NBC Wins Primetime Week in Viewers and Key Demo

By: Nov. 18, 2014
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NBC has won the primetime ratings week of Nov. 10-16 in adults 18-49 and total viewers, marking the network's sixth weeklong win in eight weeks so far this fall and first victory in total viewers. According to "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, NBC averaged a 2.5 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49 and 9.1 million viewers overall for the week.

This is NBC's first total-viewer win during a sweep week, excluding Olympics, in 10 years (since the week of May 3-9, 2004, the week of the "Friends" finale, excludes partial sweep weeks), and first for a full November sweep week in 12 years (since the week of Nov. 11-17, 2002).

NBC ranked #1 among the Big 4 networks for the Nov. 10-16 week in every key measure - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, plus total viewers (including a tie with ABC in women 18-34).

NBC's "Sunday Night Football" ranked #1 among Big 4 primetime programs for the week in adults 18-49, total viewers, adults 25-54, adults 18-34, all key adult-male demos, women 18-49, kids 2-11 and teens 12-17.

Joining "Sunday Night Football" among the week's top 25 primetime shows on ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in 18-49 were Monday's "The Voice" (tied for #3), Tuesday's "Voice" (tied for #6), Monday's "The Blacklist" (tied for #11), Wednesday's "Voice" special (tied for #11), Wednesday's "Law & Order: SVU" (tied for #14), Tuesday's "Chicago Fire" (tied for #20) and Wednesday's "Chicago P.D." (tied for #20). Rankings exclude sports pre- and post-game shows.

The three NBC dramas that participated in a triple crossover last week -- "Chicago Fire," "Law & Order: SVU" and "Chicago P.D." - all generated series-record increases going from "live plus same day" ratings to "live plus three day" ratings in both adults 18-49 and total viewers:

Tuesday's "Chicago Fire" grew by series-record 1.13 rating points in 18-49 (from a 2.23 to a 3.36 at 10 p.m. ET) and a series-record 3.4 million viewers overall (9.1 million vs. 12.5 million) going from "live plus same day" to "live plus three day results." The 12.5 million viewers overall is an L+3 series record for "Chicago Fire." .
"Law & Order: SVU" increased by +52% or a series-record 1.24 rating points in 18-49 (from a 2.37 to a 3.61 at 9 p.m. ET) and a series-record 3.1 million viewers overall (10.0 million to. 13.1 million) going from L+SD to L+3. It was the top "SVU" L+3 rating in 18-49 in four years (since the Sept. 22, 2010 season premiere, 3.76) and the show's biggest L+3 overall audience in six years (since April 29, 2008, 13.243 million).
"Chicago P.D." grew by +51% or a series-record 1.12 rating points in 18-49 (from a 2.19 to a 3.31 at 10 p.m. ET) and by a series-record 3.2 million viewers overall (9.5 million to. 12.7 million) going from L+SD to L+3 results. The 3.31 rating in 18-49 and 12.7 million viewers overall are L+3 series records for "Chicago P.D."
For the season, NBC ranks #1 among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and is also #1 or tied for #1 among those networks in adults 18-34, men 18-34, men 18-49, adults 25-54 and women 25-54.

In total viewers, NBC is #2 for the season, and up 0.5% versus its year-ago average (9.743 million vs. 9.696 million), for NBC's top total-viewer average at this point in the season in eight years (since 2006, 10.2 million). This season and last mark the first two times NBC has ranked as high as #2 in total viewers at this point in the season since 2004.

Primetime averages for the week of Nov. 10-16 in adults 18-49 are: NBC, 2.5/8; ABC, 2.0/6; Fox, 1.6/5; CBS, 1.5/5; and CW, 0.7/2. In overall total viewers, the weekly averages were: NBC, 9.1 million; CBS, 8.6 million; ABC, 7.6 million; Fox, 4.5 million; and CW, 1.8 million.

