NBC has finished #2 for the ratings week of Dec. 15-21 in adults 18-49, with its deficit to #1 CBS accounted for by NFL Network viewers for a Saturday game that CBS was able to count in its averages for the week.
According to "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research,
NBC averaged a 2.0 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49 and 7.9 million viewers overall for the week.
CBS averaged a 2.2 rating for the week in 18-49 but rounds to a 1.9 when Saturday
NFL Network viewers are not counted in its averages for the week.
Even with CBS's boost of extra viewers that night from the NFL Network,
NBC ranked #1 for the week among the Big 4 networks in women 18-49 and adults, men and women 18-34.
NBC's "Sunday Night Football" joined with the Tuesday and Monday editions of "The Voice" to account for three of the week's top four primetime rankings on the Big 4 in adults 18-49, with football finishing #1, Tuesday's "Voice" finale #3 and Monday's "Voice" #4. Rankings exclude sports pre- and post-game shows.
The two editions of "The Voice" scored the week's top two rankings among entertainment primetime programs on ABC, CBS,
NBC or
FOX in adults 18-49, as well as adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and all key adult-female demos.
"Sunday Night Football" ranked #1 among Big 4 primetime programs for the week in every key measure except women 25-54, where Tuesday's "The Voice" ranked #1. "SNF" was also #1 among primetime telecasts on ABC, CBS,
NBC and
FOX in teens 12-17 and kids 2-11.
For the season, NBC ranks #1 or tied for #1 among the Big 4 networks in every key demographic - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54. In adults 18-49, NBC ranks #1 by a +16% margin (with a 2.9 rating vs. a 2.5 for #2 CBS).
In total viewers,
NBC is #2 for the season, and running within 1% of its year-ago average (9.810 million vs. 9.878 million), making this season and last NBC's two top-scoring seasons in total viewers at this point since 2006. This season and last also mark the first two times since 2003 that
NBC has ranked as high as #2 in total viewers at this point.
Primetime averages for the week of Dec. 15-21 in adults 18-49 are: CBS, 2.2/7; NBC, 2.0/7; ABC, 1.1/4; Fox, 0.8/3; and CW, 0.5/1. In overall total viewers, the weekly averages were: CBS, 10.2 million; NBC, 7.9 million; ABC, 4.4 million; Fox, 2.8 million; and CW, 1.4 million.
"Most current" averages for the season to date are: NBC, 2.9/9; CBS, 2.5/8; ABC, 2.4/7; Fox, 2.0/6; and CW, 0.9/3. In overall total viewers, the season averages are: CBS, 11.8 million; NBC, 9.8 million; ABC, 8.6 million; Fox, 6.1 million; and CW, 2.3 million.
NBC highlights for the week of Dec. 15-21:
Monday
NBC finished #1 for the night among the Big 4 networks in every key measure, with "The Voice" (2.8/9 in 18-49, 12.1 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) ranking as the night's #1 telecast on those nets in each key category. "The Voice" grew +12% versus the prior week in 18-49 (2.8 vs. 2.5) and by +11% in total viewers (12.1 million vs. 10.8 million), to match its highest 18-49 rating since Nov. 17 (3.1) and deliver its biggest overall audience since Oct. 27 (12.5 million). Versus the comparable episode in the spring (3.2/10 in 18-49 and 11.704 million viewers on May 19), "The Voice" retained 88% of its 18-49 rating and is up +3% in total viewers.
"Live Plus Three Day" Ratings: "The Voice" grew by +19% in 18-49 (from a 2.84 rating to a 3.37) and more than 1.4 million viewers overall (from 12.1 million to 13.5 million) going from "live plus same day" rating to L+3. "Live Plus Seven Day" Ratings: Through season's first 12 weeks, first-run editions of Monday's "Voice" have grown in L+7 vs. L+SD by +25% in 18-49 rating (from a 3.47 to a 4.35) and 2.2 million viewers overall (12.0 million to 14.2 million).
"State of Affairs" (1.5/5 in 18-49, 6.2 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) retained 94% of its 1.6 rating of the prior two weeks in 18-49 and held onto +98% week to week in total viewers (6.2 million vs. 6.3 million). In the time period, "State of Affairs" finished within 0.1 of a rating point of #1 among ABC,
CBS and
NBC in adults 18-49, tied for #1 in men 18-45 and was #1 outright among those nets in adults, men and women 18-34.
