Week 46: NBC wins the week as NFL Football is back

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NBC won the week of August 2-8 in adults 18-49, paced by the most-watched NFL preseason game in nearly nine years and two editions of “America’s Got Talent” that ranked among the top programs of the week in both adults 18-49 and total viewers.  NBC averaged a 1.8 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 5.7 million viewers overall for the week of August 2-8, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.  NBC also ranked #1 among the major networks for the week in adults 25-54 and all key adult-male demographics – men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 – and was #2 in total viewers. 
 
NBC’s Sunday telecast of the Cincinnati Bengals-Dallas Cowboys NFL Hall of Fame preseason game was the #1 telecast of the week in primetime’s key demographic of adults 18-49.  Also ranking among the top 25 programs of the week in adults 18-49, were the Tuesday edition of “America’s Got Talent” (#5, tied), the Wednesday edition of “America’s Got Talent” (#7), Wednesday’s “Minute to Win It” (#14, tied) and Monday’s “Last Comic Standing” and Wednesday’s encore telecast of “Law & Order: SVU” (tied at #24; rankings exclude all NFL pre-game telecasts).
 
In total viewers, NBC had three of the top five telecasts of the week with Sunday’s Bengals-Cowboys game ranking #2 among all programs, the Tuesday edition of “America’s Got Talent” ranking #4 and the Wednesday edition of “Talent” ranking #5.
 
Primetime averages for the week of August 2-8 in adults 18-49 were NBC (1.8/6), Fox (1.7/6), ABC (1.6/5), CBS (1.4/5) and CW (0.4/1).  In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (6.1 million), NBC (5.7 million), ABC (5.5 million), Fox (4.6 million) and CW (1.1 million).
 
 
NBC highlights for the week of August 2-8
 
* On Sunday, NBC Sports’ coverage of the 2010 Hall of Fame Game, featuring the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, was the most-watched NFL preseason game on any network in total viewers in nearly nine years and the top Hall of Fame Game in 11 years.  In adults 18-49, it was the top preseason game on any network in six years. This year’s Bengals-Cowboys game was up 45 percent in 18-49 rating and 44 percent in total viewers versus NBC’s first preseason NFL telecast of one year ago
 
* NBC won Sunday night in adults 18-49, more than doubling the rating of its closest primetime competitors. NBC also ranked #1 among the major networks Sunday in all key measures – adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, as well as total viewers.
 
* On Friday, the season finale of “Friday Night Lights” tied for #1 in the time period in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 outright in adults 25-54 and all key adult-male demos – men 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54.  This marks the eighth time in 10 weeks that “Lights” has finished #1 or tied for #1 in the time period in adults 18-49.
 
* “Friday Night Lights” matched its highest 18-49 rating since May 14 and delivered its biggest overall audience since July 9.  Week to week, “Lights” was up 22 percent in 18-49 rating and 14 percent in total viewers
 
* On Thursday, an encore telecast of “Community” scored the show’s highest 18-49 ratings since its season finale on May 20 and “30 Rock” delivered NBC’s highest Thursday 8:30 p.m. ET rating over that same 11-week span.  Both “Community” and “30 Rock” were up week to week in adults 18-49 for the second straight week. 
 
* Also on Thursday, a rebroadcast of “Law & Order: SVU” hit a total-viewer summer high in total viewers for NBC in the time period, increasing versus the prior week by 22 percent in adults 18-49 and 32 percent in total viewers.    
 
* On Wednesday, “America’s Got Talent” was the #1 show of the night in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures, with its top Wednesday results in three weeks.
 
* The Wednesday “Talent” won its time period in 18-49, total viewers and other key measures, taking the hour by a margin of 40 percent in both adults 18-49 and total viewers.
 
* Also on Wednesday, “Minute to Win It” hit a four-week high in adults 18-49 and total viewers, growing week to week by 11 percent in adults 18-49 and 13 percent in total viewers.
 
* Wednesday’s “Minute to Win It” surged from its first half-hour to its second by 47 percent in 18-49 rating and 37 percent or more than 2.1 million persons in total viewers.  For its second half-hour from 8:30-9 p.m. ET, “Minute” ranked #1 in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures in a time period that included competition from CBS’s “Big Brother” and Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance.” 
 
