NBC Claims Five of Five Weeks of Primetime Season in 18-49 Demo

NBC has won Week 5 of the 2015-16 primetime season among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and all other key demographics, marking the first time since 2001 that NBC has claimed each of the opening five weeks of the new season in adults 18-49.

NBC's "Sunday Night Football" ranked #1 for the week of Oct. 19-25 among primetime shows on the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and total viewers, as well as adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and all key adult-male demos, while the Monday and Tuesday editions of "The Voice" ranked #5 and tied for #7 respectively in adults 18-49 and Monday's "Blindspot" tied for #12. Rankings exclude sports pre- and post-game shows.

According to "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, NBC averaged a 2.3 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49 and 8.2 million viewers overall for the week. Versus the same week last year, NBC was even in 18-49 (2.3 vs. 2.3) and up in total viewers (+4%, 8.2 million vs. 7.8 million), as well as men 18-49 and men 25-54. NBC is the only Big 4 network to equal its year-ago rating in 18-49 or to grow versus the same week last year in total viewers.

It's the 16thconsecutive week NBC has ranked #1 or tied for #1 among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, the longest unbeaten streak for any network in six years, since FOX won 17 weeks in a row in 2009 from the week of Feb. 2 to the week of May 25, 2009.

The 16-week streak is also NBC's longest in 12 years (since the network finished #1 or tied for #1 for 16 consecutive weeks in 2003 from the week of May 26 through the week of Sept. 8, 2003), and it matches NBC's longest unbeaten streak in 14 years (since ranking #1 or tied for #1 for 18 straight weeks in 2001 from the week of April 16 through the week of Aug. 13, 2001).

Through the opening five weeks of the 2015-16 season, NBC ranks #1 among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and every other key demo (including a tie in women 18-34) and is #2 in total viewers.

Primetime averages for the week of Oct. 19-25 in adults 18-49 are: NBC, 2.3/7; CBS, 1.9/6; Fox, 1.7/5; ABC, 1.6/5; and CW, 0.5/2. In overall total viewers, the weekly averages were: CBS, 9.8 million; NBC, 8.2 million; ABC, 6.4 million; Fox, 4.9 million; and CW, 1.4 million.

"Most current" averages for the season to date are: NBC, 2.8/9; CBS, 2.5/8; ABC, 2.1/7; Fox, 1.9/6; and CW, 0.6/2. In overall total viewers, the season averages are: CBS, 11.7 million; NBC, 9.5 million; ABC, 7.7 million; Fox, 5.3 million; and CW, 1.6 million.

NBC highlights for the week of Oct. 19-25:

Monday

NBC won the night among the Big 4 in every key demographic, including a decisive victory in adults 18-49 among those networks, winning by a +35% margin.

"The Voice" (3.0/9 in 18-49, 11.4 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) won the time period among the Big 4 in every key demo (including a tie in men 25-54), including a +25% margin of victory among those nets in adults 18-49 (3.0 vs. 2.4 for #2 CBS). "The Voice" jumped +20% versus what the prior cycle was averaging in last May's sweep in 18-49 (3.0 vs. 2.5).

"Live Plus Three Day" Ratings: "The Voice" increased by +21% in 18-49 rating going from "live plus same day" to "live plus three day" Nielsens (from a 3.04 rating to a 3.67) and by 1.9 viewers overall (from 11.4 million to 13.3 million).

"Live Plus Seven Day" Ratings: So far this season, Monday's "Voice" has grown in L+7 vs. L+SD by +26% in 18-49 rating (from a 3.39 to a 4.27) and 2.5 million viewers overall (12.2 million to 14.7 million).

Upscale: Monday's "Voice" is delivering a solidly upscale audience, indexing at a 115 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes ("most current," including L+3, 100 represents an average concentration of those homes). The prior week's telecast was the night's most upscale show on the Big 4 (116 index, L+SD).

"Blindspot" (2.1/7 in 18-49, 7.8 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) won the slot among the ABC-CBS-NBC dramas in every key demo, including a +62% margin of victory among those nets in adults 18-49 (2.1 vs. 1.3 for CBS's "NCIS: LA"). "Blindspot" was up +31% versus NBC's average in the time period last season in 18-49 (2.1 vs. 1.6). In its five weeks, "Blindspot" has delivered NBC's five highest ratings in the hour, excluding sports, in the last 11 months (since Nov. 17, 2014, 2.2 with "The Blacklist"). Upscale: "Blindspot" is generating a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 127 among adults 18-49 living in home with $100K+ incomes.

