Fred Armisen-Hosted SNL Ranks #1 for the Night in Metered Markets

The May 21 telecast of "Saturday Night Live," with host Fred Armisen and musical guest Courtney Barnett, averaged a 3.7 rating, 10 share in household results from the 56 markets metered by Nielsen Media Research and a 1.7/9 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.

"Saturday Night Live" ranks as the #1 telecast of the night on the Big 4 networks in both metered-market households and in 18-49 in the local people meters, ahead of all primetime programs on those nets in both measures.

"Saturday Night Live" maintained +100% of the show's May 2015 average for originals in metered-market households (3.7 vs 3.7 for May 2015).

Note that "SNL" adds significant viewership via time-shifting, with originals growing by +49% going from L+SD to L+7 in adults 18-49 (1.86 to 2.77) and +2.127 million persons in total viewers (6.184 million to 8.311 million).

Saturday Primetime Ratings: Regarding Saturday's primetime Nielsens, note that the fast-affiliate ratings that came in at 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT are not time zone-adjusted and are subject to revision for live sporting events. As those preliminary numbers stand, NBC Sports primetime coverage of Stanley Cup Playoff hockey is tied for #1 from 8-10 p.m. in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, men 18-49 and men 18-34 among the Big 4 networks and is currently #1 outright among those nets in men 25-54.

In metered-market results, which are time zone-adjusted, last night's NBC Sports 7:15-10 p.m. ET coverage of Stanley Cup Playoff hockey, featuring the St. Louis Blues at the San Jose Sharks, scored a 1.71 rating in household results from the 56 markets metered by Nielsen Media Research.

"SNL Vintage," with an encore of the May 13, 1989 telecast of "Saturday Night Live," hosted by Wayne Gretzky with musical guest Fine Young Cannibals, aired from 10-11 p.m. ET. As the preliminary numbers stand, "SNL Vintage" is averaging a 0.5/2 in adults 18-49 and 1.8 million viewers overall. "SNL Vintage" currently ranks #2 in the time period among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 and #1 in men 18-49 and men 25-54.

NOTE: All ratings are "live plus same day" from Nielsen Media Research unless otherwise indicated.

Image courtesy of NBC

Need more TV Theatre News in your life? Sign up for all the news on the Fall season, discounts & more...