NBC Ranks #1 For Premiere Week In 18-49 For A Record Seventh Straight Year

NBC has won the opening week of the 2018-19 primetime television season in the key demographic of adults 18-49, led by the week's #1 primetime telecast, "Sunday Night Football"; the #1 entertainment program, "This Is Us"; the #1-2 new shows, "Manifest" and "New Amsterdam"; and the top two alternative shows, the Monday and Tuesday editions of "The Voice."

It's the seventh straight year NBC has ranked #1 or tied for #1 during the season's opening week, the longest streak of Premiere Week #1 finishes in people meter history, dating back to 1987. The second-longest streak was set by ABC with five in a row from 2005 through 2009.

NBC won the week of Sept. 24-30 among the Big 4 nets in nine of nine key demographics - adults, men and women 18-34; adults, men and women 18-49; and adults, men and women 25-54.

In total viewers, NBC finished within 490,000 persons of #1 CBS (8.36 million s. 7.87 million), making this NBC's closest finish to CBS during Premiere Week in 17 years, since NBC won the opening week of the 2001-02 season by +1.017 million viewers.

Extending back into the summer, this is the 16th week in a row NBC has ranked #1 or tied for #1 in adults 18-49.

Weekly ratings are "live plus same day" figures from Nielsen Media Research unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date ratings are averages of "live plus seven day" data except for the two most recent weeks, which are "live plus same day."

Week 1 Averages

Adult 18-49 Rating, "live plus same day," Sept. 24-30

NBC...2.0

Fox...1.6

CBS...1.3

ABC...1.2

CW...0.2

Total Viewers

CBS...8.4 million

NBC...7.9 million

ABC...5.4 million

Fox...5.3 million

CW...0.6 million

NBC highlights for the week of Sept. 24-30:

Monday

NBC won the opening night of the 2018-19 television season among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, total viewers and every other key measure.

The premiere of "The Voice 15" (2.0 rating in 18-49, 9.7 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) jumped +33% versus last spring's finale in 18-49 (2.0 vs. 1.5 from 9-11 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22) and was up +10% in total viewers (9.7 million vs. 8.8 million, scorinng the show's highest Monday rating since March 26 in 18-49 (2.0) and biggest overall Monday viewership since April 9 (9.9 million). "Voice" doubled "Dancing With the Stars" head to head in the timeslot in 18-49 (2.0 vs. 1.0) and prevailed by +2.0 million persons in total viewers (9.7 million s. 7.7 million).

"Live Plus Three Day" Ratings: "The Voice" increased by +22% in 18-49 (from a 2.03 rating to a 2.47) and +1.8 viewers overall (9.7 million to 11.5 million) going from "live plus same day" Nielsens to L+3.

"Live Plus Seven Day" Ratings: Last season, Monday's "Voice" grew by +25% going from L+SD to L+7 in 18-49 rating (from a 2.02 to a 2.52) and more than +1.8 million viewers overall (10.0 million to 11.9 million).

Upscale: Last season, Monday's "Voice" delivered a solidly upscale audience, indexing at a 108 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes.

The series premiere of "Manifest" (2.2 rating in 18-49, 10.4 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) tied as television's #1 highest-rated drama series premiere in 18-49, excluding post-NFL previews, since "This Is Us" debuted two years earlier (2.8 on Sept. 20, 2016). It was also NBC's most-watched drama series premiere since "Blindspot" debuted three years earlier (10.6 million on Sept. 21, 2015) and is NBC's first Monday telecast to grow from a "Voice" lead-in in either 18-49 or total viewers. "Manifest" ranked as the #1 drama on the night in 18-49 and total viewers and won the timeslot among the ABC, CBS and NBC dramas in every key measure. "Manifest" equaled the combined 18-49 ratings of ABC's season premiere of "The Good Doctor" and CBS' season debut of "Bull" (2.2 vs. a combined 2.2). The 10.4 million is NBC's best performance in the Monday 10-11 p.m. timeslot in total viewers, excluding live news and sports, in nearly three years (since "Adele Live in New York City" on Dec. 14, 2015, 11.3 million).