"Most current" averages for the season to date are: NBC, 2.9/9; CBS, 2.6/8; ABC, 2.5/8; Fox, 2.2/7; and CW, 0.8/3. In overall total viewers, the season averages are: CBS, 12.1 million; NBC, 9.7 million; ABC, 9.1 million; Fox, 6.7 million; and CW, 2.1 million.

NBC highlights for the week of Nov. 10-16:

Monday: NBC won Monday among the Big 4 with the #1 and #2 shows of the night in adults 18-49, "The Voice" and "Blacklist," which led six of six half-hours among those networks. NBC won the night among the Big 4 by a +58% margin (with a 3.0 rating vs. a 1.9 for ABC and Fox).

"The Voice" (3.2/9 in 18-49, 11.5 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) grew +7% versus the comparable telecast in the spring (3.0/9 in 18-49 for the first live episode of "The Voice 6" on April 21). "The Voice" retained 91% of the prior week's 18-49 rating (3.2 vs. 3.5), up from a comparable week-to-week retention of 88% for the show's first live episode in the spring (3.0 on April 21 vs. 3.4 on April 14) and 84% last fall (3.6 on Nov. 4 vs. 4.3 on Oct. 28).

"Live Plus Three Day" Ratings: "The Voice" grew by +23% in 18-49 (from a 3.25 rating to a 3.98) and 1.9 million viewers overall (from 11.5 million to 13.4 million) going from "live plus same day" rating to L+3. "Live Plus Seven Day" Ratings: Through season's first six weeks, first-run editions of Monday's "Voice" have grown in L+7 vs. L+SD by +26% in 18-49 rating (from a 3.83 to a 4.83) and more than 2.4 million viewers overall (12.7 million to 15.2 million).

"The Blacklist" (2.5/8 in 18-49, 9.8 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) grew +4% week to week in 18-49 (2.5 vs. 2.4) and +5% in total viewers (9.8 million vs. 9.3 million), to match its top 18-49 rating since Oct. 13 and deliver its biggest overall audience since that same date. In the time period, "The Blacklist" ranked #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in every key measure.

L+3: "The Blacklist" hit a four-week high in L+3 18-49 (4.15, best since Oct. 13, 4.23) and a five-week high in total viewers (14.9 million, best since Oct. 6, 15.1 million), growing by +66% in 18-49 (from a 2.50 rating to a 4.15) and 5.1 million viewers overall (from 9.8 million to 14.9 million) going from L+SD to L+3. "The Blacklist" was the #1 drama of the night in L+SD (2.50) and L+3 adults 18-49 (4.15), as well as 18-49 ratings lift from L+SD to L+3 (+1.65) and percentage lift (+66%), plus L+3 total viewers (14.887 million), overall viewer lift (+5.1 million) and total-viewer percentage lift (+53%). "The Blacklist" was also Monday night's #1 telecast on the Big 4 in L+3 total viewers. Additionally, the prior week's increase of 5.4 million viewers in L+3 was the biggest gain for any program on cable or broadcast for that week.

L+7: So far this season, "Blacklist" originals have grown by +71% in 18-49 rating (from a 2.77 to a 4.73) and 6.3 million viewers (10.3 million to 16.6 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Tuesday: NBC won the night among the Big 4 in adults 18-49, convincingly leading six of six primetime half-hours.

"The Voice" (3.0/9 in 18-49, 11.4 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) ranked as the #1 show of the night on the Big 4 in 18-49, up +7% versus the comparable telecast in the spring (2.8 on April 22). "The Voice" grew by +3% in 18-49 and 1% in total viewers versus the show's prior Tuesday original, marking the first time with the current Monday-Tuesday "Voice" format that a first Tuesday live telecast has topped the prior Tuesday original.