L+3: "Blindspot" grew by +74% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 ratings (2.12 to 3.68) and by 4.4 million viewers overall (7.8 million to 12.2 million). The increase of +1.56 in 18-49 rating is "Blindspot's" second biggest lift to date (+1.60 for Week 2). Week-to-week, "Blindspot's" 18-49 decline shrank from -15% in L+SD (2.12 vs. 2.48) to just -4% in L+3 (3.68 vs. 3.83). The total-viewer increase of 4.402 million is the biggest lift of the night, ahead of "Big Bang Theory" (+4.226 million). The 4.4 million increase topped the prior week's 4.1 million, which was broadcast television's biggest lift of the week in L+3 total viewers.

L+7: "Blindspot" has increased this season by +71% in 18-49 rating (from a 2.71 to a 4.64) and 5.9 million viewers overall (9.6 million to 15.5 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Tuesday

NBC won the night among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, marking the 14thstraight Tuesday it's ranked #1 or tied for #1 among those nets.

"Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris" (1.2/4 in 18-49, 4.8 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) retained 100% of last week's rating in 18-49, (1.2 vs. 1.2) and grew by +7% in total viewers (4.8 million vs. 4.5 million) to hit a three-week high in total viewers (best since Sept. 29 at 10 p.m., 6.0 million). L+3: "Best Time" increased by +9% in 18-49 (1.23 to 1.34) and 239,000 viewers (4.8 million to 5.1 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: "Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris" has grown +22% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.78 to a 2.18) and 972,000 viewers overall (5.7 million to 6.7 million) this season going from L+SD to L+7.Upscale: "Best Time Ever" is delivering a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 121 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes.

"The Voice" (2.7/8 in 18-49, 11.3 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) grew week to week by +4% in 18-49 (2.7 vs. 2.6) and +11% in total viewers (11.280 million vs. 10.135 million). "The Voice" ranked as the #1 show of the night on the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and adults 25-54. "Voice" won the 9 p.m. hour by a +69% margin among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX (2.7 vs. 1.6 for CBS's "NCIS: New Orleans"). L+3: Tuesday's "Voice" grew by +23% in 18-49 (2.72 to 3.34) and 1.8 million viewers (11.3 million to 13.1 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: Tuesday's "Voice" has increased this season by +23% in 18-49 rating (from a 3.61 to a 4.44) and 2.4 million viewers overall (13.0 million to 15.4 million) going from L+SD to L+7. Upscale: Tuesday's "Voice" is delivering a solidly upscale audience, indexing at a 118 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes.

"Chicago Fire" (1.6/5 in 18-49, 7.6 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) retained 89% of the prior week's season premiere in 18-49 (1.6 vs. 1.8) and grew +4% in total viewers (7.6 million vs. 7.4 million), making this the show's most watched telecast since April 7 (8.4 million). "Chicago Fire" won the slot among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 and other key demos, to deliver its 10thconsecutive time-period win versus ABC and CBS competition when in original, dating back to last March. L+3: "Chicago Fire" grew by +60% in 18-49 (1.64 to 2.61) and 3.0 million viewers (7.6 million to 10.9 million) going from L+SD to L+3. It was the biggest L+3 18-49 lift for "Chicago Fire" since Jan. 6, allowing the show to reduce its week-to-week decline from -8% in L+SD to -3% in L+3. L+7: Last season, "Chicago Fire" first-runs increased by +61% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.82 to a 2.93) and more than 3.5 million viewers overall (7.4 million to 10.9 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Wednesday

"The Mysteries of Laura" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 6.8 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) grew +10% versus the prior week in adults 18-49 (1.1 vs. 1.0) and was also up +10% versus what the show averaged during last May's sweep in 18-49 (1.1 vs. 1.0). In total viewers, "Laura" was up +6% versus its May sweep average (6.6 million vs. 6.4 million). L+3: "Laura" increased by +26% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens (1.08 to 1.36) and by 1.3 million viewers overall (from 6.8 million to 8.1 million). L+7: "The Mysteries of Laura" has increased this season by +39% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.18 to a 1.64) and 1.8 million viewers overall (7.2 million to 9.0 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1.5/5 in 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) retained 100% of the prior week in 18-49 rating (1.5 vs. 1.5) and was up +2% in total viewers (6.3 million vs. 6.2 million). "SVU" pulled within 0.1 of a point of CBS's "Criminal Minds" in the time period in adults 18-49, tied the CBS drama in men 18-49 and outrated it in adults, men and women 18-34. L+3: "SVU" grew by +59% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens (1.50 to 2.38) and by 2.2 million viewers overall (from 6.3 million to 8.5 million). L+7: "Law & Order: SVU" has grown by +68% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.70 to a 2.86) and more than 2.9 million viewers overall (7.6 million to 10.5 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

