week in adults 18-49.

Primetime averages for the week of March 14-20 in adults 18-49 were Fox (3.2/10), CBS (2.0/6), ABC (1.9/6), NBC (1.5/5) and CW (0.4/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were Fox (9.4 million), CBS (8.0 million) ABC (6.3 million), NBC (5.4 million) and CW (1.1 million).

NBC highlights for the week of March 14-20:

* On Sunday, “The Celebrity Apprentice” was up versus the same night last year by 8 percent in adults 18-49 and 20 percent or more than 1.3 million persons in total viewers. “Celebrity Apprentice” was up 56 percent in adults 18-49 and 34 percent in total viewers versus NBC’s non-sports average in the two-hour Sunday slot prior to the “Apprentice” debut.

* With its third telecast of the current cycle on Sunday, “Celebrity Apprentice” hit a new season high in total viewers. “Celebrity Apprentice” has increased in total viewers with each telecast so far this cycle.

* “The Celebrity Apprentice” grew solidly in all key measures from its first half-hour to its fourth to rank #1 for its second hour from 10-11 p.m. ET in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and other key demographics. The 3.3 rating for “Celebrity Apprentice” in adults 18-49 from 10-11 p.m. ET makes it the highest-rated hour on any network in primetime Sunday night.

* On Friday, “Dateline NBC” ranked #1 in its slot among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 25-54 and total viewers and tied for #2 in adults 18-49. “Dateline” grew from its first half-hour to its fourth by 15 percent in adults18-49, 28 percent in adults 25-54 and 27 percent in total viewers.

* On Thursday, “Community” enrolled its biggest overall audience in six weeks, despite competition that included “American Idol.”

* Also on Thursday, “30 Rock” ranked #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in its time period in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and all key adult-female demographics.

* On Tuesday, “The Biggest Loser’ gained 43 percent in adults 18-49, 41 percent in adults 25-54 and 35 percent or more than 2.4 million persons in total viewers from its first half-hour to its fourth, to rank #1 versus all broadcast and cable competition in the 9-10 p.m. ET hour in adults, men and women 18-49 and adults, men and women 25-54.

* Also on Tuesday, an encore telecast of “America’s Next Great Restaurant” ranked #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in the 10 p.m. ET hour in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and other key demos versus CBS’s encore telecast of “The Good Wife” and ABC’s first-run episode of “Detroit 1-8-7.”

* On Monday, “Harry’s Law” attracted its largest overall audience in six weeks and matched its highest 18-49 rating over that same span. Despite enhanced competition in the time period this week from ABC’s special “Bachelor: After the Final Rose,” “Harry’s Law” increased week-to-week by 6 percent in total viewers while matching its week-ago 18-49 rating.

* With an average 10.2 million viewers overall, “Harry’s Law” ranked # 17 among all primetime programs this week in total viewers.

Since its debut, “Harry’s Law” has earned NBC’s nine best 18-49 ratings in its Monday time period since November 1, 2010 and attracted the network’s nine biggest overall audiences in the slot, excluding Olympics, in 18 months. The March 14 “Harry’s Law” was up 20 percent in 18-49 rating and up 99 percent in total viewers versus NBC’s non-sports average in this slot during the traditional 2009-10 season.

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 March 14-20:

On Monday, March 14 from 8-9 p.m. ET, “Chuck” averaged a 1.6 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49 and 4.9 million viewers overall.
Monday from 9-10 p.m. ET, “The Event” averaged a 1.2 rating, 3 share in adults 18-49 and 4.3 million viewers overall. These results for “The Event” are likely to increase substantially when Nielsen releases “live plus seven day” results for the week of March 7-13. Through its run on NBC earlier this season, “The Event” added an average 38 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from the previously reported “live plus same day” rating to its “live plus seven day” results, the biggest percentage increase for any new series on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox or CW and the #4 increase for all series, new and returning. In total viewers, “The Event” has added an average 29 percent or more than 2.0 million persons in going from “live plus same day” to “live plus seven day.”

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, “Harry’s Law” (1.8/5 in 18-49, 10.2 million viewers overall) attracted its largest overall audience in six weeks (since January 31) and matched its highest 18-49 rating since that same date, in the face of enhanced competition in the time period from ABC’s special “Bachelor: After the Final Rose.” Despite this competition, which more than tripled ABC’s week-ago 18-49 rating in the slot with a “Castle” rebroadcast and more than doubled ABC’s week-ago total viewership, “Harry’s Law” increased week-to-week by 6 percent in total viewers (to 10.2 million from 9.6 million), while matching its week-ago 18-49 rating.

It’s also worth noting that so far this season, “Harry’s Law” has added an average 25 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from the previously reported “live plus same day” rating to its “live plus seven day” figure.

