NBC Wins Ratings Week Among Big 4 in Total Viewers

NBC has won the Primetime week of July 28-Aug. 3 among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and total viewers, with the NFL Hall of Fame Game and "America's Got Talent" accounting for the #1 and #2 ratings of the week on the Big 4 networks in 18-49 and the week's top three scores in total viewers.

Also ranking in the Primetime top 30 last week were "American Ninja Warrior," "Dateline NBC," "Running Wild with Bear Grylls," "Food Fighters," "Dateline NBC" and "Last Comic Standing." NBC averaged a 1.4 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49 and 5.4 million viewers overall for the week, according to "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

This marks the 11thweek in a row NBC has ranked #1 or tied for #1 in adults 18-49 among the Big 4 nets excluding networks boosted by the major sporting events the NBA Finals and the Baseball All-Star Game. In total viewers, this is NBC's first weeklong win since the week of Feb. 17-23 during the Sochi Olympics.

NBC won the week among the Big 4 in every key ratings measure - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, plus total viewers - including a tie with ABC in women 25-54.

Sunday's NBC Sports coverage of the Giants-Bills Hall of Fame Game ranked #1 for the week among Primetime telecasts on ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in adults 18-49, while the Tuesday "Talent" finished #2, Wednesday's "Talent" tied for #4, Monday's "American Ninja Warrior" tied for #8, Monday's premiere of "Running Wild with Bear Grylls" ranked #14, Tuesday's "Food Fighters" finished #15, Friday's "Dateline NBC" and Wednesday's "Talent" encore tied for #16 and Thursday's "Last Comic Standing" tied for #22. Rankings exclude sports pre- and post-game shows.

The Giants-Bills NFL game was also #1 for the week on the Big 4 in adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and all key adult-male demos, while "Talent" was #1 in total viewers, kids 2-11 and teens 12-17. In adults 18-34, "Ninja Warrior" was #2 and the #1 non-sports telecast on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox

Through 45 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).

NBC's 2.4 rating in adults 18-49 matches the network's top average at this point in the season in four years (since a 2.5 in 2009-10).

Versus one year ago, NBC is up +9% for the broadcast year to date in adults 18-49 (2.4 vs. 2.2).

In total viewers, NBC ranks #2 for the broadcast year with an average of 8.4 million viewers, which is its biggest overall audience 45 weeks into the season in eight years (since 2005-06, 9.0 million). Versus one year ago, NBC is up +26% season to date in total viewers (8.4 million vs. 6.7 million). It's the first time NBC has ranked #2 in total viewers at this point in the season in 10 years.

Primetime averages for the week of July 28-Aug. 3 in adults 18-49 are: NBC, 1.4/5; ABC, 1.1/4; CBS, 1.0/4; Fox, 0.8/3; and CW, 0.3/1. In overall total viewers, the weekly averages were: NBC, 5.4 million; CBS, 5.3 million; ABC, 4.5 million; Fox, 2.3 million; and CW, 0.8 million.

Season-to-date averages are: NBC, 2.4/8; Fox, 2.2/7; CBS, 2.1/6; ABC, 2.0/6; and CW, 0.7/2. In overall total viewers, the season averages are: CBS, 9.6 million; NBC, 8.4 million; ABC, 7.1 million; Fox, 6.5 million; and CW, 1.7 million.

NBC highlights for the week of July 28-Aug. 3:

Monday: NBC won Monday night in adults 18-49, as "American Ninja Warrior" matched its highest rating in more than two years and tied for the #1 rating of the night in 18-49, while "Running Wild with Bear Grylls" retained 93% of the prior Monday's premiere rating.

"Running Wild with Bear Grylls" (1.3 rating, 5 share in 18-49, 4.0 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) retained 93% of last week's debut 1.4 rating in 18-49 and 90% of last week's 4.4 million viewers overall. The 1.3 rating tied for the best week-two rating among the six new reality shows on the Big 4 so far this summer that have run at least two weeks (tied with NBC's "Food Fighters").