"Chicago P.D." (1.4/5 in 18-49, 6.2 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) ranked #1 in the time period among the ABC, CBS and NBC dramas in adults 18-49 and other key demos. "Chicago P.D." has now finished #1 or tied for #1 in 18-49 versus the time period's ABC and CBS drama competition with its last 20 regular-slot originals, dating back to November 2014. L+3: "Chicago P.D." grew by +61% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens (1.39 to 2.24) and by more than 2.7 million viewers overall (from 6.2 million to 9.0 million). The increase of 0.85 of a point in L+3 is "Chicago P.D.'s" biggest since Feb. 25. L+7: "Chicago P.D." has grown by +63% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.59 to a 2.59) and 3.2 million viewers overall (6.6 million to 9.8 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Thursday

"Heroes Reborn" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) retained 100% of the previous week's adult 18-49 rating (1.1 vs. 1.1) and grew week to week in men 18-34 (0.7 vs. 0.6) and men 25-54 (1.6 vs. 1.5). These L+SD results will increase dramatically with time-shifting and views on alternate platforms - the prior week's "Heroes Reborn" added more than 900,000 full-episode views (P2+) in seven days on NBC.com and Hulu (904,092). Among adults 18-49, the previous week's episode grew by +109% (to a 2.3 rating) via three days of time-shifting and seven-day alternate-platform viewership ((1.12 rating to a projected 2.34 rating in TAMi estimates). L+3: The prior week's "Heroes Reborn" grew by +76% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens (1.12 to 1.97) and by more than 1.7 million viewers overall (from 4.0 million to 5.8 million). L+7: "Heroes Reborn" has increased this season by +74% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.69 to a 2.94) and 2.7 million viewers overall (5.4 million to 8.1 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

"The Blacklist" (1.4/4 in 18-49, 6.7 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) retained 100% of the previous week's rating in 18-49 (1.4 vs. 1.4). "The Blacklist" beat Fox's "Sleepy Hollow" head to head in the time period by +75% in 18-49 (1.4 vs. 0.8) and maintained 100% of what "The Blacklist" averaged during last May's sweep in 18-49 (1.4 vs. 1.4). These L+SD numbers will increase dramatically with time-shifting and views on alternate platforms: in adults 18-49, the prior week's episode grew by +99% (to a 2.8 rating) via three days of time-shifting and seven-day alternate-platform viewership (1.38 rating to a projected 2.75 rating in TAMi estimates). L+3: The previous week's "Blacklist" grew by +90% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens (1.38 to 2.62) and by 4.0 million viewers overall (from 6.9 million to 10.9 million). L+7: "The Blacklist" is increasing by +96% this season in 18-49 rating (from a 1.66 to a 3.26) and 5.2 million viewers overall (7.4 million to 12.6 million) going from L+SD to L+7. Upscale: "Blacklist" is the season's most upscale drama on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox, and is the #2 primetime series overall on those nets, indexing at a 155 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes ("most current" including L+3). "Blacklist" was also the most upscale telecast on those networks on the prior Thursday, Oct. 15 (130 index, L+SD).

"The Player" (0.8/3 in 18-49, 4.2 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) grew +14% or 0.1 of a point versus last week in 18-49 (0.8 vs. 0.7) and was up +4% in total viewers (4.2 million vs. 4.0 million). "The Player" also increased week to week in men 18-49 (0.8 vs. 0.7), adults 25-54 (1.1 vs. 1.0) and men 25-54 (1.1 vs. 0.9). These L+SD numbers will increase substantially with time-shifting and viewing on alternate platforms: in adults 18-49, the previous week's episode grew by +78% (to a 1.3 rating) via three days of time-shifting and seven-day alternate-platform viewership (0.74 rating to a projected 1.32 rating in TAMi estimates). L+3: The prior week's "Player" increased by +65% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens (0.74 to 1.22) and by more than 1.7 million viewers overall (from 4.0 million to 5.7 million). L+7: "The Player" has grown by +63% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.00 to a 1.63) and 2.4 million viewers overall (4.6 million to 7.0 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Friday

