NBC Takes the Week Among ABC, CBS, NBC & Fox in Every Key Measure

NBC has dominated the Sept. 12-18 primetime ratings week, with "Sunday Night Football," two editions of "America's Got Talent," "Better Late Than Never" and "Blindspot" accounting for five of the week's ten most-watched shows on the Big 4 networks, according to "live plus same day" figures from Nielsen Media Research.

NBC won the week among those nets in every key measure - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, as well as total viewers.

In total viewers, "Sunday Night Football" ranked #1 among primetime telecast on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, with Wednesday's "Talent" finale #3, Tuesday's "Talent" #4, Tuesday's "Better Late Than Never" finale #9 and Wednesday's "Blindspot" season-two debut #10 (rankings exclude sports pre- and post-game shows).

In adults 18-49, "SNF" also ranked #1 among those nets in primetime for the week, with the Tuesday and Wednesday editions of "Talent" tied with ABC's "Emmy Awards" for #3, "American Ninja Warrior," ranking #12, "Better Late Than Never" finishing #13, "Blindspot" tying for #14 and "Running Wild with Bear Grylls" tied for #17.

The Sept. 12-18 week concluded the 2015-16 primetime Nielsen season, which NBC won in every key demographic, including its third consecutive victory in the key adult 18-49 and adults 25-54 races. NBC wins the season in 18-49 and 25-54 viewers with or without its August boost from the Rio Summer Olympics and also delivers the season's biggest 18-49 and 25-54 audience when only non-sports entertainment programming is counted.

NBC delivered its most-watched season in eight years, with its average of 8.463 million viewers overall for the 2015-16 season the network's best since NBC delivered 8.502 million in 2007-08.

NBC finished #1 or tied for #1 during 31 of the season's 52 weeks (L+SD), marking the third year in a row NBC won more weeks in 18=-49 than the other Big 4 networks combined.

Primetime averages for the week of Sept. 12-18 in adults 18-49 are: NBC, 2.4 rating, 9 share; CBS, 1.9/7; ABC, 1.1/4; Fox, 0.9/3; and CW, 0.3/1. In overall total viewers, the weekly averages were: NBC, 8.7 million; CBS, 7.6 million; ABC, 5.1 million; Fox, 2.8 million; and CW, 1.0 million.

"Most current" averages for the season to date are: NBC, 2.2/8; CBS, 1.9/7; ABC, 1.7/6; Fox, 1.6/6; and CW, 0.6/2. In overall total viewers, the season averages are: CBS, 9.1 million; NBC, 8.5 million; ABC, 6.4 million; Fox, 4.8 million; and CW, 1.7 million.

NBC highlights for the week of Sept. 12-18:

Monday

"American Ninja Warrior" (1.7/6 in 18-49, 5.9 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) grew +6% week to week in 18-49 (1.7 vs. 1.6) and +1% in total viewers (5.9 million vs. 5.8 million). This week's "Ninja" increased steadily throughout the telecast, generating this 18-49 half-hour track - 1.4, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9 - for a gain of +36% from its first half-hour to its fourth.

"Live Plus Three Day" Ratings: "Ninja" increased by +18% in 18-49 (1.69 to 1.99) and +597,000 viewers overall (5.9 million to 6.7 million) going from "live plus same day" Nielsens to L+3.

"Live Plus Seven Day" Ratings: So far this summer, "American Ninja Warrior" has grown by +21% going from L+SD to L+7 in 18-49 rating (from a 1.78 to a 2.16) and more than 1.0 million viewers overall (6.4 million to 7.4 million).

"Running Wild with Bear Grylls," featuring Marshawn Lynch (1.2/4 in 18-49, 3.6 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) jumped +20% week to week in 18-49 (1.2 vs. 1.0) and +12% in total viewers (3.6 million vs. 3.3 million). "Running Wild" ranked #1 in the slot among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49, 18-34 and 25-54 and all key adult-male demos. L+3: "Running Wild" grew by +19% in 18-49 (1.23 to 1.46) and 597,000 viewers overall (3.6 million to 4.2 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: "Running Wild" has grown by +18% this summer in 18-49 rating (from a 1.26 to a 1.49 and 707,000 viewers overall (3.8 million to 4.6 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Tuesday

NBC won the night in every key measure, winning six of six half-hours among the Big 4 nets in both 18-49 and total viewers.

