NBC Shares Ratings Results For Primetime Week 3/19-3/25

NBC has tied for #2 for the primetime ratings week of March 19-25 among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and has finished #2 outright in total viewers, behind only CBS, which was boosted by coverage of the NCAA BASKETBALL tournament. Excluding sports, NBC tied for #1 for the week in 18-49.

NBC's Monday and Tuesday editions of "The Voice" were the #2 and #3 non-sports telecasts of the week on ABC, CBS, NBC or FOX in adults 18-49 and total viewers.

According to "live plus same day" figures from Nielsen Media Research, those editions of "The Voice" were joined among the week's top-30 Big 4 non-sports programs in 18-49 by Wednesday's "Law & Order: SVU" (tied for #12), "Chicago P.D." (tied for #15), "Chicago Fire" and "Chicago Med" (tied for #18), "Rise" and "Superstore" (tied for #21) and "Good Girls" (tied for #27).

In adults 18-49, NBC is dominating the current primetime season, with leads over #2 FOX and CBS of +0.8 of a rating point or +50% (2.4 vs. 1.6). The +50% advantage is the best for any #1 network at this point in the season in the 30-year history of Nielsen's current people-meter sample.

Season to date, NBC is also running #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in every other key ratings measure, including total viewers, for the first time since 2001-02. Excluding all sports, NBC is running closer to CBS at this point in the season in total viewers than it's been in 15 years, since 2002-03 (currently within 1.5 million total viewers of CBS excluding sports, best since the gap was 795,000 in 2002-03).

Counting entertainment programming only, NBC leads the season in adults 18-49, and also ranks #1 among the Big 4 in adults 25-54, adults 18-34 (tie), men 18-49 (tie), women 18-49 and women 25-54.

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 26 Averages

Adult 18-49 Rating, "live plus same day," March 19-25

CBS...1.5

ABC...1.0

NBC...1.0

Fox...0.7

CW...0.3

Total Viewers

CBS...7.5 million

NBC...5.3 million

ABC...4.8 million

Fox...2.7 million

CW...0.9 million

Season-to-Date Averages

Adult 18-49 Rating, "Most Current"

NBC...2.4

Fox...1.6

CBS...1.6

ABC...1.5

CW...0.6

Total Viewers

NBC...9.7 million

CBS...9.0 million

ABC...5.9 million

Fox...5.3 million

CW...1.7 million

NBC highlights for the week of March 19-25:

Monday

NBC won Monday night in total viewers among the Big 4 for a sixth consecutive week and for a fifth time in six weeks in 18-49.

"The Voice" (2.3/9 in 18-49, 10.7 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) ranked as the #1 show of the night in 18-49 and total viewers. "Voice" increased its margin over "American Idol" from the prior week's +33% in 18-49 rating (2.4 vs. 1.8) to +44% (2.3 vs. 1.6), while virtually matching the comparable year-ago telecast in 18-49 (2.3 vs. 2.4 on March 20, 2017) and topping it in total viewers (10.8 million vs. 10.7 million).

"Live Plus Three Day" Ratings: "Voice" increased by +18% in 18-49 (from a 2.28 rating to a 2.70) and more than +1.6 million viewers overall (10.7 million to 12.4 million) going from "live plus same day" Nielsens to L+3.

"Live Plus Seven Day" Ratings: Monday's "The Voice" has grown by +25% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 2.17 to a 2.72) and +2.0 million viewers overall (10.4 million to 12.4 million). When projected 35-day non-linear viewing is included, the "Voice" 18-49 rating increases to a 3.29.

Upscale: "The Voice" is delivering a solid upscale audience, generating a 108 index among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (with 100 representing an average concentration of those homes, according to "most current" Nielsens, including L+3).

"Good Girls" (1.0/4 in 18-49, 3.9 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) ranked #2 in the hour among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49, while retaining 100% week to week in 18-49 (1.0 vs. 1.0). L+3:"Good Girls" grew by +42% in 18-49 (0.96 to 1.36) and +1.3 million viewers overall (3.9 million to 5.2 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. The +0.40 gain in 18-49 is the biggest "Good Girls" L+3 lift to date.

Tuesday

NBC won the night among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and every other key ratings measure, for NBC's 20th consecutive Tuesday win in 18-49 among the Big 4.