"Undateable" (0.7/3 in 18-49, 2.6 million viewers overall from 8-8:30 p.m. ET) equaled the show's 18-49 average for the last four "Undateable" episodes that did not have a "Voice" lead-in prior to this season (0.7 for June 26-July 3, 2014) and was up +18% in total viewers (2.6 million vs. 2.2 million). L+3: The prior week's "Undateable" grew by +21% in 18-49 (0.89 to 1.08) going from L+SD to L+3 and by 413,000 viewers overall (3.1 million to 3.5 million). L+7: "Undateable" has increased this season by +35% in 18-49 rating (from a 0.79 to a 1.07) and 622,000 viewers overall (2.5 million to 3.2 million) going from L+SD to L+7. Upscale: The prior week's "Undateable" was the most upscale scripted show of the night on the Big 4, indexing at a 118 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (L+SD).

"Truth Be Told" (0.6/2 in 18-49, 2.2 million viewers overall from 8:30-9 p.m. ET) retained 86% of its lead-in from "Undateable" in adults 18-49, up from the prior week's 78%, while holding 89% in adults 25-54 (0.8 vs. 0.9) and +90% in women 25-54 (0.9 vs. 1.0). L+3: The previous week's "Truth Be Told" increased by +28% in 18-49 (0.74 to 0.95) going from L+SD to L+3 and by 455,000 viewers overall (2.6 million to 3.0 million).

"Dateline NBC" (0.9/4 in 18-49, 4.6 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) maintained 100% of the previous week's ratings in adults 18-49 (0.9 vs. 0.9) and adults 25-54 (1.4 vs. 1.4), while growing +4% week to week in total viewers (4.6 million vs. 4.5 million) to hit a three-week high by that measure (best since Oct. 2, 5.7 million). L+3: The prior week's "Dateline" grew by +27% in 18-49 (0.92 to 1.17) going from L+SD to L+3 and by 917,000 viewers overall (4.5 million to 5.4 million). L+7: Friday's "Dateline NBC" has increased this season by +29% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.02 to a 1.32) and 1.0 million viewers overall (5.1 million to 6.1 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Saturday

"Dateline Saturday Night Mystery" (0.8/3 in 18-49, 5.1 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) delivered NBC's biggest overall audience in the time period, excluding sports, since Feb. 21 (5.7 million for "Dateline Mystery") and highest 18-49 rating for non-sports programming in the slot since July 4 (1.0 for "Macy's 4thof July Fireworks Spectacular"). From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Dateline Mystery" grew by +50% in adults 18-49 (from a 0.6 rating to a 0.9), +50% in adults 25-54 (1.0 to 1.5) and +40% or 1.7 million persons in total viewers (4.1 million to 5.8 million).

"SNL Vintage" (0.7/3 in 18-49, 2.9 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET, with an encore of the Sept. 28, 1991 telecast of "Saturday night Live" with host Michael Jordan and musical guest Public Enemy) improved on the prior 10 p.m. "SNL" encore by +75% in 18-49 rating (0.7 vs. 0.4 on Oct. 10, the night of a NASCAR rainout) and +91% in total viewers (2.9 million vs. 1.5 million).

Sunday

NBC Sports coverage of Philadelphia Eagles-Carolina Panthers "Sunday Night Football" (7.6/22 in 18-49, 20.6 million viewers overall from 8:31-11:39 p.m. ET) led NBC to decisive nightlong wins in all key measures, taking the night among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX by an +88% margin in adults 18-49 (6.4 vs. 3.4 for #2 Fox). The 20.6 million made it the most watched NFL primetime regular-season game featuring Carolina since that team joined the league in 1995.

Through the opening seven weeks of the NFL season (eight telecasts), NBC's "Sunday Night Football" is averaging 23.7 million viewers - the best viewership for the NFL's broadcast primetime package at this point in the season in 19 years (24.8 million for ABC in 1996), and up +7% from last year at this time (22.1 million viewers). "SNF" is averaging an 8.7 rating in the adult 18-49 demographic, +5% versus last season at this point (8.3)

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