L+3: "The Voice" grew by +20% in 18-49 (from a 3.01 to a 3.61) and 1.4 million viewers overall (11.4 million to 12.8 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: Tuesday's "Voice" is growing by an average +26% in 18-49 rating (from a 3.73 to a 4.69) and 2.4 million viewers overall (12.8 million to 15.2 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

"Chicago Fire" (2.2/7 in 18-49, 9.1 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) jumped +29% versus its prior telecast (2.2 vs. 1.7 on Oct. 28) to the show's top rating since Sept. 30 (2.3). This first episode of a three-way crossover with Wednesday's "Law & Order: SVU" and "Chicago P.D." won the slot among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 by a +69% margin (2.2 vs. 1.3 for CBS's #2 "Person of Interest"). In total viewers, "Chicago Fire" grew versus its prior telecast by +25% (9.1 million vs. 7.2 million on Oct. 28) to capture the show's #3 biggest audience ever and biggest since the season premiere on Sept. 23 (9.2 million).

L+7: "Chicago Fire" first-runs have increased by an average +52% in 18-49 rating (from a 2.10 to a 3.19) and 3.5 million viewers overall (8.0 million vs. 11.5 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Wednesday: NBC ranked #1 Wednesday night in adults 18-49 and total viewers for its fourth nightlong win in a row among the Big 4 networks in 18-49, marking the first time any network has won four nights in a row since Dec. 1-6, 2013, when NBC won six in a row, including a tie.

In total viewers, it was NBC's most-watched in-season Wednesday, excluding Olympics, in more than six years (since April 23, 2008, 10.9 million with "Deal or No Deal" and "Law & Order").

"The Voice" (2.5/8 in 18-49, 10.6 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) won THE HOUR among the Big 4 networks in 18-49 and total viewers and was the #1 show of the night in total viewers. "The Voice" delivered NBC's top in-season rating in the slot, excluding Olympics, since May 8, 2013 (2.8 with "Voice") and biggest in-season audience, excluding Olympics, since Feb. 13, 2008 (11.1 million with "Deal or No Deal").

L+3: Wednesday's "Voice" grew by +20% in 18-49 (from a 3.01 to a 3.61 from 8-10 p.m.) and 1.4 million viewers overall (11.4 million to 12.8 million) going from L+SD to L+3.

"Law & Order: SVU" (2.4/7 in 18-49, 10.0 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) grew week to week by +50% in 18-49 rating (2.4 vs. 1.6) and +43% in total viewers (10.0 million vs. 7.0 million). In adults 18-49, "Law & Order" ranked #2 in the time period, beating an original of CBS's "Criminal Minds" (2.3) head to head for the first time. "Law & Order: SVU" hit a season high in adults 18-49, capturing its top rating since the Fall 2013 two-hour season premiere (2.7 from 9-11 p.m. on Sept. 25, 2013).

L+7: Through the season's first six weeks, "SVU" originals were increasing by an average of +65% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.79 a 2.95) and more than 2.8 million viewers overall (8.0 million to 10.8 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

"Chicago P.D." (2.2/7 in 18-49, 9.5 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) tied its series record in 18-49 (with a 2.2 rating, previously achieved on Feb. 26, 2013 with a prior "SVU" crossover). In total viewers, it was a new series record, topping the prior high set with the show's series debut on Jan. 8, 2013 (8.6 million). Week to week, "Chicago P.D." grew by +57% in 18-49 (2.2 vs. 1.4) and +55% in total viewers (9.5 million vs. 6.1 million). "Chicago P.D." took the time period among ABC, CBS and NBC in 18-49, total viewers and all other key measures, marking the first time this season it's won the slot among those nets in 18-49.

L+7: "Chicago P.D." originals are growing by an average +65% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.61 to a 2.65) and 3.2 million viewers overall (7.1 million to 10.3 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Thursday: "The Biggest Loser" (1.2/4 in 18-49, 4.5 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) retained 100% of the prior week's adult 18-49 rating to equal its top result since Oct. 16. In total viewers, this "Biggest Loser" hit a three-week high (best since Oct. 23, 4.6 million).

