Led by 66th Annual EMMY AWARDS, NBC Wins Primetime Week

By: Sep. 03, 2014
Get Access To Every Broadway Story

Unlock access to every one of the hundreds of articles published daily on BroadwayWorld by logging in with one click.




Existing user? Just click login.

NBC has won the PRIMETIME week of Aug. 25-31 among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, total viewers and virtually all other key measures, led by "The 66thPrimetime Emmy® Awards," which ranked #1 among the week's PRIMETIME telecasts on the Big 4 networks in every key ratings category - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, plus total viewers.

NBC's win marks the 11thtime this summer the network has finished #1 or tied for #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in 18-49 rating, making NBC the only Big 4 network to have won more than three weeks since the close of the traditional season (L+SD). At this point last summer, NBC had finished #1 or tied for #1 six times versus five each for ABC and Fox. For the week, NBC averaged a 1.3 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49 and 5.8 million viewers overall, according to "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

NBC's 1.3 for the week is the highest rating for any Big 4 network in four weeks, since NBC earned a 1.4 the week of July 28-Aug. 3. NBC's 5.8 million viewers overall makes this the network's most-watched week in four months, since averaging 6.1 million viewers for the week of April 28-May 4.

Versus the same week last year, NBC is up +30% in adult 18-49 rating (to a 1.3 from a 1.0) and up +43% in total viewers (5.8 million vs. 4.1 million).

Joining Monday's "Emmy" coverage among NBC telecasts to rank in the week's top 30 among Big 4 PRIMETIME programs in 18-49 were Tuesday's edition of "America's Got Talent" (#3), Wednesday's "Talent" (#8), Tuesday's "Food Fighters" (tied for #15), Wednesday's "Talent" encore (tied for #18) and Friday's "Dateline NBC" (tied for #27).

The "Emmy" telecast, hosted by Seth Meyers, along with Tuesday and Wednesday editions of "Talent," accounted for the #1, 2 and 3 Big 4 PRIMETIME telecasts of the week in total viewers.

Through 49 weeks of the 2013-14 broadcast year, NBC ranks #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, adults 18-34 (tied with Fox), men 18-49 (tied with Fox), men 25-54 and all key adult-female demos. It's the first time NBC has ranked #1 in adults 18-49 at this point in the season in 10 years (since the 2003-04 season).

Versus one year ago, NBC is up +10% for the broadcast year to date in adults 18-49 (2.3 vs. 2.1).

In total viewers, NBC ranks #2 for the broadcast year with an average of 8.2 million viewers, which is its biggest overall audience 49 weeks into the season in six years (since 2007-08, 8.5 million). Versus one year ago, NBC is up +25% season to date in total viewers (8.2 million vs. 6.5 million).

Primetime averages for the week of Aug. 25-31 in adults 18-49 are: NBC, 1.3/5; ABC, 1.0/4; CBS, 1.0/4; Fox, 0.8/3; and CW, 0.3/1. In overall total viewers, the weekly averages were: NBC, 5.8 million; CBS, 5.3 million; ABC, 4.0 million; Fox, 2.3 million; and CW, 0.8 million.

Season-to-date averages are: NBC, 2.3/7; Fox, 2.1/7; CBS, 2.0/6; ABC, 1.9/6; and CW, 0.6/2. In overall total viewers, the season averages are: CBS, 9.3 million; NBC, 8.2 million; ABC, 6.9 million; Fox, 6.2 million; and CW, 1.6 million.

NBC highlights for the week of Aug. 25-31:

Monday: NBC's telecast of "The 66th PRIMETIME Emmy® Awards" (4.2 rating in adults 18-49,15.6 million viewers overall), hosted by Seth Meyers, generated the second biggest overall audience for the Emmys since 2006, trailing over that span only the 17.8 million for last year's telecast, which benefited from Sunday scheduling, a September airdate and a high-rated NFL lead-in. Excluding those 2013 results, this is the top Emmys in total viewers since the Sunday, Aug. 27, 2006 telecast on NBC averaged 16.2 million viewers. In adults 18-49, the 4.2 matches the second highest Emmy rating since the 2007 coverage on FOX averaged a 4.3 on Sunday, Sept. 16, trailing over that span only last year's 4.9 on CBS.

The 15.6 million represented the most-watched night on any network since ABC's Academy Awards on March 2 (35.2 million).

The Emmys topped the combined Big 4 competition in primetime, with a 4.2 rating edging the combined 4.1 of Fox, ABC and CBS, while the 15.6 million in total viewers beat the combined total of 14.0 million. NBC ranked #1 for the night in every key ratings measure. The "Emmys" attracted NBC's biggest total-viewer result in the Monday 8-11 p.m. ET time period, excluding Olympics, since Feb. 6, 2012. In 18-49, the 4.2 rating matches NBC's highest for a non-Olympic Monday since Sept. 23, 2013.

The Monday telecast finished within 12% of last year's NFL-boosted coverage on CBS in total viewers and within 14% in 18-49 rating. Versus the last Emmys to not follow an NFL lead-in, the Sept. 23, 2012 telecast on ABC, this year's coverage was up +18% in total viewers (15.6 million vs. 13.3 million) and up +8% in 18-49 (4.2 vs. 3.9).

From 7:30-8 p.m. on NBC stations reaching 85% of the country, the "Emmy Red Carpet Special" averaged a 1.0/4 in adults 18-49 and 4.9 million viewers overall.

Tuesday: NBC finished #1 for the night among the Big 4 in 18-49 and total viewers with the #1 show of the night in both categories, "America's Got Talent" (2.1/7 in 18-49, 9.5 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET). In 18-49, "Talent" grew +5% week to week in 18-49 (to a 2.1 rating from a 2.0) to match its top Tuesday rating in four weeks (since a 2.4 on July 29). "America's Got Talent" won its two-hour time period among the Big 4 by a margin of +75% (2.1 vs. 1.2 for second-place ABC from 9-11 p.m.) and by +68% in total viewers (9.5 million vs. 5.7 million for second-place CBS).

