NBC Ratings: IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE Jumps 25%
A Christmas Eve encore of "It's a Wonderful Life" (1.0/4 in 18-49, 4.5 million viewers overall from 8-11 p.m. ET) jumped +67% versus the movie's earlier telecast this season in 18-49 (1.0 vs. 0.6 on Saturday, Dec. 3) and +22%in total viewers (4.492 million vs. 3.676 million). The telecast grew +25% versus the year-ago Christmas Eve telecast in 18-49 (1.0 vs. 0.8 on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015) and+18% in total viewers (4.492 million vs. 3.805 million), and increased by +50% from its first half-hour to its sixth in adults 18-49 (0.8 to 1.2), +70% in adults 25-54 (1.0 to 1.7) and +53% or more than 1.8 million persons in total viewers (3.6 million to 5.4 million). Ranks #2 for the night among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, total viewers and most other key measures and is #1 in women 25-54. This was NBC's 42nd primetime telecast of "It's a Wonderful Life," directed by Frank Capra and starring Jimmy Stewart, since the movie was brought to broadcast network television in 1994.
The film follows the life of George Bailey (Stewart) from childhood to maturity in the town of Bedford Falls. On what might be his last Christmas Eve, a discouraged Bailey wants to throw his life away. Fortunately, Clarence (Henry Travers), a second-class angel, is sent to show him the value of life. After Clarence gives Bailey a view of Bedford Falls without him, Bailey realizes how precious his life is and gets a second chance. He comes to learn that Clarence was right when he said, "No man is a failure who has friends." The film, which earned Oscar nominations for best picture, director, actor and film editing, was produced and directed by Capra.
In Late-Night Metered Markets Saturday Night, "Saturday Night Live" was preempted by Christmas Eve programming.
NOTE: Primetime results are based on "fast affiliate time period" data from Nielsen Media Research. All ratings are "live plus same day" unless otherwise indicated.