"America's Got Talent" (2.8/10 in 18-49, 14.0 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) hit season highs in 18-49 and total viewers, earning the show's top 18-49 rating in more than two years (since June 3, 2014, 2.9) and most-watched episode in five years (since Sept. 14, 2011, 14.4 million). It's just the second time ever and first time in six years that "Talent" has set a new season high with its performance finale. Versus the same night last year, "Talent" jumped +17% in 18-49 (2.8 vs. 2.4 on Sept. 15, 2015) and +23% in total viewers (14.0 million vs. 11.4 million). "Talent" was the #1 show of the night on the Big 4 networks in all key categories. L+3: "Talent" increased by +16% in 18-49 (2.76 to 3.20) and +1.6 million viewers overall (14.0 million to 15.6 million) going from L+SD to L+3, delivering the biggest L+3 lifts of the night in total viewers and 18-49 rating (+0.44). L+7: Tuesday's "America's Got Talent" has grown by +31% this summer in 18-49 rating (from a 2.45 to a 3.21) and 2.6 million viewers overall (11.5 million to 14.1 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

"Better Late Than Never" (1.6/6 in 18-49, 7.6 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) tied its series high in 18-49 and set a new series high in total viewers, increasing +7% week to week in 18-49 (1.6 vs. 1.5) and +11% in total viewers (7.6 million vs. 6.9 million). "Better Late" won the slot among ABC, CBS and NBC in every key measure, while tying for the #2 highest rating and scoring the #2 biggest overall audience for any episode of any original summer series on ABC, CBS, NBC or FOX this season, behind only ABC's June 26 debut of "$100,000 Pyramid" (1.7 in 18-49, 8.1 million viewers). L+3: "Better Late" grew by +18% in 18-49 (1.61 to 1.90) and +1.3 million viewers overall 7.6 million to 8.29million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: "Better Late Than Never" has increased by +23% this summer in 18-49 rating (from a 1.60 to a 1.96) and 1.6 million viewers overall (7.4 million to 9.0 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Wednesday

NBC won the night in every key measure among the Big 4 networks, taking six of six half-hours among those nets in both 18-49 and total viewers.

The season finale of "America's Got Talent" (2.8/10 in 18-49, 14.4 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) jumped +33% versus its year-ago finale in 18-49 (2.8 vs. 2.1 from 9-11 p.m. on Sept. 16, 2015) and +49% or +4.7 million persons in total viewers (14.4 million vs. 9.7 million), making this the top "Talent" finale in five years in 18-49 (since a 3.6 on Sept. 14, 2011) and biggest finale in total viewers in six years (since 16.4 million on Sept. 15, 2010). Excluding sports, it was NBC's best total-viewer average in the time period in six years (since the 2010 finale) and highest 18-49 rating in nearly four years (since Nov. 7, 2012, 3.8 with "The Voice"). Versus the prior Wednesday, "Talent" grew +40% in 18-49 (2.8 vs. 2.0) and +36% in total viewers (14.4 million vs. 10.6 million). L+3: "Talent" increased by +13% in 18-49 (2.77 to 3.12) and +1.3 million viewers overall (14.4 million to 15.7 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: Wednesday's "America's Got Talent" has increased by +32% this summer in 18-49 rating (from a 2.14 to a 2.82) and 2.3 million viewers overall (10.7 million to 13.0 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

In its 11thseason, "America's Got Talent" delivered its top-rated season in 18-49 in three years (3.0 Tues-Wed editions combined, "most current," best since 2013, 3.1) and its most-watched season in five years (13.5 million, best since 2011, 13.6 million). This year's cycle grew by +11% versus the 2015 edition (3.0 vs. 2.7) and was up +13% or 1.5 million persons in total viewers (13.5 million vs. 12.0 million).[[["Talent" finished #1 among all primetime entertainment programs on the Big 4 networks every week it aired this summer in both adults 18-49 and total viewers and has ranked as the summer's #1 alternative series in total viewers for all of its 11 years on the NBC schedule.

A special 10 p.m. season-two debut of "Blindspot" (1.5/6 in 18-49, 7.1 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) generated strong sampling, growing +21% or 1.2 million persons versus last May's season finale in total viewers (7.1 million vs. 5.9 million from 10:01-11 p.m. on Monday, May 23), to deliver the show's most-watched episode since Nov. 16, 2015 (7.7 million). In 18-49, "Blindspot" increased +15% from its season finale (1.5 vs. 1.3), to score the show's highest rating since March 28 (1.6). This special 10 p.m. telecast equaled NBC's best 18-49 rating in the slot since Feb. 24, excluding Olympics, and biggest overall audience excluding Olympics since March 2 (7.2 million). "Blindspot" won the time period among ABC, CBS and NBC in every key measure. L+3: "Blindspot" grew by +51% in 18-49 (1.54 to 2.33) and +2.9 million viewers overall (7.1 million to 10.0 million) going from L+SD to L+3. The 18-49 gain of +0.79 was the biggest for any Big 4 Wednesday telecast since the "SVU" season finale on May 25 (+0.81) and the total-viewer lift of +2.9 million is the biggest for any Wednesday show on those nets since the "Empire" season finale on May 18 (+3.5 million). L+7: Last season, "Blindspot" grew by +82% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.84 to a 3.34) and 4.8 million viewers overall (6.9 million to 11.7 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Thursday

Four consecutive encore telecasts of "Superstore" (0.8/3 in 18-49, 3.2 million viewers overall at 8 p.m. ET; 0.8/3 in 18-49, 2.7 million viewers at 8:30 ET; 0.8/3 in 18-49, 2.7 million viewers overall at 9 p.m.; and 0.8/3 in 18-49, 2.7 million viewers overall at 9:30) each tied as the top-rated non-sports show of the night on the Big 4 in 18-49, maintaining their 0.8 rating in 18-49 through all four half-hours. L+7: Last season, "Superstore" grew by +31% in L+7 vs. L+SD in 18-49 rating (from a 1.57 to a 2.06) and by 1.1 million viewers overall (5.5 million to 6.6 million). Non-Linear Viewership: Last season "Superstore" averaged an additional 1.93 rating in 18-49 on non-linear digital platforms, making it NBC's highest rated show on a non-linear basis.