"Food Fighters" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 4.7 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) grew +10% week to week in 18-49 rating (1.1 vs. 1.0) to a three-week high (best since a 1.2 on Aug. 5) and increased by 3% n total viewers (4.7 million vs. 4.6 million) to a four-week high (best since 4.7 million on July 29 and second-best this summer). "Food Fighters" grew from half-hour to half-hour in every key measure, including gains of +20% in adults 18-49 (to a 1.2 from a 1.1) and +21% in adults 25-54 (1.7 vs. 1.4).

Wednesday: NBC ranked #1 for the night in total viewers with the #1 show of the night by that measure, "America's Got Talent" (1.8/6 in 18-49, 9.3 million viewers overall from 9-10:01 p.m. ET), which won its time slot among the Big 4 in every key measure - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, plus total viewers -- and was the #1 show of the night in total viewers. "Talent" built by +80% on its lead-in from an 8 p.m. encore in 18-49 and grew by +71% in total viewers.

"Taxi Brooklyn" (0.7/2 in 18-49, 4.4 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) grew versus "Camp" in the time period on the same night last year in total viewers by +37% or 1.2 million persons in total viewers (4.4 million vs. 3.2 million).

An encore telecast of "America's Got Talent" (1.0/4 in 18-49, 5.5 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) ranked #2 in the period among the Big 4 in total viewers and adults 25-54 (tie).

Thursday: An encore telecast of "Hollywood Game Night," which aired in 89% of the country (0.9/4 in 18-49, 3.7 million viewers overall from 8-9:01 p.m. ET), ranked #2 in the time period on the Big 4 in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and total viewers and tied for #1 in adults 18-34.

"Welcome to Sweden," airing in 88% of the country, averaged a 0.4/1 in 18-49 and 1.8 million viewers overall from 9:01-9:30 p.m. ET and a 0.3/1 in 18-49 and 1.5 million viewers overall from 9:30-10 p.m. ET.

A rebroadcast of "America's Got Talent," which aired in 90% of the country, averaged a 0.5/2 in 18-49 and 2.4 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET. Despite this week's lower clearance level, "Talent" retained 99% of the prior week's result in total viewers (2.370 million vs. 2.395 million).

Friday: NBC tied for #1 for the night in adults 18-49 among the Big 4 networks.

A rebroadcast of "Running Wild with Bear Grylls" (0.5/2 in 18-49, 1.9 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) grew 0.1 of a point or +25% versus the prior week's telecast in adults 18-49 (to a 0.5 rating from a 0.4).

An encore telecast of "Dateline NBC" (0.9/4 in 18-49, 4.5 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) tied for #1 in the time period in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. For its second hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, the "Dateline NBC" encore was #1 outright among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

Saturday: "Dateline Saturday Night Mystery" (0.8/3 in 18-49, 4.1 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) matched its top 18-49 rating since July 26 and attracted its biggest overall viewership since that same date. "Dateline Saturday Night Mystery" was the #1 non-sports PRIMETIME telecast of the night on the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54.

A rebroadcast of "Law & Order: SVU" (0.5/2 in 18-49, 2.9 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) delivered the show's top total-viewer result among five Saturday rebroadcasts this season and matched its highest Saturday 18-49 rating.

Sunday: An encore telecast of "American Ninja Warrior" (0.6/2 in 18-49, 2.3 million viewers overall from 7-9 p.m. ET) tied for #2 among the Big 4 networks in the time period in adults 18-49.

A rebroadcast "America's Got Talent" (0.5/2 in 18-49, 2.5 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) ranked #2 in total viewers in the time period among the Big 4 networks.

WEEKLY AVERAGES
Average rating, share and audience in each category

ADULTS 18-49

NBC 1.3/5, 1.7 million

ABC 1.0/4, 1.3 million

CBS 1.0/4, 1.3 million

Fox 0.8/3, 1.0 million

CW 0.3/1, 0.3 million

Each rating point equals 1.27 million viewers

ADULTS 25-54

NBC 1.7/5, 2.0 million

CBS 1.4/4, 1.7 million

ABC 1.3/4, 1.6 million

Fox 0.9/3, 1.1 million

CW 0.3/1, 0.4 million

Each rating point equals 1.20 million viewers

TOTAL VIEWERS

NBC 2.0/6, 5.8 million

CBS 1.8/5, 5.3 million

ABC 1.3/4, 4.0 million

Fox 0.8/2, 2.3 million

CW 0.3/1, 0.8 million

Each rating point equals 2.95 million viewers

SEASON TO DATE
Average rating, share and audience in each category

ADULTS 18-49

NBC 2.3/7, 3.0 million

Fox 2.1/7, 2.7 million

CBS 2.0/6, 2.6 million

ABC 1.9/6, 2.4 million

CW 0.6/2, 0.8 million

Each rating point equals 1.27 million viewers

ADULTS 25-54

NBC 2.9/8, 3.5 million

CBS 2.7/7, 3.3 million

Fox 2.4/7, 2.9 million

ABC 2.4/6, 2.8 million

CW 0.7/2, 0.8 million

Each rating point equals 1.20 million viewers

TOTAL VIEWERS

CBS 3.2/9, 9.3 million

NBC 2.8/8, 8.2 million

ABC 2.3/6, 6.9 million

Fox 2.1/6, 6.2 million

CW 0.6/1, 1.6 million

Each rating point equals 2.89 million viewers




Comments

To post a comment, you must register and login.

Vote Sponsor


Videos