NBC's THE VOICE Ranks #1 Among Primetime Programs on Big 4 Networks

By: Mar. 31, 2015
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"The Voice" has delivered the #1 rating among Big 4 primetime telecasts for the week of March 23-29 in adults 18-49, as well as adults 25-54, women 18-49 and 25-54, teens 12-17 and kids 2-11.

For the week, NBC tied for #2 among those networks in adults 18-49, averaging a 1.4 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49 and 5.8 million viewers overall, according to "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

NBC tied for #1 for the week in women 25-54 and ranked #2 outright among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in women 18-34, women 18-49, men 18-49 and men 25-54.

The Monday and Tuesday editions of "The Voice" accounted for two of the week's top three primetime telecasts on the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and the top two in adults 25-54 and women 25-54.

For the 2014-15 season to date, NBC ranks #1 or tied for #1 among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 as well as adults, men and women 18-34, men and women 18-49 and women 25-54.

In total viewers, NBC is #2 for the season, and running within 8% of its year-ago Olympics-boosted average (9.1 million vs. 9.9 million), making this season and last NBC's two top-scoring seasons in total viewers at this point since the 2006-07 season. This is the second year in a row NBC has ranked #2 in total viewers at this point in the season, marking first two times since 2003-04 that NBC has ranked as high as #2 in total viewers at this point.

Primetime averages for the week of March 23-29 in adults 18-49 are: CBS, 1.8/6; NBC, 1.4/5; ABC, 1.4/5; Fox, 1.0/4; and CW, 0.5/2. In overall total viewers, the weekly averages were: CBS, 8.8 million; ABC, 6.1 million; NBC, 5.8 million; Fox, 3.7 million; and CW, 1.4 million.

"Most current" averages for the season to date are: NBC, 2.6/8; CBS, 2.4/8; ABC, 2.2/7; Fox, 2.1/7; and CW, 0.8/3. In overall total viewers, the season averages are: CBS, 11.5 million; NBC, 9.1 million; ABC, 7.9 million; Fox, 6.1 million; and CW, 2.1 million.

NBC highlights for the week of March 23-29:

Monday

NBC won Monday night among the Big 4 in every key demographic, as the #1 show of the night on those nets in all key demos, "The Voice," topped the #2 show, CBS's "Scorpion," by a +62% margin in adults 18-49, while "Night Shift" tied its second-best rating ever and best since the show's series premiere last May.

"The Voice" (3.4/10 in 18-49, 12.2 million viewers overall from 8-10:01 p.m. ET) matched the prior week's 18-49 rating and ranked as the #1 show of the night on the Big 4 in all key demographics. "The Voice" topped the #2 show of the night on the Big 4 in 18-49 by +62% (3.4 vs. 2.1 for CBS's "Scorpion"). "The Voice" matched its week-five Monday rating from last fall (3.4 on Oct. 20, 2014) and was up +3% in total viewers (12.204 million vs. 11.899 million).

"Live Plus Three Day" Ratings: "The Voice" grew by +21% in 18-49 rating going from "live plus same day" to "live plus three day" Nielsens (from a 3.37 rating to a 4.08) and by 2.0 million viewers overall (from 12.2 million to 14.3 million).

"Live Plus Seven Day" Ratings: Season to date, first-run editions of Monday's "Voice" have grown in L+7 vs. L+SD by +26% in 18-49 rating (from a 3.45 to a 4.33) and more than 2.2 million viewers overall (12.3 million to 14.6 million).

Upscale: "The Voice" was the night's most upscale show on the Big 4, indexing at 109 among in adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (100 represents an average concentration of those homes, L+SD).

"The Night Shift" (1.5/5 in 18-49, 5.4 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) jumped +15% week to week in 18-49 (1.5 vs. 1.3) to match its second-best rating ever in 18-49, and best since the show's series premiere (1.6 on Tuesday, May 27, 2014). The last time "Night Shift" earned a 1.5 was with this season's debut telecast on Feb. 23. This week's "Night Shift" finished within a tenth of a point of #1 for the hour among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 (1.4 vs. 1.5 for CBS's "NCIS: LA"), tied for #1 in women 18-34 (with a 1.1 rating) and finished #1 outright in the slot among those nets in women 18-49 (1.9). L+3: "The Night Shift" grew by +28% in 18-49 going from L+SD to L+3 (1.50 to 1.92). In total viewers, "Night Shift" grew by more than 1.3 million persons (from 5.4 million to 6.8 million). L+7: "The Night Shift" increased last summer by +40% going from L+SD to L+7 in 18-49 (from a 1.36 rating to a 1.90) and more than 1.9 million viewers overall (from 6.6 million to 8.5 million).

