NBC Finishes as No. 2 Network in Adults 18-49 for the Week

NBC has placed second for the primetime week of June 29-July 5 in adults 18-49, led by "America's Got Talent," the week's #1 primetime non-sports telecast on the Big 4 networks in 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. According to "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, NBC averaged a 1.1 rating, 4 share in adults 18-49 and 4.7 million viewers overall for the week.

Joining "America's Got Talent" among the week's top 20 primetime shows on the Big 4 nets were Monday's "American Ninja Warrior" (#4), Tuesday's "I Can Do That" (tied for #10), Wednesday's "Ninja" encore (#13), Wednesday's "AGT" encore and Monday's "The Island" (tied for #17) and Saturday's "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular" (#19).

In addition to ranking #1 for the week among Big 4 primetime shows in adults 18-49, "America's Got Talent" ranked #1 in total viewers, kids 2-11, teens 12-17, adults and men 18-34, women and men 18-49 and adults, men and women 25-54.

NBC ranked #2 (behind Fox) among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX for the week among adults, men and women 18-49; adults, men and women 18-34; adults, men and women 25-54; kids 2-11 and teens 12-17. NBC matched its year-ago week in adults 18-49 and total viewers.

For the 52-week 2014-15 season to date, NBC ranks #1 among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and is #1 or tied for #1 among those nets in men 18-49 and adults and men 18-34.

In total viewers, NBC is #2 for the season, and running within 7% of its year-ago Olympics-boosted average (8.2 million vs. 8.8 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 June 29-July 5 in adults 18-49 are: Fox, 2.1/9; NBC, 1.1/4; CBS, 0.9/3; ABC, 0.8/3; and CW, 0.2/1. In overall total viewers, the weekly averages were: Fox, 6.7 million; CBS, 5.0 million; NBC, 4.7 million; ABC, 3.5 million; and CW, 0.7 million.

"Most current" averages for the 52-week 2014-15 season to date are: NBC, 2.2/7; ABC, 2.1/7; CBS, 2.1/7; Fox, 1.9/6; and CW, 0.8/3. In overall total viewers, the season averages are: CBS, 10.4 million; NBC, 8.2 million; ABC, 7.7 million; Fox, 5.6 million; and CW, 2.0 million.

NBC highlights for the week of June 29-July 5:

Monday

NBC ranked #1 Monday night among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, total viewers, adults 25-54 and all key adult-male demos.

"American Ninja Warrior" (1.9/7 in 18-49, 6.8 million viewers overall from 8-10:01 p.m. ET) grew +6% week to week in 18-49 rating (1.9 vs. 1.8) and +13% in total viewers (6.8 million vs. 6.0 million) to rank #1 for the night in total viewers and tie for #1 in adults 18-49. In the time period, "American Ninja Warrior" ranked #1 or tied for #1 in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, all key adult-male demos and total viewers.

"Live Plus Three Day" Ratings: "American Ninja Warrior" grew by +19% in 18-49 rating going from "live plus same day" to "live plus three day" Nielsens (from a 1.95 rating to a 2.31) and by 864,000 viewers overall (from 6.8 million to 7.7 million). In L+3, "Ninja" grew week-to-week by +11% in 18-49 (2.31 vs. 2.08) and +16% in total viewers (7.7 million vs. 6.6 million).

"The Island" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 3.3 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) increased by +10% week to week in adults 18-49 (1.1 vs. 1.0). This week's telecast of "The Island" matched the show's highest 18-49 rating since its May 25 debut (1.2) and finished within 0.1 of the show's highest rating to date (1.2 on May 25). In the time period, "The Island" ranked #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults, men and women 18-49 as well as adults, men and women 18-34.

L+3: "The Island" increased by +17% in 18-49 going from L+SD to L+3 ( 1.05 to 1.23). In total viewers, "The Island" grew by 514,000 persons (from 3.3 million to 3.8 million).