"American Ninja Warrior" (2.0/6 in 18-49, 5.6 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) tied its highest 18-49 rating in more than two years (since the 2012 season finale on June 4, 2012). "American Ninja Warrior" won the two-hour time period among the Big 4in all key demos (adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54). "Ninja Warrior" tied Fox's "MasterChef" for #1 rating of the night in adults 18-49 (2.0 each). From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Ninja Warrior" grew by +24% in adults 18-49 (to a 2.1 from a 1.7) and was up +32% in adults 25-54 (2.5 vs. 1.9). The 2.0 rating in 18-49 is up +43% versus an 8-9 p.m. "Ninja" telecast on the same night last year (1.4 on Aug. 5, 2013). In total viewers, "Ninja Warrior" grew versus that year-ago telecast by +12% (5.6 million vs. 5.0 million).

Tuesday: NBC won Tuesday night among the Big 4 in 18-49, total viewers and all other key measures with the #1 and #2 shows of the night in 18-49, "America's Got Talent" and "Food Fighters." NBC led six of six half-hours among the Big 4 in 18-49 (including a tie from 8-8:30).

"Food Fighters" (1.3/5 in 18-49, 4.7 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) grew +30% versus the prior week's premiere in 18-49 (to a 1.3 from a 1.0), which is the highest percentage increase from first to second telecast among all original series, new or returning, on the Big 4 so far this summer in 18-49. The 0.3 increase from week 1 to week 2 is the largest regularly scheduled week-one to week-two gain in adult 18-49 rating point for any new Big 4 series in over two years. "Food Fighters" beat the 1.2 of the second episode of "Rising Star" for the top week-two result among the five new reality shows on the Big 4 so far this summer that have run at least two weeks.

"Food Fighters" won the time period among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key demos, and grew from its first half-hour to its second in every key category, including a gain of +27% in adults 18-49 (to a 1.4 from a 1.1).

"America's Got Talent" (2.4/8 in 18-49, 10.6 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) is the #1 show of the night on the Big 4 networks in every key measure. "Talent" equaled the prior week's rating in 18-49 and was up versus two weeks earlier by +20% (2.4 vs. 2.0 from 8-10 p.m. on July 15) In total viewers, "Talent" grew for a second week in a row. "America's Got Talent" won the 9-11 p.m. slot among the Big 4 in every key measure, delivering a +118% margin of victory versus the #2 network among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX (with a 2.4 rating vs. a 1.1 for ABC). In total viewers, "Talent" nearly doubled the #2 network (10.6 million vs. 5.4 million for CBS).

Wednesday: NBC tied for #1 for the night among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in adults 18-49 and won the night outright among those nets in total viewers.

"Taxi Brooklyn" (1.0/4 in 18-49, 5.2 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) finished within a tenth of a point of CBS's "Extant" for #1 in the time period among ABC, CBS and NBC in 18-49 and led The Hour among those nets in adults, men and women 18-34. "Taxi Brooklyn" matched its series high in 18-49 in its sixth week on the schedule, equaling its rating of the prior week and growing by +25% versus its rating of two weeks earlier (1.0 vs. 0.8).

"America's Got Talent" (2.2/7 in 18-49, 10.8 million viewers overall from 9-10:01 p.m. ET) dominated the time period among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, doubling its closest Big 4 rival in the time period in 18-49 (with a 2.2 rating vs. a 1.1 for CBS's "Criminal Minds" encore and Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" original). "Talent" won the slot in every key measure among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. The 9 p.m. original of "America's Got Talent" was the #1 show of the night on the Big 4 in total viewers.

An encore telecast of "America's Got Talent" (1.2/5 in 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) ranked #2 in the time slot among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key categories.

Thursday: An encore telecast of "Hollywood Game Night" (1.0/4 in 18-49, 3.9 million viewers overall from 8-9:01 p.m. ET) ranked #2 in the slot among the Big 4 nets in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and total viewers, outrating ABC's debut of "The Quest" in each of those categories. The "Hollywood Game Night" rebroadcast grew from half-hour to half-hour by +22% in 18-49 (to a 1.1 from a 0.9).

"Welcome to Sweden" averaged a 0.7/2 in 18-49 and 2.5 million viewers overall from 9:01-9:30 p.m. ET. "Working the Engels" (0.6/2 in 18-49, 1.9 million viewers overall from 9:30-10 p.m. ET) maintained its rating of the prior two weeks and retained a best-yet 86% of its lead-in from "Welcome to Sweden."