A rebroadcast of "Chicago Med" (0.7/2 in 18-49, 3.1 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) ranked #2 in the time period among ABC, CBS and NBC ahead of ABC's encore "How to Get Away With Murder" in every key measure. Despite the 10 p.m. hour, "Med" maintained or increased its rating half-hour to half-hour in all key categories.

Friday

NBC tied for the nightlong win among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54.

An encore telecast of "American Ninja Warrior" (0.8/4 in 18-49, 3.1 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) ranked #2 in the time period among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and scored NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the time period, excluding Olympics, since July 22 (0.8). For its second hour from 9-10 p.m., the "Ninja" encore ranked #1 or tied for #1 among those nets in every key demo.

"Dateline NBC" (0.9/4 in 18-49, 1.2 in adults 25-54, 3.8 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) won the time period among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 and ranked #1 or tied for #1 in every key demo. L+3: The previous Friday's "Dateline NBC" delivered the biggest L+3 lifts of the night on the Big 4 networks, growing by +28% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.20 to a 1.53) and 1.2 million viewers overall (6.3 million to 7.5 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: Friday's "Dateline NBC" has grown by +32% this season in 18-49 rating (from a 0.99 to a 1.31) and more than 1.1 million viewers overall (4.7 million to 5.9 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Saturday

NBC Sports coverage of NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL featuring Michigan State at Notre Dame (1.4 rating in 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall from 7:30-11:20 p.m. ET) ranked #2 for the night among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in adults 18-49 and total viewers. It's the most-watched Notre Dame Game on NBC since Nov. 3, 2012 (6.0 million for Pittsburgh-Notre Dame).

Sunday

NBC Sports coverage of Green Bay Packers-Minnesota VIKINGS "Sunday Night Football" (8.2/26 in 18-49, 22.8 million viewers overall from 8:33-11:43 p.m. ET) won the night in all key ratings measures. NBC's 22.8 million TV-only viewers was up +2% from Week 2 in 2014 (Bears-49ers, 22.3 million), which featured the opening of the 49ers' Levi's Stadium. With 202,000 viewers added through live streams via NBC Sports app, NBCSports.com and NFL Mobile from Verizon, NBC's Packers-Vikings game averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 23.0 million viewers across NBC & NBC Sports Digital.

Through Week 2, NBC has a three-game NFL Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 23.9 million viewers. NBC Sports Digital has registered its three best streaming events with its three NFL games so far this season (excluding the SUPER BOWL and the Olympics).

WEEKLY AVERAGES

Average rating, share and audience in each category

ADULTS 18-49

NBC 2.4/9, 3.1 million

CBS 1.9/7, 2.4 million

ABC 1.1/4, 1.5 million

FOX 0.9/3, 1.1 million

CW 0.3/1, 0.4 million

Each rating point equals 1.28 million viewers

ADULTS 25-54

NBC 2.9/9, 3.5 million

CBS 2.4/7, 2.9 million

ABC 1.4/5, 1.7 million

FOX 1.0/3, 1.2 million

CW 0.3/1, 0.4 million

Each rating point equals 1.20 million viewers

TOTAL VIEWERS

NBC 2.9/9, 8.7million

CBS 2.5/8, 7.6 million

ABC 1.7/5, 5.1 million

FOX 0.9/3, 2.8 million

CW 0.3/1, 1.0 million

Each rating point equals 3.02 million viewers

2015-16 52-WEEK SEASON

Average rating, share and audience in each category

ADULTS 18-49

NBC 2.2/8, 2.8 million

CBS 1.9/7, 2.4 million

ABC 1.7/6, 2.2 million

FOX 1.6/6, 2.0 million

CW 0.6/2, 0.8 million

Each rating point equals 1.27 million viewers

ADULTS 25-54

NBC 2.8/8, 3.4 million

CBS 2.5/7, 3.0 million

ABC 2.1/6, 2.5 million

FOX 1.9/6, 2.2 million

CW 0.7/2, 0.9 million

Each rating point equals 1.20 million viewers

TOTAL VIEWERS

CBS 3.1/9, 9.1 million

NBC 2.8/8, 8.5 million

ABC 2.1/6, 6.4 million

FOX 1.6/5, 4.8 million

CW 0.6/2, 1.7 million

Each rating point equals 2.95 million viewers

Image courtesy of NBC.

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