L+3: The prior week's "Biggest Loser" on Nov. 6 grew by +27% in 18-49 (from a 1.17 to a 1.49) and 877,000 viewers overall (from 4.3 million to 5.2 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: "The Biggest Loser" first-runs are increasing by an average +36% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.33 to a 1.81) and 1.1 million viewers overall (4.7 million to 5.8 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

"Bad Judge" (0.9/3 in 18-49, 3.7 million viewers overall from 9-9:30 p.m. ET) matched its 18-49 rating of the prior two weeks.

L+3: The previous week's "Bad Judge" on Nov. 6 grew by +34% in 18-49 (from a 0.87 to a 1.17) and 816,000 viewers overall (from 3.7 million to 4.5 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: "Bad Judge" originals are growing by an average +43% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.14 to a 1.63) and 1.3 million viewers overall (4.8 million to 6.1 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

"A-to-Z" averaged a 0.6/2 in 18-49 and 2.4 million viewers overall from 9:30-10 p.m. ET.

L+3: The prior week's "A-to-Z" on Nov. 6 increased by +34% in 18-49 (from a 0.77 to a 1.03 and 494,000 viewers overall (from 2.7 million to 3.2 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: "A-to-Z" first-runs are increasing by an average +36% in 18-49 rating (from a 0.97 to a 1.32) and 762,000 viewers overall (3.5 million to 4.2 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

"Parenthood" (1.0/3 in 18-49, 3.6 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) grew by +10% from half-hour to half-hour (from a 1.0 to a 1.1), despite the 10 p.m. hour and was up half-hour to half-hour in nearly every key measure. In the time period, "Parenthood" tied CBS's "Elementary" in adults 18-49, at least equaling "Elementary" for a second week in a row and just the second time in their 20 head-to-head airings with both shows in original.

L+3: The previous week's "Parenthood" on Nov. 6 grew by +58% in 18-49 (from a 1.26 to a 1.99) and 1.9 million viewers overall (from 4.0 million to 5.9 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: "Parenthood" originals are growing by an average +83% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.26 to a 2.31) and 2.5 million viewers overall (4.2 million to 6.7 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Upscale: "Parenthood" is the #1 most upscale primetime series on the Big 4 networks in, indexing at a 167 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes ("most current" L+3 results through the opening six weeks of the season, 100 represents an average concentration of those homes).

Friday: "Dateline NBC" (1.5/5 in 18-49, 8.0 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) won the time period among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and total viewers. "Dateline" reported the network's highest 18-49 rating in THE HOUR in seven months (since March 7, 1.5) and equaled NBC's non-sports / non-Olympic high in the slot in four years (since Oct. 8, 2010, 1.6, "Dateline NBC"). In total viewers, "Dateline" delivered NBC's biggest overall audience in the slot, excluding sports and Olympics, in five years (since Dec. 11, 2009, 8.8 million, "Law & Order")

L+3: The prior week's Friday "Dateline NBC" on Nov. 7 grew by +15% in 18-49 (from a 1.39 to a 1.60) and 707,000 viewers overall (7.9 million to 8.6 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: Friday's "Dateline" is increasing by an average of +23% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.21 to a 1.49) and 877,000 viewers overall (6.0 million to 6.9 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

"Grimm" (1.2/4 in 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) grew +2% in total viewers week to week (5.0 million vs. 4.9 million) to hit a three-week high (best since the series debut on Oct. 24 averaged 5.3 million).

L+3: The prior week's "Grimm" on Nov. 7 increased by +68% in 18-49 (from a 1.31 to a 2.20) and 2.4 million viewers overall (4.9 million to 7.3 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: "Grimm" first-runs are growing by an average of +78% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.29 to a 2.29) and 2.8 million viewers overall (4.9 million to 7.6 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

"Constantine" (0.8/3 in 18-49, 3.5 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) achieved a three-week high in total viewers (best since the series debut on Oct. 24 averaged 4.3 million), with week-to-week growth of +10% (3.5 million vs. 3.1 million). In adults 18-34 (0.5) and adults 25-54 (1.2), "Constantine" maintained 100% of the prior week's rating.