"Last Comic Standing" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 3.3 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) matched a six-week high in 18-49 rating (best since a 1.4 on June 19) and remained undefeated in the time period through 11 telecasts versus all ABC and CBS competition except for the NBA Finals. This week's "Last Comic" grew from half-hour to half-hour in nearly all key measures, despite the 10 p.m. hour, growing by +10% in 18-49 (to a 1.1 from a 1.0) and +12% in total viewers (3.5 million vs. 3.2 million).

Friday: An encore telecast of Monday's "Running Wild with Bear Grylls" averaged a 0.6/3 in 18-49 and 2.4 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET.

"Dateline NBC" (1.2/5 in 18-49, 5.9 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) tied as the #1 show of the night on ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in adults 18-49 (tied with ABC'S 10 p.m. telecast of "20/20," 1.2 rating each) and was #1 outright among those nets in adults 25-54 (1.6). "Dateline" won the time period among the Big 4 in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and total viewers. "Dateline" equaled the show's top Friday result since May 30 in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54, growing versus the prior week's 8-10:01 p.m. rating by +9% in 18-49 (1.2 vs. 1.1) and by +7% in 25-54 (1.6 vs. 1.5).

The NBC News Special "Hannah Anderson: Anatomy of a Kidnapping" (1.0/4 in 18-49, 4.5 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) reported seven-week highs for NBC in the slot in 18-49, 25-54 (1.3) and total viewers (best since Stanley Cup hockey coverage on June 13).

Saturday: Encore telecasts of "Crossbones" delivered a 0.2/1 in 18-49 and 1.4 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET and a 0.2/1 in 18-49 and 1.5 million viewers overall from 9-10. A rebroadcast of "Law & Order: SVU" averaged a 0.3/1 in 18-49 and 1.5 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET.

Sunday: "WrestleMania 30: The World Television Premiere" (0.8/3 in 18-49, 2.5 million viewers overall from 7-8 p.m. ET) grew versus last year's Saturday "WrestleMania 29" telecast by 0.2 of a point or +33% in adults 18-49 (to a 0.8 rating from a 0.6 from 9-10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013) and by +35% in total viewers (2.5 million vs.1.9 million). From its first half-hour to its second, "WrestleMania 30" grew in every key ratings measure, including gains of +29% in adults 18-49 (to a 0.9 rating from a 0.7), +38% in adults 25-54 (1.1 vs. 0.8) and +100% in adults 18-34 (0.8 vs. 0.4).

NBC Sports coverage of the NFL Hall of Fame Game between the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills (2.8/10 in 18-49, 8.5 million viewers overall from 8:10-11 p.m. ET) won the time period among the Big 4 networks in every key ratings measure and was the #1 show of the night in adults 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, total viewers and all key adult-male demos.

The Giants-Bills Hall of Fame Game led NBC to the nightlong victory among the Big 4 in every key ratings measure - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, plus total viewers..

WEEKLY AVERAGES
Average rating, share and audience in each category

ADULTS 18-49

NBC 1.4/5, 1.8 million

ABC 1.1/4, 1.4 million

CBS 1.0/4, 1.3 million

Fox 0.8/3, 1.1 million

CW 0.3/1, 0.3 million

Each rating point equals 1.27 million viewers

ADULTS 25-54

NBC 1.8/5, 2.1 million

CBS 1.4/4, 1.7 million

ABC 1.4/4, 1.7 million

Fox 1.0/3, 1.1 million

CW 0.3/1, 0.4 million

Each rating point equals 1.20 million viewers

TOTAL VIEWERS

NBC 1.8/6, 5.4 million

NBC 1.8/5, 5.3 million

ABC 1.5/5, 4.5 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 2.4/8, 3.1 million

Fox 2.2/7, 2.8 million

CBS 2.1/6, 2.7 million

ABC 2.0/6, 2.5 million

CW 0.7/2, 0.9 million

Each rating point equals 1.27 million viewers

ADULTS 25-54

NBC 3.0/8, 3.6 million

CBS 2.8/8, 3.4 million

Fox 2.6/7, 3.1 million

ABC 2.4/7, 2.9 million

CW 0.7/2, 0.9 million

Each rating point equals 1.20 million viewers

TOTAL VIEWERS

CBS 3.3/9, 9.6 million

NBC 2.9/8, 8.4 million

ABC 2.4/6, 7.1 million

Fox 2.2/6, 6.5 million

CW 0.6/2, 1.7 million

Each rating point equals 2.89 million viewers

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