NBC Dominates the Week with Two Editions of SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

By: Dec. 02, 2015
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NBC has won the primetime ratings week of Nov. 23-29 among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, total viewers and all other key categories, paced by the top two shows of the week in every key measure, Thursday and Sunday editions of "Sunday Night Football," and top-20 results in 18-49 for "The Voice," "Blindspot," "Chicago Med" and "Chicago Fire."

According to "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, NBC averaged a 3.2 rating, 10 share in adults 18-49 and 10.9 million viewers overall for the week, making this NBC's top in-season week in both measures since it carried the SUPER BOWL the week of Jan. 26-Feb. 1.

NBC won the week among the Big 4 networks in every key category and was up versus the same week last year in all key measures, including gains versus the year-ago week of +10% in adults 18-49 (3.2 vs. 2.9) and +13% in total viewers (10.9 million vs. 9.6 million).

NBC has now won nine of the season's first ten weeks in 18-49 and finished #1 or tied for #1 for 20 of the last 21 weeks, trailing over that span only FOX the week it aired five WORLD SERIES games.

NBC's Thursday and Sunday editions of "Sunday Night Football" ranked #1-2 for the week of Nov. 23-29 among primetime shows on ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in all key categories - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, plus total viewers - as well as kids 2-11 and teens 12-17. Also finishing in the week's top 20 in adults 18-49 were telecasts of "The Voice" on Monday (tied for #5) and Tuesday (tied for #10), Monday's "Blindspot" (#14), Tuesday's "Chicago Med" (tied for #15), and Tuesday's "Chicago Fire" (tied for #15)(rankings exclude sports pre- and post-game shows).

Through the opening 10 weeks of the 2015-16 season, NBC ranks #1 among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and all other key demos (including a tie in women 18-34), while running #2 in total viewers.

NBC is rating within a tenth of a point of its year-ago season average in adults 18-49 (2.9 vs. 3.0, "most current"), is even in adults 25-54 (3.6 vs. 3.6), is up 0.4% in total viewers (10.0 million vs. 9.9 million) and up +6% in men 25-54 (3.6 vs. 3.4).

Primetime averages for the week of Nov. 23-29 in adults 18-49 are: NBC, 3.2 rating, 10 share; CBS, 1.8/6; ABC, 1.3/4; Fox, 1.2/4; and CW, 0.4/1. In overall total viewers, the weekly averages were: NBC, 10.9 million; CBS, 9.1 million; ABC, 6.0 million; Fox, 3.8 million; and CW, 1.3 million.

"Most current" averages for the season to date are: NBC, 2.9/10; CBS, 2.5/8; ABC, 2.2/7; Fox, 2.1/7; and CW, 0.8/3. In overall total viewers, the season averages are: CBS, 11.8 million; NBC, 10.0 million; ABC, 8.0 million; Fox, 6.3 million; and CW, 2.0 million.

November 2015 Sweep

The week included the last three nights of the November 2015 Nielsen sweep, which NBC has won in adults 18-49, marking the network's fourth consecutive November victory.

The four wins in a row represent NBC's longest November streak since the network took four straight from 2000 through 2003, and it equals NBC's longest November winning streak in people meter history dating back to 1987.

NBC won the sweep in 18-49 by a +22% margin (with a 2.2 rating vs. a 1.8 each for #2 CBS and Fox, "live plus same day"), the biggest percentage win for any network in a November sweep in 19 years (since 1996, +22% for NBC over #2 ABC) and matching the biggest November margin for any network in 28 years (since 1987, +29% for NBC over #2 ABC). Last year's NBC margin for the full 28 nights was +15% (2.3 vs. 2.0 for #2 ABC).

According to "live plus same day" results from Nielsen Media Research for the 28-night period (Thursday, Oct. 29 through Wednesday, Nov. 25), NBC ranked #1 among the Big 4 networks in every key demographic - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 - including a tie in women 18-34, while ranking #2 in total viewers.

NBC retained 96% of its year-ago November average in adults 18-49 (2.2 vs. 2.3 for November 2014, L+SD), while retaining 100% in adults 25-54 (a first-place 2.8 vs. last year's 2.8) and 99.9% in total viewers (8.014 million vs. 8.022 million).

NOVEMBER SWEEP AVERAGES

Through 28 of 28 Nights, Oct. 29-Nov. 25, L+SD

Net... Adult 18-49 Rating...Total Viewers

NBC...2.2...8.014 million

CBS...1.8...9.521 million

ABC...1.7...6.845 million

Fox...1.8...5.925 million

CW...0.5...1.446 million

Among Big 4 regular schedules, NBC ranks #1 in 18-49 for the sweep on Mondays (with a 2.7 rating average), Tuesdays (2.1) and Sundays (6.4).

For the November sweep, "Sunday Night Football" was the #1 primetime series on the Big 4 in adults 18-49 (7.5 rating, "live plus same day") and also ranks #1 in total viewers, adults 18-34, adults 25-54, all key adult-male demos and kids 2-11.