L+3: "State of Affairs" grew by +34% in 18-49 (from a 1.50 rating to a 2.01) and 2.1 million viewers overall (from 5.2 million to 6.2 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: "State of Affairs" has increased by an average +42% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.73 to a 2.46) and 2.9 million viewers overall (7.1 million vs. 10.0 million) going from L+SD to L+7.
Tuesday
"Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas" (1.3/4 in 18-49, 4.8 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) grew by +8% from half-hour to half-hour in adults 18-49 (1.3 to 1.4) and increased by +20% from half-hour to half-hour in kids 2-11 (1.5 to 1.8). "Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas" held steady or grew from half-hour to half-hour in every key demographic.
For the week, "Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas" ranked #3 among the Big 4 primetime programs in kids 2-11 (with a 1.7 rating), behind only "Sunday Night Football" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas."
L+3: "Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas" grew by +24% in 18-49 (from a 1.33 rating to a 1.65) and more than 1.3 million viewers overall (from 4.8 million to 6.2 million) going from L+SD to L+3. In kids 2-11, the special rose to a 3.65 rating in L+3, making it NBC's #2 telecast this season in the demo, behind only "Peter Pan Live!" (4.31)
The finale of "The Voice 7" (3.3/10 in 18-49, 12.9 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) retained 100% of the 18-49 rating for the prior finale (3.3/10 on from 9-11 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20) and was up +10% in total viewers (12.9 million vs. 11.7 million). The "Voice 7" closer hit a high in 18-49 for any net in the time period since Sept. 30, excluding Fox's World Series. Versus NBC's average this season in the time period, "The Voice" jumped +65% in 18-49 (3.3 vs. 2.0, L+SD non-sports) and +73% in total viewers (12.9 million vs. 7.4 million).
Week to week, "The Voice" grew +43% in 18-49 (3.3 vs. 2.3), an increase from a gain for the prior cycle of +27% (3.3 for the finale vs. 2.6 one week earlier). "The Voice" scored its top Tuesday rating since Oct. 21 in 18-49 (3.3) and biggest overall viewership for a Tuesday telecast since Sept. 30 (13.8 million).
L+3: "The Voice" grew by +16% in 18-49 (from a 3.26 to a 3.78) and 1,5 million viewers overall (12.9 million to 14.4 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: Tuesday's "Voice" is growing by an average +25% in 18-49 rating (from a 3.31 to a 4.13) and 2.0 million viewers overall (12.0 million to 14.0 million) going from L+SD to L+7.
NBC won Tuesday among the Big 4 in adults 18-49 and nearly all other key demos with the #1 show of the night in adults 18-49 25-54 and adults 18-34, "The Voice."
Wednesday
"Michael Bublé's Christmas in New York" (1.3/4 in 18-49, 7.5 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) grew by +50% or 2.5 million persons in total viewers versus Bublé's year-ago special (7.5 million vs. 5.0 million from 10-11 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013), making this the most watched among Bublé's four
NBC Christmas specials to date. In adults 18-49, the special matched the year-ago 18-49 rating (1.3 vs. 1.3) and in adults 25-54, this year's telecast was up +13% (1.7 vs. 1.5). In the time period, "Michael Bublé's Christmas in New York" tied for #2 in 18-49 among the Big 4 and ranked #2 outright among those nets in total viewers. The special was the night's #3 show in total viewers behind only the "Survivor" finale and reunion.
L+3: "Michael Bublé's Christmas in New York" increased by +11% in 18-49 (from a 1.30 rating to a 1.44) and 605,000 viewers overall (from 7.5 million to 8.1 million) going from L+SD to L+3.
"The Sing-Off" (1.3/4 in 18-49, 5.1 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) tied for #2 in the slot among the Big 4 in adult 18-49, behind only CBS's "Survivor" finale and reunion and finished #2 outright among those networks in total viewers. "The Sing-Off" finished within a tenth a rating point of last season's finale for a seven-episode cycle (1.3 vs. 1.4 from 8-10 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 23, 2013) and within 4% in total viewers (5.1 million vs. 5.3 million viewers overall).
L+3: "The Sing-Off" grew by +20% in 18-49 (from a 1.33 rating to a 1.60) and 671,000 viewers overall (from 5.1 million to 5.8 million) going from L+SD to L+3.
Thursday
"The Biggest Loser" (0.9/3 in 18-49, 3.9 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) finished #2 in the time period in adults 18-49 and total viewers among the Big 4.