L+3: "Manifest" grew by +68% in 18-49 (from a 2.16 rating to a 3.63) and +5.7 million viewers overall (10.4 million to 16.1 million) going from L+SD to L+3. The +5.7 million viewer lift in L+3 is the biggest for an NBC series premiere in measurement history, which dates back to May 2007, beating the prior record of last year's return of "Will & Grace" (with a L+3 lift of +4.595 million), according to figures from Nielsen Media Research. "Manifest" also ranks #3 among all L+3 lifts for any series debut on broadcast or cable on record, behind only last spring's debut of "Roseanne" (+6.586 million) and the 2014 premiere of "How To Get Away With Murder" (+5.934 million). Additionally, the "Manifest" premiere ranks #4 all-time for biggest L+3 lift among all telecasts on broadcast and cable, premieres or otherwise, behind only the "Roseanne" and "HTGAWM" debuts and the Dec. 17, 2015 episode of "The Big Bang Theory" (+5.888 million).

Tuesday

NBC won the night in every key demo, sweeping 6 of 6 half-hours in 18-49. "This Is Us," "The Voice" and "New Amsterdam" were the #1-2-3 shows of the night in adults 18-49.

The Tuesday premiere of "The Voice 15" (2.2 rating in 18-49, 9.9 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) jumped +47% versus where the show ended last season with its May 22 finale in 18-49 (2.2 vs. 1.5) and was up +13% in total viewers (9.897 million vs. 8.774 million). Tuesday's debut also topped Monday's season premiere by +10% in 18-49 (2.2 vs. 2.0 from 8-10 p.m.) and by +2% total viewers (9.897 million vs. 9.663 million), while dominating the timeslot demographically with wins in nine of nine key demos. "Voice" outrated the season premiere of "NCIS" in adults 18-49 by +57% in 18-49 (2.2 vs. 1.4) and was the night's #1 alternative series by a +144% margin over the 8-10 p.m. telecast of "Dancing With the Stars" (2.2 vs. 0.9). L+3: "Voice" increased by +14% in 18-49 (2.17 to 2.48) and +1.4 million viewers overall (9.9 million to 11.3 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: Last season, Tuesday's "Voice" increased by +23% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.88 to a 2.31) and +1.7 million viewers overall (9.7 million to 11.4 million).

The third season debut of "This Is Us" (3.0 rating in 18-49, 10.5 million viewers overall from 9-10:01 p.m. ET) scored the show's highest rating (excluding February's post-Super Bowl episode) since Oct. 3, 2017 (3.1), to dominate the 9-10 p.m. hour. "Us" beat the #2 show, the series premiere of "FBI" by +131% in 18-49 (3.0 vs. 1.3) and equaled the timeslot's combined Big 4 competition in 18-49 (3.0 vs. a combined 3.0). "TIU" ranked as the #1 show of the night on the Big 4 networks in nine of nine key demographics and scored the highest rating on television for an entertainment telecast in the last five months (since the April 17 "Roseanne," 3.4). L+3: "This Is Us" grew by +43% in 18-49 (2.97 to 4.26) and more than +4.0 million viewers overall (10.5 million to 14.6 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens, for the largest L+3 lifts of the night in adult 18-49 rating and total viewers. Digital: The "This Is Us" season premiere is up +18% versus the year-ago debut episode through five days of non-linear digital viewership, amassing a projected 1.54 rating in adults 18-49 versus the year-ago 1.31. It's the third-best five-day digital performance ever for "This Is Us," trailing the post-Super Bowl telecast on Feb. 4 (1.76) and slightly behind the prior Jan. 23 episode (1.55). L+7: Last season, "This Is Us" increased by +73% in 18-49 rating (from a 3.09 to a 5.36) and more than +6.2 million viewers overall (11.2 million to 17.4 million) going from L+SD to L+7. Upscale: Last season, "This Is Us" generated a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 144 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes.