* Additionally on Wednesday, an encore telecast of  “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” ranked #1 among the major networks in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures with that show’s best 18-49 rating in four weeks.  In adults 18-49, “SVU” has now ranked #1 or tied for #1 in the Wednesday 10 p.m. ET time period with its last nine consecutive telecasts.
 
* NBC won Wednesday night in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures.  
 
 * On Tuesday, “America’s Goat Talent” was the #1 telecast of the night in total viewers. “Talent” won its two-hour time period in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key measures
 
* Week to week, the Tuesday edition of “America’s Got Talent” increased by 12 percent in adults 18-49 and 7 percent in total viewers.
 
* Tuesday’s “Talent” grew from its first half-hour to its fourth by 24 percent in 18-49 rating and by 21 percent or nearly 2.0 million persons in total viewers.  For its concluding hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, “America’s Got Talent” was a dominant #1 among the major networks, beating the combined ABC-CBS results in all key ratings categories – adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49, 25-54, teens 12-17 and total viewers.
 
* On Monday, “Last Comic Standing” matched its highest 18-49 rating in four weeks. 
 
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 August 2-8:
 
On Monday, August 2 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of “America’s Got Talent” averaged a 1.2 rating, 4 share in adults 18-49 and 4.6 million viewers overall.
 
Monday from 9-10 p.m. ET, “Last Comic Standing” (1.7/5 in adults 18-49, 4.3 million viewers overall) matched its highest 18-49 rating in four weeks (since July 5).  In the time period, “Last Comic” ranked #2 among the major networks in adults 18-34 (tied).
 
Monday at 10 p.m. ET, “Dateline NBC” (1.4/4 in 18-49, 4.9 million viewers overall) tied for #2 among the major networks in adults 18-49 and ranked #2 outright in adults 18-34 and was #2 or tied for #2 in all key adult-female demos. 
 
On Tuesday, August 3 at 8 p.m. ET, “Breakthrough With Tony Robbins” averaged a 0.8/2 in 18-49 and 3.1 million viewers overall in a time period that included competition from Fox’s “Hell’s Kitchen,” ABC’s “Wipeout” and CBS’s “NCIS” encore.  From its first half-hour to its second, “Breakthrough” increased its 18-49 rating by 14 percent (0.8 vs. 0.7).
 
Tuesday from 9-11 p.m. ET, “America’s Got Talent” (2.9/8 in 18-49, 10.4 million viewers overall) was the #1 telecast of the night in total viewers.  Week to week, the Tuesday edition of “Talent” increased by 12 percent in 18-49 rating (2.9 vs. 2.6) and by 7 percent in total viewers (10.4 million vs. 9.7 million).
 
“America’s Got Talent” ranked #1 in its two-hour time period in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key categories.  From its first half-hour to its fourth, “Talent” grew by 24 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.1/9 from a 2.5/7) and by 21 percent or nearly 2 million persons in total viewers (to 11.1 million vs. 9.1 million).
 
For its concluding hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, “America’s Got Talent” was a dominant #1 among the major networks, beating the combined ABC-CBS results in all key ratings categories – adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49, 25-54, teens 12-17 and total viewers.
 
NBC ranked #1 in primetime in total viewers and #2 in adults 18-49.
 
On Wednesday, August 4 from 8-9 p.m. ET, “Minute to Win It” (2.1/7 in 18-49, 6.8 million viewers overall) hit a four-week high in both 18-49 and total viewers with its top results since July 7.  Week to week, “Minute” was up 11 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 2.1 rating from a 1.9) and13 percent in total viewers (6.8 million vs. 6.0 million).
 
“Minute to Win It” ranked #2 among the major networks in adults 18-49 and total viewers and #1 in men 18-49.
 
From its first half-hour to its second, “Minute” surged by 47 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.5/8 from a 1.7/6) and 37 percent or more than 2.1 million persons in total viewers (to 7.9 million from 5.7 million).  For its second half-hour from 8:30-9 p.m. ET, “Minute to Win It” ranked #1 among the major networks in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures in a time period that included competition from CBS’s “Big Brother” and Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance.”
 
Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, “America’s Got Talent” (2.8/8 in 18-49, 10.1 million viewers overall) delivered the #1 results of the night in adults 18-49 and total viewers, with its top Wednesday numbers in three weeks (since July 14). .
 
