Miley Cyrus-Hosted SNL Draws Shows HIghest 18-49, Total Viewers Since March

The Oct. 5 telecast of "Saturday Night Live," with host and musical guest Miley Cyrus, generated the highest "SNL" results in 18-49 and total viewers since March 9.

Last week's episode earned a 2.7 rating, 12 share in adults 18-49 and 6.7 million viewers overall. That was the show's best since The March 9 episode with host and musical guest Justin Timberlake (3.4/14 in 18-49, 8.4 million viewers overall).

Through the first two weeks of the season, "Saturday Night Live" is up Versus the opening two originals of last season by 4% in 18-49 rating (to a 2.5 from a 2.4) and by 2% in total viewers (6.6 million vs. 6.4 million). The 2.5 is "SNL's" highest 18-49 rating through the first two episodes of a new season in three years (since 2010).

Despite starting 27 minutes late due to a College Football overrun, the Oct. 5 "Saturday Night Live" scored the show's top 18-49 rating for a fourth-quarter telecast since Dec. 11, 2010 (with host Paul Rudd and musical guest Paul McCartney, 2.7). It also matched the top fourth-quarter "SNL" rating since Dec. 12, 2009 (with host Taylor Lautner and musical guest Bon Jovi, 3.1).

"Saturday Night Live" was the night's #1 telecast in 18-49, topping all Primetime programming on all networks in that demographic.

Ratings reflect "live plus same day" data from Nielsen Media Research unless otherwise noted.