Tuesday

"The Voice" (2.8/10 in 18-49, 11.6 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) ranked as the #1 show of the night in 18-49 by a +27% margin (2.8 vs. 2.2 for CBS's #2 "NCIS"). "The Voice" was the #1 show of the night on the Big 4 networks in every key demographic (including a tie for #1 among men 25-54). L+3: "The Voice" increased by +24% in 18-49 going from L+SD to L+3 (2.83 to 3.52). In total viewers, "The Voice" grew by 1.7 million persons (from 11.6 million to 13.3 million). L+7: Originals of Tuesday's "Voice" have grown by an average of +24% in 18-49 rating this season (from a 3.44 to a 4.27) and 2.1 million viewers overall (12.7 million to 14.8 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

"Undateable" (1.5/5 in 18-49, 5.2 million viewers overall from 9-9:30 p.m. ET) delivered its second-best ratings to date, behind only last week's season premiere (1.9/6 in 18-49, 6.4 million viewers overall). In the time period, "Undateable" tied for #1 among the Big 4 in women 18-34 (1.0) and tied for #2, within 0.1 of #1, in adults 18-34 (0.9). "Undateable" improved the time period by +36% in 18-49 and +37% in total viewers versus NBC's season average in the slot prior to "Undateable," excluding "The Voice" (1.1 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall, L+SD). Excluding "The Voice," "Undateable" has now generated NBC's two highest 18-49 ratings in the time period since Nov. 18. L+3: "Undateable" grew by +17% in 18-49 going from L+SD to L+3 (1.50 to 1.76). In total viewers, "Undateable" grew by 493,000 persons (from 5.2 million to 5.7 million).

"One Big Happy" (1.2/4 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall from 9:30-10 p.m. ET) retained 80% of its 18-49 lead-in from "Undateable." "One Big Happy" improved the slot by +20% in 18-49 versus NBC's season average in the time period prior to "One Big Happy," excluding "The Voice" (1.0, L+SD). Excluding "The Voice," "One Big Happy" has now generated NBC's two highest 18-49 ratings in the time period since Nov. 18. L+3: "One Big Happy" increased by +20% in 18-49 going from L+SD to L+3 (1.16 to 1.40). In total viewers, "One Big Happy" increased by 534,000 persons (from 3.8 million to 4.3 million).

A special Tuesday telecast of "The Night Shift" (1.0/3 in 18-49, 4.0 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) beat ABC's regular drama in the time period, "Forever," in adults 18-49 and all key adult-female demos. L+3: The Tuesday "Night Shift" grew by +33% in 18-49 going from L+SD to L+3 (1.00 to 1.33). In total viewers, "Night Shift" grew by 968,000 persons (from 4.0 million to 5.0 million).

Wednesday

"The Mysteries of Laura" (1.0/4 in 18-49, 6.4 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) delivered the show's second-biggest overall audience since Jan. 7 (6.8 million), trailing over that span only the Feb. 25 telecast, which featured a guest appearance by Eric McCormack of "Will & Grace" (7.6 million). L+3: "Laura" grew in L+3 vs. L+SD by +24% in 18-49 rating (1.04 to 1.29) and in total viewers by 1.2 million persons (6.4 million to 7.6 million). L+7: "The Mysteries of Laura" originals are growing by +33% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.30 to a 1.73) and more than 1.8 million viewers overall (7.8 million to 9.7 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1.3/4 in 18-49, 5.9 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) built on its lead-in by +30% in adults 18-49. "SVU" maintained or increased its rating from half-hour to half-hour in every key measure. L+3: "SVU" increased in L+3 vs. L+SD by +74% in 18-49 rating (1.27 to 2.21) and in total viewers by 2.4 million persons (5.9 million to 8.3 million). The 0.94 increase in 18-49 is "SVU" biggest jump from L+SD to L+3 since the show's Nov. 12 telecast. L+7: "SVU" originals this season are increasing by an average of +68% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.65 a 2.78) and 2.9 million viewers overall (7.5 million to 10.4 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