L+3: The previous week's "Constantine" on Nov. 7 grew by +65% in 18-49 (from a 0.98 to a 1.62) and more than 1.5 million viewers overall (3.1 million vs. 4.7 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: "Constantine" originals are increasing by an average of +68% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.15 to a 1.93) and 2.1 million viewers overall (3.7 million to 5.8 million) going from L+SD to L+7. .

Saturday: "Dateline Saturday Night Mystery" (0.7/2 in 18-49, 4.4 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) captured NBC's top 18-49 rating in the time period in six weeks (since a "Voice" encore scored a 0.7 on Oct. 4) and biggest overall audience in 10 weeks (since Sept. 6, 4.8 million from 8-10 p.m. for Michigan-Notre Dame football).

"SNL Vintage" (0.8/3 in 18-49, 3.0 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET with an encore of a Feb. 3, 2007 telecast of "Saturday Night Live" hosted by Drew Barrymore and featuring musical guest Lily Allen) matched the show's top 18-49 rating since the "SNL Vintage" debut on Sept. 27

Sunday: NBC Sports' "Sunday Night Football" (7.1/19 in 18-49, 20.8 million viewers overall from 8:31-11:13 p.m. ET), featuring the New England Patriots at the Indianapolis Colts, led NBC to nightlong wins among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in every key measure - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, plus total viewers. The 20.8 million viewers makes it the third most watched week 11 matchup in the nine seasons NBC has carried "Sunday Night Football."

For the night (from 7:30-11 p.m. ET), NBC led among the Big 4 by an +76% margin over #2 FOX in nightlong 18-49 averages (with a 6.0 rating from 7:30-11 p.m. for NBC vs. a 3.4 from 7-10 for Fox) and by +61% in total viewers (17.8 million vs. 11.1 million for CBS).

WEEKLY AVERAGES
Average rating, share and audience in each category

ADULTS 18-49

NBC 2.5/8, 3.2 million

ABC 2.0/6, 2.5 million

Fox 1.6/5, 2.0 million

CBS 1.5/5, 1.9 million

CW 0.7/2, 0.9 million

Each rating point equals 1.27 million viewers

ADULTS 25-54

NBC 3.2/8, 3.8 million

ABC 2.5/7, 3.0 million

CBS 2.2/6, 2.7 million

Fox 1.8/5, 2.2 million

CW 0.7/2, 0.8 million

Each rating point equals 1.20 million viewers

TOTAL VIEWERS

NBC 3.1/8, 9.1 million

CBS 2.9/8, 8.6 million

ABC 2.6/7, 7.6 million

Fox 1.5/4, 4.5 million

CW 0.6/2, 1.8 million

Each rating point equals 2.95 million viewers

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

ADULTS 18-49

NBC 2.9/9, 3.7 million

CBS 2.6/8, 3.3 million

ABC 2.5/8, 3.2 million

Fox 2.2/7, 2.8 million

CW 0.8/3, 1.0 million

Each rating point equals 1.27 million viewers

ADULTS 25-54

CBS 3.6/10, 4.3 million

NBC 3.6/10, 4.3 million

ABC 3.1/8, 3.7 million

Fox 2.6/7, 3.1 million

CW 0.9/2, 1.1 million

Each rating point equals 1.20 million viewers

TOTAL VIEWERS

CBS 4.1/11, 12.1 million

NBC 3.3/9, 9.7 million

ABC 3.1/8, 9.1 million

Fox 2.3/6, 6.7 million

CW 0.7/2, 2.1 million

Each rating point equals 2.95 million viewers



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