 “America’s Got Talent” won its time period in 18-49, total viewers and other key measures.  “Talent” took the hour by a margin of 40 percent in adults 18-49 (2.8 vs. 2.0 for Fox’s second-place “So You Think You Can Dance”) and by 40 percent or more than 2.8 million persons in total viewers (10.1 million vs. 7.2 million for CBS’s second-place “Criminal Minds” encore).
 
Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (1.7/5 in adults 18-49, 5.7 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among the major networks in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key categories.  In adult 18-49 rating, “SVU” has now ranked #1 or tied for #1 in this time period with its last nine consecutive telecasts.
 
Week to week, the Wednesday “Law & Order: SVU” rebroadcast was up 21 percent in 18-49 rating (1.7 vs. 1.4) and 23 percent or more than 1.0 million persons in total viewers (5.7 million vs. 4.6 million).  This was the top 18-49 rating for “SVU” in four weeks.
 
NBC won Wednesday night in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key measures.  
 
On Thursday, August 5 at 8 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of “Community” (1.1/4 in 18-49, 2.7 million viewers overall) scored the show’s top 18-49 rating in 11 weeks (since May 20, during the May sweep).  “Community” was up week to week in adults 18-49 for the second straight week, with a gain of 10 percent versus the prior week (1.1 vs. 1.0) and 38 percent versus two weeks earlier (1.1 vs. 0.8).  “Community” was also up 38 percent versus its 18-49 average in this time period earlier this summer (1.1 vs. 0.8).
 
Thursday from 8:30-9 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of “30 Rock” (1.0/3 in 18-49, 2.4 million viewers overall) delivered NBC’s highest 18-49 rating in this time period in 11 weeks (since May 20).  “30 Rock” was up week to week for the second straight week, with a gain of 11 percent in 18-49 rating versus the prior week (1.0 vs. 0.9) and 25 percent versus two weeks earlier (1.0 vs. 0.8). 
 
Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of “The Office’ (1.2/4 in 18-49, 2.8 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among the major networks in men 18-34 and #2 in the time period in men 18-49 and men 25-54 (tied). 
 
Thursday from 9:31-10 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of “Parks and Recreation” averaged a 1.0/3 in 18-49 and 2.4 million viewers overall.
 
Thursday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (1.1/3 in 18-49, 3.9 million viewers overall) delivered a summer high in total viewers for NBC in this time period.  Week to week, the Thursday “SVU” rebroadcast increased by 22 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.1 from a 0.9) and by 32 percent in total viewers (3.9 million vs. 2.9 million). 
 
On Friday, August 6 from 8-9 p.m. ET, “Friday Night Lights” (1.1/5 in 18-49, 3.6 million viewers overall) tied for #1 in the time period in adults 18-49 and adults 18-34 and ranked #1 outright in adults 25-54 and all key adult-male demos – men 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54.  This marks the eighth time in 10 weeks that “Lights” has finished #1 or tied for #1 in the time period in adults 18-49.
 
“Friday Night Lights” matched its highest 18-49 rating since May 14 and delivered its biggest overall audience since July 9.  Week to week, “Friday Night Lights” was up 22 percent in 18-49 rating (1.1 vs. 0.9) and 14 percent in total viewers (3.6 million vs. 3.1 million).
 
Friday from 9-11 p.m. ET, “Dateline NBC” averaged a 1.0/4 in adults 18-49 and 4.4 million viewers overall. 
 
On Saturday, August 7 at 8 p.m. ET, “Persons Unknown” averaged a 0.4/2 in 18-49 and 1.3 million viewers overall.
 
Saturday at 9 p.m. ET, “Wrestlemania XXVI” averaged a 0.6/3 in 18-49 and 1.8 million viewers overall.  From its first half-hour to its second, the WWE special grew by 17 percent in 18-49 rating (0.7 vs. 0.6) and by 15 percent in total viewers (1.9 million vs. 1.7 million).
 
Saturday at 10 p.m. ET, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (0.7/3 in 18-49, 2.9 million viewers overall) ranked #2 or tied for #2 among the major networks in the time period in adults 18-49, total viewers and most other key categories.  From its first half-hour to its second, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” increased by 33 percent in 18-49 rating (0.8 vs. 0.6) and 21 percent in total viewers (3.1 million vs. 2.6 million).
 