"The Voice" (2.2/9 in 18-49, 10.9 million viewers overall from 8-9:01 p.m. ET) finished as the #1 show of the night in adults 18-49 and total viewers and won the time period among the Big 4 nets in very key ratings measure. "Voice" finished within 0.1 of the prior week's rating in 18-49 (2.2 vs. 2.3) and retained 98% in total viewers (11.0 million vs. 11.2 million, which was the most-watched Tuesday "Voice" in the past year, since March 14, 2017). L+3: "Voice" grew by +16% in 18-49 (2.17 to 2.52) and +1.3 million viewers overall (10.9 million to 12.2 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: Tuesday's "Voice" has increased by +24% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 2.06 to a 2.55) and +1.8 million viewers overall (10.3 million to 12.1 million). With the addition of projected 35-day non-linear ratings, the Tuesday "Voice" 18-49 figure grows to a 3.19. Upscale: Tuesday's "Voice" is generating a solid upscale audience this season, indexing at a 108 among adults 18-49 in $100K+ homes.

The regular-slot premiere of "Rise" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 5.3 million viewers overall from 9:01-10 p.m. ET) rated within 0.1 of a point in 18-49 of the prior week's 10 p.m. series debut (1.1 vs. 1.2), which benefited from a "This Is Us" lead-in, and retained 98% in total viewers (5.4 million vs. 5.5 million). Rise" won the slot among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and most other key demos, while growing +10% versus NBC's timeslot average last season excluding "This Is Us" and "The Voice" in 18-49 (1.1 vs. 1.0) and +21% in total viewers (5.4 million vs. 4.5 million). L+3: "Rise" increased by +31% in 18-49 (1.09 to 1.43) and +1.2 million viewers overall (5.3 million to 6.6 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. Upscale: "Rise" is generating a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 124 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes. Among adults 18-49 with four or more years of college, "Rise" is indexing at a 142 and ranks #6 among primetime series on the Big 4 networks.

"Chicago Med" (1.2/5 in 18-49, 6.8 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) won the slot among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49, total viewers and all other key measures. L+3: "Med" grew by +61% in 18-49 (1.18 to 1.90) and +3.1 million viewers overall (6.8 million to 9.9 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens, for the biggest L+3 lifts of the night on the night on the Big 4 in 18-49 rating and percentage as well as total viewers. L+7: "Med" is increasing by +69% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.33 to a 2.25) and+3.9 million viewers overall (7.0 million to 10.9 million). When projected 35-day non-linear viewing is included, the "Med" 18-49 rating increases to a 2.94.

Wednesday

An 8 p.m. rebroadcast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (0.8/3 in 18-49, 4.8 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) jumped by +21% versus its previous encore in this timeslot in total viewers (4.784 million vs. 4.010 million on Jan. 24).

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1.4/5 in 18-49, 6.5 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) locked up its highest rating since Jan. 17 in 18-49 (1.4) and equaled the "SVU" high since Nov. 29 (1.5), while delivering the show's most-watched episode since Feb. 7 (6.6 million). "SVU" increased by +8% week to week in 18-49 (1.4 vs. 1.3) and +6% in total viewers (6.513 million vs. 6.129 million). L+3: "SVU" grew +44% in 18-49 (1.41 to 2.03) and +2.1 million viewers overall (6.5 million to 8.6 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: "SVU" has grown by +74% this season in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.28 to a 2.23) and more than +2.9 million viewers overall (5.9 million to 8.9 million). When projected 35-day non-linear viewing is included, the "SVU" 18-49 rating increases to a 3.44.

"Chicago P.D." (1.3/5 in 18-49, 6.9 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) captured its highest 18-49 rating since Jan. 17 (1.4) and its top total-viewer result since Feb. 7 (7.2 million), to rank as the night's most-watched scripted program. "P.D." won the timeslot among the ABC-CBS-NBC dramas in every key measure, including a +44% margin of victory in adult 18-49 rating (1.3 vs. 0.9 for CBS' #2 "Criminal Minds") and more than +1.6 million persons or +31% in total viewers (6.9 million vs. 5.3 million for "Criminal Minds"). "P.D." grew +8% week to week in 18-49 (1.3 vs. 1.2) and +6% in total viewers (6.9 million vs. 6.5 million) and has now won the slot or tied for #1 versus regular ABC and CBS competition with its last 34 straight original telecasts in 18-49 (L+SD). L+3: "P.D." grew by +60% in 18-49 (1.27 to 2.03) and more than +3.1 million viewers overall (6.9 million to 10.1 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: "Chicago P.D." is increasing by +88% in 18-49 rating this season going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.20 to a 2.26) and +4.1 million viewers overall (6.4 million to 10.5 million). With the addition of projected 35-day non-linear ratings, the "P.D." figure grows to a 2.98.