The Monday edition of "The Voice" is November's #1 alternative series in adults 18-49 (3.0) and most other key demographic.

NBC's "Blindspot" (2.1, L+SD) was the month's top-rated first-year series on the Big 4 in adults 18-49, and "Chicago Med" (2.0) was #2.

Joining "Sunday Night Football" in the November sweep Top 20 among primetime Big 4 series are Monday's "The Voice" (#5), Tuesday's "The Voice" (#7), Monday's "Blindspot" (tied for #13), Tuesday's "Chicago Med" (tied for #15) and Tuesday's "Chicago Fire" (tied for #18). Rankings exclude sports pre- and post-game shows.

In "live plus same day" averages for the 10:30 lead-in to local news, Monday through Friday, NBC tied for #1 during the sweep in the key news demo of adults 25-54, with a 1.8 rating (tied with ABC's 1.8 and ahead of CBS's 1.7). In "most current" results for the season to date, NBC is running #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in the 10:30 lead-in to local news, averaging a 2.8 rating Monday through Friday in the key news demo of adults 25-54, ahead of CBS (2.7) and ABC (2.4).

NBC highlights for the week of Nov. 23-29:

Monday

NBC ranked #1 for Monday night among the Big 4 in 18-49 and nearly all other key demographics, with "The Voice" and "Blindspot" leading six of six half-hours among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in 18-49. It was the 17thMonday in a row that NBC has ranked #1 or tied for #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in 18-49.

"The Voice" (2.6/8 in 18-49, 10.3 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) retained 100% of the comparable telecast of one year ago in 18-49 (2.6 vs. 2.6 on Nov. 24, 2014) and was up +7% in total viewers (10.3 million vs. 9.6 million). "Voice" was the #1 program of the night on the Big 4 in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, adults 18-34 and other key demos.

"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 2.57 rating to a 3.13) and by 1.7 million viewers overall (from 10.3 million to 12.0 million).

Upscale: Monday's "Voice" is delivering a solidly upscale audience, indexing at a 116 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes ("most current," including L+3, 100 represents an average concentration of those homes). This week's telecast was the night's most upscale show on the Big 4 (107 index, L+SD).

"Blindspot" (1.9/6 in 18-49, 7.0 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) ranked as the #1 scripted show and #1 first-year series of the night on the Big 4 in adults 18-49. "Blindspot" ranked #1 in the slot among the ABC, CBS and NBC in every key demographic, and won among those nets by a +58% margin in adults 18-49 (1.9 vs. 1.2 for CBS's #2 "NCIS: LA"). L+3: "Blindspot" grew by +63% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 ratings (1.87 to 3.05) and by 3.7 million viewers overall (7.0 million to 10.7 million), to generate the #1 increases of the night on the Big 4 in 18-49 rating (+1.17), 18-49 percentage (+63%), total viewers (+3.706 million) and total-viewer percentage (+53%). Upscale: "Blindspot" is generating a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 124 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes. This week's telecast was the night's most upscale scripted show on the Big 4 (108 index, L+SD).

Tuesday

"The Voice" (2.1/7 in 18-49, 10.0 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) retained 91% of the comparable third Tuesday live telecast of one year ago (2.1 vs. 2.3 on Nov. 25, 2014) despite special competition this week from ABC's "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving," and grew +6% in total viewers (9.970 million vs. 9.370 million). L+3: "The Voice" increased by +14% in 18-49 (2.09 to 2.38) and 1.1 million viewers (10.0 million to 11.1 million) going from L+SD to L+3. Upscale: Tuesday's "Voice" is delivering a solidly upscale audience, indexing at a 116 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes.

"Chicago Med" (1.8/6 in 18-49, 7.6 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) was up +50% versus NBC's slot average for last season in 18-49, excluding weeks when "The Voice" ran in the time period (1.8 vs. 1.2) and was up +94% in total viewers (7.614 million vs. 3.924 million), despite special competition from ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" finale. In its two weeks on the schedule, "Med" has equaled or topped NBC's two best in-season regular-program ratings in the slot, excluding "The Voice," in the past year (since a 2.0 on Oct. 14, 2014). L+3: "Chicago Med" increased by +34% in 18-49 (1.84 to 2.47) and 2.2 million viewers (7.6 million to 9.8 million) going from L+SD to L+3. In L+3, "Chicago Med" retained 91% of the prior week's premiere 18-49 rating (2.47 vs. 2.72), up from 84% in L+SD (1.84 vs. 2.19). Upscale: "Chicago Med" is delivering a solid upscale audience, indexing at a 110 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes ("most current" including L+3).