From its first half-hour to its second, “Harry’s Law” increased by 6 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.8 rating from a 1.7) and by 4 percent in total viewers (10.362 million vs. 9.963 million). .

Since its debut on January 17, “Harry’s Law” has earned NBC’s nine best 18-49 ratings in the time period since November 1, 2010 and attracted the network’s nine biggest overall audiences in the slot, excluding Olympics, in 18 months (since September 14, 2009). The March 14 “Harry’s Law” was up 20 percent in 18-49 rating (1.8 vs. 1.5) and up 99 percent in total viewers (10.163 million vs. 5.103 million) versus NBC’s non-sports average in this slot during the traditional 2009-10 season.

On Tuesday, March 15 from 8-10 p.m. ET, “The Biggest Loser: Couples”(2.7/8 in adults 18-49, 8.0 million viewers overall) grew from its first half-hour to its fourth by 43 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 3.3 rating from a 2.3), by 41 percent in adults 25-54 (4.1 vs. 2.9) and by 35 percent or more than 2.4 million persons in total viewers (9.4 million vs. 7.0 million). With this strong growth, “Biggest Loser” won the 9-10 p.m. ET hour in adults, men and women 18-49 and adults, men and women 25-54. Overall in its two-hour time period from 8-10 p.m., “Loser’ ranked #2 in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures.

Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of “America’s Next Great Restaurant” (1.6/5 in 18-49, 3.9 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and other key demos versus CBS’s encore telecast of “The Good Wife” and ABC’s first-run episode of “Detroit 1-8-7.”

On Wednesday, March 16 from 8-9 p.m. ET, “Minute To Win It” averaged a 1.0/3 in adults 18-49 and 3.3 million viewers overall. From 9-10 p.m., an encore telecast of “Law & Order: SVU” averaged a 0.9/2 in 18-49 and 3.2 million viewers overall.

Wednesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, a second rebroadcast of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (1.5/4 in adults 18-49, 5.3 million viewers overall) built on its encore results from the prior hour by 67 percent in 18-49 rating and 62 percent or more than 2.0 million persons in total viewers (5.3 million vs. 3.3 million). In competition with first-run dramas on ABC and CBS, the “SVU” rebroadcast ranked #2 among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and other key demos.

On Thursday, March 17, at 8 p.m. ET, “Community” delivered a 1.7/6 in adults 18-49 and 4.2 million viewers overall in a highly competitive time period that included Fox’s “American Idol,” CBS’s NCAA basketball coverage and ABC’s “Winter Wipeout.” “Community” enrolled its biggest overall viewership in six weeks (since February 3). So far this season, “Community” added an average 26 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from the previously reported “live plus same day” rating to its “live plus seven day” figure.

At 8:30 p.m., “Perfect Couples” averaged a 1.2/4 in 18-49 and 2.9 million viewers overall.

Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of “The Office” filed a 1.5/5 in 18-49 and 3.8 million viewers overall.

From 9:31-10 p.m. ET, “Parks and Recreation” (1.8/5 in 18-49, 4.1 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in from an “Office” encore by 20 percent in 18-49 rating. In the time period, “Parks” tied for #2 among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-49 and was #2 outright in adults 18-34. .

Thursday from 10-10:31 p.m. ET, “30 Rock”(1.7/5 in adults 18-49, 4.2 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and all key adult-female demographics. So far this season, “30 Rock” added an average 31 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from the previously reported “live plus same day” rating to its “live plus seven day” figure, making it the #3 biggest gainer on a percentage basis among half-hour comedies, behind only “The Office” and “Modern Family.”

From 10:31-11 p.m., “Outsourced” (1.4/4 in 18-49, 3.5 million viewers overall) ranked #2 among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 and #1 in women 18-34 and women 18-49. “Outsourced” called up its biggest overall viewership since February 3. So far this season, “Outsourced” added an average 28 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from the previously reported “live plus same day” rating to its “live plus seven day” figure. On a percentage basis, “Outsourced” is the #1 biggest gainer going from “live plus same day” to “live plus seven” among all first-year half-hour comedies on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox or CW.

On Friday, March 18 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of “Who Do You Think You Are?” averaged a 0.9/3 in 18-49 and 4.3 million viewers overall. Week to week, “Who Do You Think You Are?” grew by 15 percent in total viewers (to 4.305 million persons from 3.750 million for last week’s rebroadcast).

Friday from 9-11 p.m. ET, “Dateline NBC” (1.4/5 in 18-49, 7.0 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 25-54 and total viewers and tied for #2 in adults 18-49. Week to week, “Dateline” was up 5 percent in total viewers (to 7.034 million from 6.716 million).