"Chicago P.D." (1.5/5 in 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) won the hour in adults 18-49 and has now finished #1 or tied for #1 versus the time period's ABC-CBS competition with nine of its last ten originals. "Chicago P.D." matched the show's prior 18-49 rating for an original (1.5 on Feb. 25), despite a four-week break between first-run telecasts. "Chicago P.D." grew +15% versus its adult 18-49 lead-in and has now matched or built on its 18-49 lead-in from an original "SVU" for a fifth time in its last six opportunities. L+3: "Chicago P.D." grew in L+3 vs. L+SD by +57% in 18-49 rating (1.48 to 2.32) and in total viewers by 2.6 million persons (6.3 million to 8.9 million). L+7: "Chicago P.D." originals are growing by an average of +69% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.60 to a 2.70) and 3.3 million viewers overall (7.2 million to 10.5 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Thursday

"Dateline NBC" (1.0/3 in 18-49, 6.2 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) reported the network's second-highest 18-49 rating in the time period in six weeks (since Feb. 12, 1.1 for the debut of "The Slap," trailing over that span only the prior week's 1.2) and NBC's second-biggest overall audience in the hour in 16 weeks (since Dec. 4, 11.2 million for "Peter Pan Live!," trailing over that span only last week's 6.5 million). L+3: The previous week's "Dateline" increased in L+3 vs. L+SD by +12% in 18-49 rating (1.23 to 1.38) and in total viewers by 556,000 persons (6.5 million to 7.0 million).

"The Blacklist" (1.6/5 in 18-49, 8.1 million viewers overall from 9-10:01 p.m. ET) grew +60% versus its lead-in in adults 18-49 and was up +31% in total viewers. "The Blacklist" ranked #2 and was the top non-sports choice in the time period on the Big 4 networks in men 18-49 and men 25-54. "The Blacklist" maintained 100% of the prior week's rating in adults 18-34 (0.8 vs. 0.8) and was up +17% or 0.1 of a point in men 18-34 (0.7 vs. 0.6).

L+3: The prior week's "Blacklist" grew in L+3 vs. L+SD by +75% in 18-49 rating (1.82 to 3.19) and in total viewers by 4.5 million persons (8.6 million to 13.1 million), the biggest increases on the week in total viewers. THE MARCH 19 "Blacklist" finished in the top 10 across television in both 18-49 and total viewers once L+3 viewership was counted.. L+7: This season, originals of "The Blacklist" are increasing by an average of +67% in 18-49 rating (from a 2.74 to a 4.57) and 5.9 million viewers overall (10.4 million to 16.3 million) going from L+SD to L+7. Upscale: "The Blacklist" has been a strong upscale performer, delivering a 140 index of adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes ("most current" including L+3, with 100 representing an average concentration of those homes).

"The Slap" (0.7/2 in 18-49, 3.2 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) maintained its 0.7 rating in adults 18-49 week to week and grew for a second week in a row in total viewers. L+3: The previous week's "Slap" grew in L+3 vs. L+SD by +51% in 18-49 rating (0.65 to 0.98) and in total viewers by 1.1 million persons (3.2 million to 4.3 million). L+7: "The Slap" is growing by an average of +48% in 18-49 rating (from a 0.80 to a 1.18) and 1.3 million viewers overall (3.9 million to 5.2 million) going from L+SD to L+7. Upscale: "The Slap" has been a solid upscale attraction, delivering a 116 index of adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes ("most current" including L+3, with 100 representing an average concentration of those homes).

Friday

"Grimm" (1.0/4 in 18-49, 4.9 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) captured its biggest overall audience since Jan. 23 (5.0 million). Week to week, "Grimm" was up +3% in total viewers (4.9 million vs. 4.8 million). "Grimm" won the time period among the Big 4 networks in women 18-49 (with a 1.4 rating) and women 25-54 (2.0) and was the #1 non-sports program on those nets in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and total viewers. L+3: The previous week's "Grimm" increased in L+3 vs. L+SD by +72% in 18-49 rating (1.10 to 1.89) and in total viewers by 2.2 million persons (4.8 million to 7.0 million). L+7: "Grimm" first-runs are growing by an average of +86% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.23 to a 2.29) and more than 2.7 million viewers overall (5.0 million to 7.7 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

An encore telecast of "Dateline NBC" (1.0/4 in 18-49, 5.7 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) ranked #1 in the time-period among the Big 4 nets in women 25-54 (with a 2.0 rating). L+3: The prior week's "Dateline" on March 6 grew by +21% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.28 to a 1.55) and 874,000 viewers overall (6.8 million to 7.7 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: Friday's "Dateline" is increasing by an average of +24% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.24 to a 1.54) and 943,000 viewers overall (6.1 million to 7.1 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

For the night, NBC finished #1 among the Big 4 networks in women 18-49 (1.4) and women 25-54 (2.0) and tied for #1 excluding sports in adults 18-49 (1.0).