Sunday from 8:10-11 p.m. ET, NBC Sports’ coverage of the 2010 Hall of Fame preseason game, featuring the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys, averaged a 4.2/12 in 18-49, 11.4 million viewers overall and a 6.8/12 in households.  This was up 45 percent in 18-49 rating and 44 percent in total viewers versus NBC’s first preseason NFL telecast of one year ago (Buffalo vs. Tennessee, 2.9/8 in 18-49, 7.9 million viewers overall on August 9, 2009).
 
It’s the most-watched NFL preseason game on any network in total viewers in nearly nine years, since a Dallas-Oakland telecast from Mexico City on ABC Monday, Aug. 27, 2001 (11.5 million).  In adults 18-49, it’s the top preseason NFL game in six years, since the Washington-Denver Hall of Fame Game on ABC Monday, Aug. 9, 2004 (4.2).  In household rating, it’s the #1 preseason game on any network in four years, since the Oakland-Philadelphia Hall of Fame Game on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2006 on NBC (6.8).  It’s also the top Hall of Fame Game in total viewers since Aug. 9, 1999 (Cleveland-Dallas, 14.7 million). 
 
NBC won Sunday night in adults 18-49, more than doubling its closet primetime competitors among the major networks (a 3.4/11 in 18-49 for NBC vs. a 1.6/5 for both CBS and Fox). In total viewers, NBC topped its nearest primetime rival by 39 percent or more than 2.6 million persons (9.4 million vs. 6.8 million for CBS).  NBC also ranked #1 on Sunday night in all other key demographic measures — adults, men and women 18-34, men and women 18-49 and adults, men and women 25-54. 
 
This marks the highest Sunday results in 18-49 and total viewers for any network in eight weeks (since June 13 with ABC’s coverage of Game 5 of the NBA Finales).  It’s NBC’s highest Sunday in both categories since the night of the Closing Ceremony of the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games February 28. 
 
Also on Sunday from 7-8 p.m. ET, the NBC Sports special “Madden ’11 Pigskin Pro-Am” averaged a 1.3/5 in 18-49, 3.4 million viewers overall and a 2.2/5 household rating/share.  From 8-8:10 p.m. ET, “NBC Sunday Night Football Pre Kickoff” averaged a 3.3/12 in 18-49, 9.6 million viewers overall and a 5.8/11 in households.
 
 
WEEKLY AVERAGES
Average rating, share and audience in each category
 
ADULTS 18-49
NBC 1.8/6, 2.3 million
Fox 1.7/6, 2.2 million
ABC 1.6/5, 2.1 million
CBS 1.4/5, 1.8 million
CW 0.4/1, 0.5 million
 
Each rating point equals 1.32 million viewers
 
ADULTS 25-54
NBC 2.1/6, 2.7 million
ABC 2.0/6, 2.5 million
CBS 1.9/6, 2.4 million
Fox 1.9/6, 2.3 million
CW 0.4/1, 0.5 million
Each rating point equals 1.24 million viewers
TOTAL VIEWERS


CBS 2.1/6, 6.1 million
NBC 1.9/6, 5.7 million
ABC 1.9/6, 5.5 million
Fox 1.6/5, 4.6 million
CW 0.4/1, 1.1 million
Each rating point equals 2.92 million viewers
 
 
2009-10 SEASON AVERAGES
Average rating, share and audience in each category
 
ADULTS 18-49
Fox 3.3/9, 4.3 million
CBS 2.8/8, 3.6 million
ABC 2.5/7, 3.3 million
NBC 2.4/7, 3.2 million
CW 0.8/2, 1.1 million
 
Each rating point equals 1.32 million viewers
 
ADULTS 25-54
Fox  3.7/9, 4.6 million
CBS 3.6/9, 4.5 million
ABC 3.0/8, 3.8 million
NBC 2.9/7, 3.6 million
CW 0.8/2, 1.0 million
Each rating point equals 1.24 million viewers
TOTAL VIEWERS

CBS 3.6/10, 10.6 million
Fox 3.1/8, 9.0 million
ABC 2.8/7, 8.1 million
NBC 2.6/7, 7.6 million
CW 0.6/2, 1.8 million
Each rating point equals 2.92 million viewers

(source: NBC)