Thursday

"Superstore" (1.1/5 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall from 8-8:30 p.m. ET) earned the show's highest 18-49 rating since Feb. 1 (1.1), increasing by +10% week to week (1.1 vs. 1.0). L+3: "Superstore" increased by +40% in 18-49 (1.09 to 1.53) and +944,000 viewers overall (3.8 million to 4.8 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. Upscale: "Superstore" is delivering a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 120 among adults 18-49 in $100K+ homes.

"A.P. Bio" (0.8/3 in 18-49, 2.8 million viewers overall from 8:30-9 p.m. ET) once again beat the show's 8:30 regular-slot premiere rating of three weeks earlier in 18-49 (0.7 on March 1) and is the only new comedy on the Big 4 this season to equal or beat the 18-49 rating of its regular-slot premiere over each of the following three telecasts. L+3: "A.P. Bio" grew by +38% in 18-49 going from L+SD to L+7 (0.76 to 1.05) and +669,000 viewers overall (2.8 million to 3.5 million). Upscale: "A.P. Bio" is generating a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 131 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes. Among adults 18-49 with four or more years of college, "A.P. Bio" is indexing at a 149 and ranks #2 among primetime series on the Big 4 networks.

A special two-hour edition of "Chicago Fire" (1.2/5 in 18-49, 6.9 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) equaled the show's highest 18-49 rating since its season premiere (Sept. 28, 2017, 1.5) and delivered its most-watched telecast since that same Sept. 28 season opener (7.2 million). "Fire" ranked #1 excluding sports in the two-hour timeslot, ahead of the series premiere of "Station 19" in adults 18-49, total viewers and adults 25-54. L+3: "Fire" grew by +66% in 18-49 (1.22 to 2.03) and +3.2 million viewers overall (6.9 million to 10.1 million) going from L+SD to L+3, for the biggest L+3 lift of the night on the Big 4 networks in 18-49 percentage and total viewers. L+7: "Chicago Fire" is growing by +95% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.11 to a 2.16) and more than +4.0 million viewers overall (6.1 million to 10.1 million) going from L+SD to L+7. With the addition of projected 35-day non-linear ratings, the "Fire" figure increases to a 2.85 in 18-49.

Friday

"Blindspot" (0.6/3 in 18-49, 3.3 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) retained 100% week to week in 18-49 (0.6 vs. 0.6) and 96% in total viewers (3.3 million vs. 3.4 million, which was the show's most-watched episode since Jan. 26). L+3: The prior week's "Blindspot" grew by +73% in 18-49 (0.59 to 1.02) and more than +1.5 million viewers overall (3.4 million to 5.0 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens, for the biggest L+3 lift of the night in total viewers. L+7: "Blindspot" is increasing by +94% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 0.66 to a 1.28) and +2.2 million viewers overall (3.4 million to 5.6 million). When projected 35-day non-linear viewing is included, the "Great News" 18-49 rating grows to a 2.05. Upscale: "Blindspot" is generating a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 116 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (with 100 representing an average concentration of those homes).

"Taken" (0.4/2 in 18-49, 2.9 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) ranked #1 among non-sports programs on ABC, NBC and FOX in the timeslot in total viewers. L+3: The previous week's "Taken" grew by +41% in 18-49 (0.46 to 0.65) and +1.2 million viewers overall (3.2 million to 4.4 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens.

"Dateline NBC" (0.6/3 in 18-49, 0.9 in adults 25-54, 3.8 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) is the #1 non-sports telecast of the night in total viewers. "Dateline" retained 100% week to week in adults 18-49 (0.6 vs. 0.6) and 97% in total viewers (3.8 million vs. 3.9 million). L+3: The prior Friday's "Dateline" increased by +42% in 18-49 (0.64 to 0.91) and +1.2 million viewers overall (3.9 million to 5.1 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. Upscale: Friday's "Dateline" is delivering a solid upscale audience, indexing at a 114 among adults 18-49 in $100K+ homes.

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