Saturday

"The World Figure Skating Championships" averaged a 0.3/1 in 18-49 and 2.2 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET. From its first half-hour to its fourth, the skating coverage grew in adults 18-49 by +33% (0.3 to 0.4), +25% in adults 25-54 (0.4 to 0.5) and +40% in women 25-54 (0.5 to 0.7).

"SNL Vintage" (0.6/2 in 18-49, 2.2 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET, with an encore of the Oct. 11, 1986 telecast of "Saturday night Live" with host Sigourney Weaver and musical guest Buster Poindexter) grew +40% from its first half-hour to its second in adult 18-49 rating (0.5 to 0.7), by +13% in adults 25-54 (0.8 to 0.9 and by +38% in women 25-54 (0.8 to 1.1), despite the 10 p.m. hour.

Sunday

An encore telecast of "The Voice" (0.5/2 in 18-49, 2.8 million viewers overall from 7-8 p.m. ET) grew by +25% from half-hour to half-hour in adults 18-49 (from a 0.4 rating to a 0.5), +17% in adults 25-54 (0.6 to 0.7) and +29% in women 25-54 (0.7 to 0.9).

The "iHeart Radio Music Awards" (1.7/5 in 18-49, 5.3 million viewers overall from 8-11 p.m. ET) grew +21% versus NBC's average in the time period last season excluding sports in adults 18-49 (with a 1.7 rating vs. a 1.4, L+SD non-sports) and was up 1% versus last season's slot average in total viewers (5.3 million vs. 5.2 million). The "iHeart" telecast maintained 100% of the event's year-ago adult 18-49 rating (1.7 from 8-11 p.m. on May 1, 2014) despite the night's intense competition from the season finale of AMC's "The Walking Dead" and NCAA Tournament Basketball. "iHeart" also finished within 4% of last year in total viewers (5.3 million vs. 5.5 million). These were NBC's best results in the time period since the "SNL 40" special on Feb. 15.

The "iHeart Radio Music Awards" won the time period among the Big 4 in adults 18-49 and also ranked #1 in the slot among those networks in adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and all key adult-female demos. For its third and final hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, the "iHeart Radio Music Awards" won among ABC, CBS and NBC in every key ratings demographic - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

The "iHeart Radio Music Awards" led NBC to the nightlong win among the Big 4 in adults 18-34 (with a 1.1 average rating from 7-11) and women 18-34 (1.3).

WEEKLY AVERAGES
Average rating, share and audience in each category

ADULTS 18-49

CBS 1.8/6, 2.2 million

NBC 1.4/5, 1.8 million

ABC 1.4/5, 1.7 million

Fox 1.0/4, 1.3 million

CW 0.5/2, 0.7 million

Each rating point equals 1.27 million viewers

ADULTS 25-54

CBS 2.4/7, 2.8 million

NBC 1.9/5, 2.2 million

ABC 1.8/5, 2.2 million

Fox 1.4/4, 1.6 million

CW 0.6/2, 0.7 million

Each rating point equals 1.20 million viewers

TOTAL VIEWERS

CBS 3.0/8, 8.8 million

ABC 2.0/6, 6.1 million

NBC 2.0/5, 5.8 million

Fox 1.3/3, 3.7 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 2.6/8, 3.3 million

CBS 2.4/8, 3.0 million

ABC 2.2/7, 2.8 million

Fox 2.1/7, 2.6 million

CW 0.8/3, 1.0 million

Each rating point equals 1.27 million viewers

ADULTS 25-54

CBS 3.3/9, 3.9 million

NBC 3.2/9, 3.8 million

ABC 2.7/7, 3.2 million

Fox 2.5/7, 2.9 million

CW 0.9/2, 1.1 million

Each rating point equals 1.20 million viewers

TOTAL VIEWERS

CBS 3.9/10, 11.5 million

NBC 3.1/8, 9.1 million

ABC 2.7/7, 7.9 million

Fox 2.1/5, 6.1 million

CW 0.7/2, 2.1 million

Each rating point equals 2.95 million viewers



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