From its first half-hour to its fourth, “Dateline” grew by 15 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.5 from a 1.3), 28 percent in adults 25-54 (2.3 vs. 1.8) and 27 percent or more than 1.6 million persons in total viewers (7.7 million vs. 6.0 million).

NBC ranked #1 in primetime Friday night among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in total viewers and adults 25-54.

On Saturday, March 19 at 8 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of “Harry’s Law” averaged a 0.5/2 in 18-49 and 3.8 million viewers overall. At 9 p.m., a rebroadcast of “Law & Order: LA” averaged a 0.6/2 in 18-49 and 4.2 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its second, “Law & Order: LA” grew by 40 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 0.7 from a 0.5).

Saturday from 10-11 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (1.1/4 in 18-49, 5.5 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in total viewers and all key adult-female demos – women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54. From its first half-hour to its second, “SVU” grew by 33 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.2 from a 0.9).

On Sunday, March 20 from 7-8 p.m. ET, “Dateline NBC” delivered a 0.9/3 in 18-49 and 5.1 million viewers overall.

Sunday from 8-9 p.m. ET, “America’s Next Great Restaurant” (1.2/4 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall) grew from its first half-hour to its second in all key ratings categories, including gains of 18 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.3 from a 1.1) and 25 percent in women 18-49 (1.5 vs. 1.2). “America’s Next Great Restaurant” built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 33 percent in adults 18-49 and by 150 percent in adults 18-34 (1.0 vs. 0.4).

Sunday from 9-11 p.m. ET, “The Celebrity Apprentice” (2.8/8 in 18-49, 8.2 million viewers overall) was up versus the same night last year by 8 percent in 18-49 rating (2.8 vs. a 2.6 on March 21, 2010) and up 20 percent or more than 1.3 million persons in total viewers (8.169 million vs. 6.813 million).

In the two-hour time period, “Celebrity Apprentice” ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and was #1 in women 18-49 and women 25-54.

“Celebrity Apprentice” generated steady growth throughout its two-hour telecast, increasing 43 percent in 18-49 rating from its first half-hour to its fourth (to a 3.3 from a 2.3) and adding 39 percent or nearly 2.7 million persons in total viewers (to 9.5 million from 6.8 million).

For its second hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, “Celebrity Apprentice” ranked #1 in adults 18-49, as well as in adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and other key measures. The 3.3 rating for “Celebrity Apprentice” in adults 18-49 from 10-11 p.m. ET makes it the highest-rated hour on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox in primetime Sunday night.

“Celebrity Apprentice” built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 133 percent in adults 18-49 (2.8 vs. 1.2) and 116 percent in total viewers (8.2 million vs. 3.8 million). “Celebrity Apprentice” was up 56 percent in 18-49 rating (2.8 vs. 1.8, “live plus same day”) and 34 percent in total viewers (8.169 million vs. 6.103 million) versus NBC’s non-sports average in this time period earlier this season prior to the “Apprentice” debut.

NBC’s Sunday primetime built steadily throughout the night, more than tripling in 18-49 rating (to a 3.3/10 from a 0.9/3) and growing 76 percent in total viewers (to 9.470 million from 5.387 million) from the first to the final half-hour of primetime.

WEEKLY AVERAGES
Average rating, share and audience in each category

ADULTS 18-49
Fox 3.2/10, 4.2 million
CBS 2.0/6, 2.7 million
ABC 1.9/6, 2.4 million
NBC 1.5/5, 2.0 million
CW 0.4/1, 0.6 million
Each rating point equals 1.31 million viewers

ADULTS 25-54
Fox 3.7/10, 4.6 million
CBS 2.7/7, 3.3 million
ABC 2.3/6, 2.9 million
NBC 1.9/5, 2.4 million
CW 0.4/1, 0.5 million
Each rating point equals 1.24 million viewers

TOTAL VIEWERS

Fox 3.2/9, 9.4 million
CBS 2.7/7, 8.0 million
ABC 2.1/6, 6.3 million
NBC 1.8/5, 5.4 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
Fox 3.5/10, 4.7 million
CBS 3.0/8, 3.9 million
NBC 2.4/7, 3.2 million
ABC 2.4/7, 3.2 million
CW 0.9/3, 1.2 million
Each rating point equals 1.31 million viewers

ADULTS 25-54
CBS 3.9/10, 4.9 million
Fox 3.9/10, 4.9 million
ABC 3.0/7, 3.7 million
NBC 2.9/7, 3.6 million
CW 0.9/2, 1.1 million
Each rating point equals 1.24 million viewers

TOTAL VIEWERS

CBS 4.0/10, 11.9 million
Fox 3.3/8, 9.8 million
ABC 2.8//7, 8.2 million
NBC 2.5/6, 7.4 million
CW 0.7/2, 2.1 million
Each rating point equals 2.95 million viewers

(source: NBC)