L+3: The prior telecast of "The Biggest Loser" on Dec. 11 grew by +24% in 18-49 (from a 1.13 to a 1.40) and 726,000 viewers overall (from 4.3 million to 5.0 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: "The Biggest Loser" first-runs are increasing by an average +35% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.30 to a 1.76) and more than 1.0 million viewers overall (4.7 million to 5.7 million) going from L+SD to L+7.
"The People Magazine Awards" (0.8/3 in 18-49, 3.7 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) grew by +29% or 0.2 of a rating point from its first half-hour to its fourth (0.7 to 0.9) and by +13% in total viewers (3.4 million to 3.8 million). In its first hour from 9-10 p.m. ET, "The People Magazine Awards" tied for #2 among the Big 4 in adults 18-49 and in its second hour from 10-11 ranked #2 outright among ABC,
CBS and NBC. "The People Magazine Awards" generated NBC's biggest audience in the slot, excluding "Peter Pan Live!" and NFL football, since Oct. 23.
Friday
NBC ranked #1 Friday night among the Big 4 in adults 18-49, total viewers, adults 25-54 and all other key measures (including a tie with
ABC in women 25-54).
"Caught on Camera with Nick Cannon" (0.9/4 in 18-49, 4.6 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) ranked #2 in the time period among the Big 4 in 18-49, total viewers and most other key demos and tied for #1 among the Big 4 nets in women 18-34 (with a 0.7 rating for
NBC and CBS). "Caught on Camera with Nick Cannon" maintained its adults 18-49 rating from half-hour to half-hour (0.9 vs. 0.9) and grew from half-hour to half-hour in all key adult-female demos.
"Dateline NBC" (1.3/5 in 18-49, 6.8 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) tied for the #1 rating of the night on the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and was #1 outright among those nets in total viewers, winning the 9-11 p.m. time period among the Big 4 in adults 18-49 and ranking #1 or tied for #1 among those nets in the slot in all key measures. "Dateline" was the #1 newsmagazine of the night in all key measures.
Saturday
From 8-11 p.m.ET, an encore telecast "The Sound of Music Live!" averaged a 0.3/1 in 18-49 and 1.7 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its sixth, "The Sound of Music Live!" doubled in 18-49 rating (from a 0.2 to a 0.4) and grew by +33% in total viewers (1.5 million to 2.1 million).
Sunday:
NBC Sports' "Sunday Night Football" (6.1/19 in 18-49, 19.3 million viewers overall from 8:31-11:20 p.m. ET), featuring the Seattle Seahawks at the Arizona Cardinals, 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. Versus the same night last year, "Sunday Night Football" was up +5% in total viewers (19.3 million vs. 18.3 million).
For the night,
NBC led among the Big 4 by a +113% margin over #2
CBS in adults 18-49 (with a 5.1 rating from 7:30-11 p.m. for
NBC vs. a 2.4 from 7-11 for CBS). In total viewers, the nightlong margin over #2
CBS was +36% (16.2 million from 7:30-11 vs. 11.9 million for CBS).
WEEKLY AVERAGES
Average rating, share and audience in each category
ADULTS 18-49
CBS 2.2/7, 2.7 million
NBC 2.0/7, 2.6 million
ABC 1.1/4, 1.4 million
Fox 0.8/3, 1.1 million
CW 0.5/1, 0.6 million
Each rating point equals 1.27 million viewers
ADULTS 25-54
CBS 2.9/8, 3.5 million
NBC 2.5/7, 3.0 million
ABC 1.4/4, 1.7 million
Fox 1.0/3, 1.2 million
CW 0.5/1, 0.6 million
Each rating point equals 1.20 million viewers
TOTAL VIEWERS
CBS 3.4/10, 10.2 million
NBC 2.7/7, 7.9 million
ABC 1.5/4, 4.4 million
Fox 0.9/3, 2.8 million
CW 0.5/1, 1.4 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 2.5/8, 3.2 million
ABC 2.4/7, 3.0 million
Fox 2.0/6, 2.6 million
CW 0.9/3, 1.1 million
Each rating point equals 1.27 million viewers
ADULTS 25-54
NBC 3.5/10, 4.3 million
CBS 3.5/9, 4.1 million
ABC 2.9/8, 3.5 million
Fox 2.4/6, 2.8 million
CW 1.0/3, 1.2 million
Each rating point equals 1.20 million viewers
TOTAL VIEWERS
CBS 4.0/11, 11.8 million
NBC 3.3/9, 9.8 million
ABC 2.9/8, 8.6 million
Fox 2.0/5, 6.1 million
CW 0.8/2, 2.3 million
Each rating point equals 2.95 million viewers