"Chicago Fire" (1.8/6 in 18-49, 7.3 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) retained 95% of the prior week's 18-49 rating, despite special competition this week from ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" finale, and 100% in men 18-34 (0.7 vs. 0.7) and men 25-54 (1.7 vs. 1.7), while growing +8% in men 18-49 (1.4 vs. 1.3). "Fire" was up +13% versus its average for last season when airing without a "Voice" lead-in in 18-49 (1.8 vs. 1.6). L+3: "Chicago Fire" grew by +45% in 18-49 (1.83 to 2.64) and 2.9 million viewers (7.3 million to 10.2 million) going from L+SD to L+3.

Wednesday

"The Making of The Wiz Live!" (0.6/2 in 18-49, 2.8 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) matched the comparable year-ago special in adults 18-49 rating (0.6 vs. 0.6 for "The Making of Peter Pan Live!" on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014).

An encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live Thanksgiving" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 4.8 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) equaled the year-ago run of this special in adult 18-49 rating (1.1 vs. 1.1 for "SNL Thanksgiving" on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014) and built from its first half-hour to its fourth by +50% in adult 18-49 rating (0.8 to 1.2), +36% in adults 25-54 (1.1 to 1.5) and +26% in total viewers (3.1 million to 4.0 million).

Thursday

NBC Sports coverage of Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers NFL Football (9.0/31 in 18-49, 27.8 million viewers overall from 8:31-11:48 p.m. ET) led NBC to nightlong wins in adults 18-49, total viewers and all other key measures, taking the night by a +356% margin in adults 18-49 (8.2 vs. 1.8 for #2 CBS). The Bears-Packers game was up +22% versus the year-ago Thanksgiving Night NBC telecast in 18-49 (9.0 vs. 7.4 for Seahawks-49ers on Nov. 27, 2014) and up +21% in total viewers (27.8 million vs. 22.9 million).

The Bears-Packers telecast was the second most watched game in the history of "Sunday Night Football" on NBC, behind only the 2012 Week #17 Cowboys-Redskins game (30.3 million). It's also the most watched Thanksgiving NFL prime game in history (since 2006), topping the previous high set last year (22.9 million) by +21%

Friday

An encore of "The NATIONAL DOG SHOW Presented by Purina," (0.6/2 in 18-49, 3.7 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) improved on the year-ago primetime rebroadcast by 0.1 of a point or +20% in adult 18-49 rating (0.6 vs. 0.5 on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014) and +16% in total viewers (3.7 million vs. 3.2 million).

A rebroadcast "Dateline NBC" (0.9/3 in 18-49, 4.2 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) ranked #2 in the time period among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54. Despite the 10 p.m. hour, "Dateline" held steady or grew half-hour to half-hour in every key measure, including gains of +17% in adults 25-54 (1.2 to 1.4), +11% in men 25-54 (0.9 to 1.0) and +13% in women 25-54 (1.5 to 1.7). L+3: The prior week's "Dateline" grew by +13% in 18-49 (1.16 to 1.31) going from L+SD to L+3 and by 729,000 viewers overall (4.6 million to 5.4 million).

Saturday

"Dateline Saturday Night Mystery" (0.7/3 in 18-49, 4.5 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) delivered its biggest total-viewer result since the show's season premiere on Oct. 24 (5.1 million viewers overall). "Dateline Mystery" grew from its first half-hour to its fourth by +33% in adults 18-49 (from a 0.6 rating to a 0.8), +50% in adults 25-54 (0.8 to 1.2) and +36% or 1.3 million persons in total viewers (3.6 million to 4.9 million).

"SNL Vintage" (0.8/3 in 18-49, 3.0 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET, with an encore of the Nov. 20, 2010 telecast of "Saturday Night Live" hosted by Anne Hathaway with musical guest Florence + the Machine) posted the highest 18-49 rating for a 10 p.m. "SNL" encore since Oct. 3, growing versus the prior week's "SNL Vintage" by +60% in adult 18-49 rating (0.8 vs. 0.5), +43% in adults 25-54 (1.0 vs. 0.7) and +36% in total viewers (3.0 million vs. 2.2 million).

Sunday

NBC Sports coverage of New England Patriots-Denver Broncos "Sunday Night Football" (8.5/24 in 18-49, 25.2 million viewers overall from 8:31 p.m.-12:02 a.m. ET) scored as the most-watched game on the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend in the history of "Sunday Night Football" on NBC (since 2006). It's the fifth "SNF" telecast this season to top 25 million viewers, up from one "SNF" game last season. The Patriots-Broncos game led NBC to nightlong wins in all key measures, with the network winning the night by a +91% margin in adults 18-49 (6.7 vs. 3.5 for #2 CBS).

Through the opening 12 weeks of the NFL season (14 telecasts), NBC's "Sunday Night Football" is averaging 23.3 million viewers - the best viewership for the NFL's broadcast primetime package at this point in the season in 19 years (23.7 million for ABC in 1996), and up +8% from last year at this time (21.3 million viewers). "SNF" is averaging an 8.3 rating in the adult 18-49 demographic, up +6% versus last season at this point (7.8).



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