The debut of "New Amsterdam" (1.8 rating in 18-49, 8.4 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) beat the combined timeslot competition on ABC and CBS (1.8 vs. a combined 1.5) and equaled NBC's highest rating in the timeslot with in-season regular programming in two years, since Week 2 of "This Is Us" (2.6 on Sept. 27, 2016). "New Amsterdam" won the hour in every key demographic and was the #2 drama of the night in adults 18-49 behind only "This Is Us."

The debuting drama jumped +50% versus NBC's timeslot average last season (1.8 vs. 1.2 in 18-49, L+SD excluding sports) and +2.2 million persons or +36% in total viewers (8.4 million vs. 6.2 million). L+3: "New Amsterdam" increased by +46% in 18-49 (1.84 to 2.68) and +3.9 million viewers overall (8.4 million to 12.3 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens, for the #2 biggest lifts of the night in 18-49 rating and total viewers, behind only the gains for "This Is Us."

Wednesday

NBC won Premiere Wednesday in total viewers, growing by more than +1.6 million persons or +27% versus Premiere Wednesday last year in total viewers (7.7 million vs. 6.1 million).

The fourth season premiere of "Chicago Med" (1.2 rating in 18-49, 7.8 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) scored NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the timeslot with regular in-season programming since Oct. 19, 2016 (1.2). In total viewers, it was NBC's top result in the hour with regular in-season fare since Dec. 10, 2014 (8.1 million). Med" increased by +20% versus where the show concluded last season with its May 15 finale (1.2 vs. 1.0 Tuesday from 10-11 p.m.) and was up +2.2 million persons or +38% in total viewers (7.8 million vs. 5.6 million). Despite moving to the lead-off hour on Wednesday nights, "Med" finished within 0.1 of a point of the show's year-ago premiere in the Tuesday 10 p.m. hour with a lead-in from "This Is Us" in 18-49 (1.2 vs. 1.3), while growing +1.6 million persons or +26% in total viewers (7.8 million vs. 6.2 million). L+3: "Med" grew +39% in 18-49 (1.22 to 1.69) and +2.4 million viewers overall (7.8 million to 10.2 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: Last season, "Med" increased by +74% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.21 to a 2.11) and +3.9 million viewers overall (6.6 million to 10.5 million).

The seventh season debut of "Chicago Fire" (1.3 rating in 18-49, 8.1 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) ranked ass the #1 show of the night in total viewers and won the timeslot in total viewers over season premieres of "Modern Family," "American Housewife," "Star" and "Survivor," as well as the season finale of "Big Brother." "Fire" generated its most-watched regular-slot episode since Tuesday, April 26, 2016 (8.2 million) and captured the show's best 18-49 rating since last season's premiere (1.5 at 10 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017). "Fire" rose +30% versus last season's May 10 finale (1.3 vs. 1.0 Thursday from 10-11 p.m.) and was up +2.1 million persons or +36% in total viewers (8.1 million vs. 6.0 million). L+3: "Fire" grew by +41% in 18-49 (1.28 to 1.81) and +2.6 million viewers overall (8.1 million to 10.7 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: Last season, "Fire" grew by +94% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.08 to a 2.10) and +4.0 million viewers overall (6.0 million to 10.0 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

The sixth season debut of "Chicago P.D." (1.2 rating in 18-49, 7.1 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) won the timeslot among ABC, CBS and NBC in total viewers, topping last season's final eight telecasts in total viewers with the show's most watched episode since Feb. 7 (7.3 million). "P.D." also matched its best 18-49 rating since March 21 (1.3). Despite this week's special competition from the "Big Brother" finale and the ABC premiere of "A Million Little Things," "P.D." maintained 100% of the show's finale last spring in 18-49 (1.2 vs. 1.2 on May 9) and jumped +13% in total viewers (7.1 million vs. 6.3 million). L+3: "P.D." increased by +56% in 18-49 (1.17 to 1.83) and +3.0 million viewers overall (7.1 million to 10.1 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens, for the biggest L+3 lift of the night in total viewers. L+7: Last season, "P.D." increased by +87% in 18-49 rating this season going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.20 to a 2.24) and +4.1 million viewers overall (6.4 million to 10.5 million).