Tuesday

"America's Got Talent" (2.5/9 in 18-49, 10.7 million viewers overall from 8-10:01 p.m. ET) ranked as the #1 show of the night in total viewers and the #1 non-sports show in all key measures, delivering the top primetime results on the Big 4, excluding sports, over the prior seven nights in adults 18-49 and total viewers, since the previous telecast of "Talent." It was also the second-highest primetime rating in five weeks on the Big 4 networks in 18-49, excluding sports (second-high since the May 26 "Talent" season premiere [2.6], behind only the May 23 "Talent" [also 2.6] over that span). "America's Got Talent" won the time period among the Big 4 nets in adults 25-54, all key adult-female demos and total viewers. L+3: "America's Got Talent" grew by +23% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens (from a 2.48 rating to a 3.05) and by 1.7 million viewers overall (from 10.7 million to 12.4 million). Upscale: "America's Got Talent" delivered last week's top Tuesday index (101) on the Big 4 networks among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes.

"I Can Do That" (1.5/5 in 18-49, 5.1 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) grew +7% versus the prior week in 18-49 (1.5 vs. 1.4) and by +15% versus two weeks ago (1.5 vs. 1.3). In total viewers, "I Can Do That" was also up for a second straight week. In 18-49 and total viewers, they were the top results for "I Can Do That" since June 9 (1.6 in 18-49, 5.5 million viewers overall). "I Can Do That" won the hour among ABC, CBS and NBC in every key demo, generating an +88% margin of victory among those nets in adults 18-49 (1.5 vs. 0.8 for ABC's second-place "Extreme Weight Loss"). "I Can Do That" was the #2 non-sports show of the night on the Big 4 networks, excluding sports, in all key demographics (including ties for #2 in adults 25-54 and men 25-54), behind only NBC's "America's Got Talent." L+3: "I Can Do That" grew by +14% in 18-49 going from L+SD to L+3 (1.46 to 1.67). In total viewers, "I Can Do That" increased by 599,000 persons (from 5.1 million to 5.7 million).

NBC finished #1 for the night in total viewers, adults 25-54 and all key adult-female demos.

Wednesday

NBC's encore lineup tied for #1 for the night among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 on a night that included two hours each of first-run programming on CBS and FOX and an original hour on ABC.

An encore / recap telecast of "America's Got Talent" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 5.5 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) finished #2 in the time period in total viewers and was the #3 show of the night by that measure.

A rebroadcast "American Ninja Warrior" (1.2/4 in 18-49, 4.3 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) won the time period among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and most other key demos. The "Ninja" rebroadcast grew for a third straight week in total viewers, up +1% versus the prior week (4.333 million vs. 4.283 million), +9% versus two weeks earlier (4.3 million vs. 4.0 million) and +26% versus three weeks earlier (4.3 million vs. 3.4 million). The "Ninja" encore dominated its second hour from 10-11 p.m. versus original competition on ABC and CBS, generating a +63% margin of victory in adults 18-49 (1.3 vs. a 0.8 for ABC's original "Celebrity Wife Swap"). Upscale: The prior week's "Ninja" encore in this slot delivered the most affluent and most educated audience of the night on the Big 4, indexing at a 119 among adults 18-49 in homes with $100K+ incomes and 123 among adults 18-49 with four or more years of college (100 represents an average concentration of those homes).

Thursday

"Food Fighters" (0.7/3 in 18-49, 3.1 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) tied for #2 in the time period among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and other key demos. "Food Fighters" maintained its full rating from half-hour to half-hour in every key demo - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

"Aquarius" (0.4/2 in 18-49, 2.4 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) maintained its rating half-hour to half-hour in nearly all key demos. L+3: The prior week's "Aquarius" increased by +29% in 18-49 going from L+SD to L+3 (0.65 to 0.84). In total viewers, "Aquarius" grew by 776,000 persons (from 3.2 million to 3.9 million).

"Hannibal" (0.4/1 in 18-49, 1.2 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) maintained 100% of its prior 18-49 rating on a night when nearly all other Big 4 shows registered declines. Despite the 10 p.m. hour, "Hannibal" maintained its full rating from half-hour to half-hour in adults 18-49 (0.4 vs. 0.4) and adults 25-54 (0.5 vs. 0.5). For the first time in four weeks, "Hannibal" retained 100% of its 18-49 lead-in. L+3: The prior week's "Hannibal" increased by +45% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (0.40 to 0.58) and by 465,000 persons in total viewers (1.5 million to 1.9 million).

Friday

An encore telecast of "America's Got Talent" (0.7/4 in 18-49, 3.6 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) ranked #2 in the time period among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in adults 18-49 and grew from its first half-hour to its fourth by +50% in adult 18-49 rating (0.6 to 0.9).