Thursday

The third season premiere of "The Good Place" (1.0 rating in 18-49, 3.1 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) scored NBC's highest non-sports rating in the Thursday 8-9 p.m. timeslot since Feb. 2 (1.1) and grew +11% versus NBC's average in the timeslot last season in 18-49 (1.0 vs. 0.9, L+SD non-sports). L+3: Last season, "The Good Place" increased by +71% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.14 to a 1.95) and +1.9 million viewers overall (3.9 million to 5.8 million). L+3: "The Good Place" grew by +58% in 18-49 going from L+SD to L+3 (0.96 to 1.52) and more than +1.4 million viewers overall (3.1 million to 4.6 million). L+7: Last season, "The Good Place" increased by +71% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.14 to a 1.95) and +1.9 million viewers overall (3.9 million to 5.8 million), and with the addition of projected 35-day linear and non-linear ratings, the "Good Place" rating nearly tripled over its L+SD average, growing to a 3.36. Upscale: "The Good Place" generated a strong upscale audience last season, indexing at a 139 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (with 100 representing an average concentration of those homes).

The 20th season debut of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1.1 rating in 18-49, 5.1 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) ruled its second hour from 10-11 p.m. versus the ABC and CBS drama competition, with a margin over those rivals of +50% in 18-49 (1.2 in that hour vs. 0.8 for ABC's "How to Get Away With Murder") and +16% in total viewers (5.5 million vs. 4.7 million for CBS' "S.W.A.T."). "SVU" also prevailed over those dramas in adults, men and women 25-54; men and women 18-49; and adults and men 18-34. For the two-hour time period, "SVU" captured NBC's highest non-sports 18-49 rating in the slot since March 22 (1.2). L+3: "SVU" grew +77% in 18-49 (1.09 to 1.93) and +2.6 million viewers overall (5.1 million to 7.7 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: Last season, "SVU" grew by +74% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.25 to a 2.17) and +2.9 million viewers overall (5.9 million to 8.8 million).

Friday

An encore telecast of Monday's "Manifest" premiere (0.5/3 in 18-49, 3.4 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) tied for #2 in the timeslot among the Big 4 networks in women 18-34

A rebroadcast of Tuesday's "New Amsterdam" debut (0.4/2 in 18-49, 3.2 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) ranked #2 in the timeslot among the Big 4 networks in total viewers ahead of original programming on ABC and Fox.

"Dateline NBC" (0.7/4 in 18-49, 1.0 in adults 25-54, 3.9 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) grew half-hour to half-hour in total viewers, adults 25-54, men 25-54 and all key adult female demographics. "Dateline" ranked as the #1 newsmagazine of the night in total viewers. L+3: The prior Friday's "Dateline" increased by +28% in 18-49 (0.80 to 1.02) and +1.1 million viewers overall (4.8 million to 5.9 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens, for the biggest L+3 lifts of the night on the Big 4 in 18-49 rating and total viewers.

Sunday

NBC Sports coverage of Baltimore Ravens-Pittsburgh Steelers "Sunday Night Football" (6.1/24 in 18-49, 17.9 million viewers overall from 8:23-11:20 p.m. ET) won the night in all key ratings measures - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, plus total viewers. Versus the year-ago Colts-Seahawks telecast, the Ravens-Steelers game is up +5% in 18-49 (6.1 vs. 5.8 on Oct. 1, 2017) and +1.2 million persons or +7% in total viewers (17.9 million vs. 16.7 million).