"Dateline NBC" (0.9/4 in 18-49, 4.5 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) ranked as the #1 show of the night on the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 (1.3). "Dateline" won the time period among ABC, CBS and NBC in all key demos.

NBC tied for the Friday nightlong win among the Big 4 in adults 18-49 and won the night outright among those nets in adults 25-54.

Saturday

NBC dominated primetime with the "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks® Spectacular" delivering the highest-rated Saturday in 18-49 (0.9) for any Big 4 network, excluding sports, since Feb. 21 (1.0 for NBC's "Dateline Mysteries" and "SNL Vintage"). NBC ranked #1 among the Big 4 networks for the night in every key measure.

"Macy's 4th of July Fireworks® Spectacular" (1.0/6 in 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) grew +20% in 18-49 rating comparing this year's second-hour result from 9-10 p.m. (1.2/7 for that hour) to the rating for the annual special's prior Saturday telecast (1.0/5 for its one hour from 9-10 on Saturday, July 4, 2009) and was up +21% or 1.0 million persons in total viewers (6.274 million from 9-10 last night vs. 5.196 million in 2009). The special was the #1 primetime show of the night in adults 18-49 and other key measures. The 8-10 p.m. original run soared by +100% from its first half-hour to its fourth in adults 18-49 (0.7 to 1.4) and skyrocketed by 4.3 million persons or +123% from its first half-hour to its fourth in total viewers (3.5 million to 7.8 million).

A recap telecast of "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular" (0.9/5 in 18-49, 4.3 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) matched the year-ago 10 p.m. recap in 18-49 and is up +1% in total viewers (4.277 million vs. 4.242 million), despite this year's Saturday airdate. The 10 p.m. recap tied the 8-10 p.m. first-run telecast as the night's #1 primetime show on the Big 4 in 18-49.

Sunday

NBC's 7-11 p.m. ET live coverage of the NASCAR Coke Zero 400, as part of the Sprint Cup Series from the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Fla., was greatly hampered by a night-long rain delay. The race didn't begin until 11:15 p.m. ET.

For the 7-8 p.m. hour, which was officially the pre-race program, the show drew a 0.7/3, with 3.755 million viewers. The 8-11 p.m. three-hour telecast earned an 0.7/2, with 3.271 million viewers. Ratings and total viewers rose in every half hour from 8:30-10 p.m. The race coverage drew its highest rating in the 10-11 p.m. hour with a 0.9/3 and 3.499 million viewers.

WEEKLY AVERAGES
Average rating, share and audience in each category

ADULTS 18-49

FOX 2.1/9, 2.7 million

NBC 1.1/4, 1.4 million
CBS 0.9/3, 1.1 million

ABC 0.8/3, 1.0 million

CW 0.2/1, 0.3 million

Each rating point equals 1.27 million viewers

ADULTS 25-54

FOX 2.4/8, 2.9 million

NBC 1.4/5, 1.7 million

CBS 1.3/4, 1.5 million

ABC 1.1/4, 1.3 million

CW 0.3/1, 0.4 million

Each rating point equals 1.20 million viewers

TOTAL VIEWERS

FOX 2.3/7, 6.7 million

CBS 1.7/5, 5.0 million

NBC 1.6/5, 4.7 million

ABC 1.2/4, 3.5 million

CW 0.2/1, 0.7 million

Each rating point equals 2.95 million viewers

SEASON TO DATE
Average rating, share and audience in each category

ADULTS 18-49

NBC 2.2/7, 2.9 million

ABC 2.1/7, 2.7 million

CBS 2.1/7, 2.7 million

FOX 1.9/6, 2.4 million

CW 0.8/3, 1.0 million

Each rating point equals 1.27 million viewers

ADULTS 25-54

CBS 2.9/8, 3.5 million

NBC 2.8/8, 3.4 million

ABC 2.6/7, 3.2 million

FOX 2.2/6, 2.6 million

CW 0.9/2, 1.0 million

Each rating point equals 1.20 million viewers

TOTAL VIEWERS

CBS 3.5/10, 10.4 million

NBC 2.8/8, 8.2 million

ABC 2.6/7, 7.7 million

FOX 1.9/5, 5.6 million

CW 0.7/2, 2.0 million

Each rating point equals 2.95 million viewers

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