NBC Tops Week 3 of 2013-14 Primetime Season for 18-49

NBC has finished #1 in adults 18-49 for week 3 of the 2013-14 Primetime season and has now won the opening three weeks of the season for a second year in a row. According to "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, NBC averaged a 2.7 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49 and 8.4 million viewers overall for the week of Oct. 7-13.

Through three weeks of the new season, NBC is up 3% vs. one year ago in 18-49 (with an average 3.1 rating vs. a 3.0, "most current"), rising to its highest three-week average in six years (since 2007).

NBC is leading the season by 0.6 of a point (with a 3.1 vs. second-place CBS's 2.5), the biggest margin for any net three weeks into the season in 10 years (since NBC led by 0.7 of a point in 2003). On a percentage basis, NBC's 24% margin is the biggest lead for any net at three weeks in 12 years (since NBC led by 31% in 2001). NBC is also leading the season among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in all other key demographics.

In total viewers, NBC finished week 3 in second place and is also #2 for the season, its highest total-viewer ranking three weeks into the season in 10 years (since 2003). NBC's season average of 9.5 million viewers is its biggest overall audience three weeks into the season in seven years (since 2006). Versus one year ago, NBC is up 13% season to date in total viewers (9.5 million vs. 8.4 million).

For the week, NBC delivered four of the top 10 Primetime telecasts on ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in adults 18-49: "Sunday Night Football" (#1), Monday's "The Voice" (#3), Monday's "The Blacklist" (tied for #5) and Tuesday's "Voice" recap (tied for #7). Rankings exclude sports pre- and post-game shows. "Sunday Night Football's" 8.4 rating in 18-49 is the highest for any Primetime telecast so far in the official 2013-14 TV season that started Sept. 23.

"Sunday Night Football" was also #1 among last week's Primetime telecasts on the Big 4 in adults, men and women 18-34; men 18-49; adults and men 25-54; and teens 12-17, while Monday's "The Voice" was #1 in kids 2-11. "SNF" and "Voice" tied for #1 among women 18-49.

NBC also won the week among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in adults 18-34 (tied with Fox), adults 25-54, all key adult-male demos, women 18-34 and women 18-49.

Primetime averages for the week of Oct. 7-13 in adults 18-49 are: NBC, 2.7/8; Fox, 2.4/7; CBS, 1.9/5; ABC, 1.8/5; and CW, 0.7/2. In overall total viewers, the weekly averages were: CBS, 9.2 million; NBC, 8.4 million; Fox, 7.5 million; ABC, 7.0 million; and CW, 1.7 million.

Season-to-date averages are: NBC, 3.1/9; CBS, 2.5/7; ABC, 2.3/7; Fox, 2.3/7; and CW, 0.5/2. In overall total viewers, the weekly averages were: CBS, 11.0 million; NBC, 9.5 million; ABC, 8.1 million; Fox, 6.6 million; and CW, 1.3 million.

NBC highlights for the week of Oct. 7-13:

Monday: NBC delivered the night's #1 and #2 ratings on the Big 4 networks with "The Voice" (4.6 rating, 12 share in adults 18-49, 14.6 million viewers overall from 8-10:01 p.m. ET) and "The Blacklist" (3.1/9 in adults 18-49, 11.2 million viewers overall from10:01-11 p.m. ET). NBC won the night among ABC, CBS, NBC & FOX in all key categories for a third week in a row, winning six of six half-hours in 18-49 among those nets, also for a third week in a row (while also leading six of six in total viewers this week).

"The Voice" won its time period among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in every key ratings measure and was #1 for the night on those networks in 18-49, total viewers and other key categories. "The Voice grew from its first half-hour to its fourth by 31% or 1.2 rating points in adults 18-49 (to a 5.1 from a 3.9) and by 19% or more than 2.5 million persons in total viewers (15.6 million vs. 13.0 million).

"The Blacklist" was #1 in The Hour among ABC, CBS and NBC in every key ratings category, with an adult 18-49 margin of +63% Versus ABC's #2 "Castle" (3.1 vs. 1.9). Versus NBC's slot result on the same night one year earlier, "The Blacklist" was up 3% in 18-49 (3.1 vs. 3.0 for the Oct. 8 telecast of "Revolution") and up 40% in total viewers (11.2 million vs. 8.0 million).

"Live Plus Three Day": The Oct. 7 telecast of "The Blacklist" delivered the second-biggest time-shifting increase ever for a broadcast show going from "live plus same day" ratings to "live plus three day," and "Blacklist" now has generated the two highest increases ever and three of the top four. Last week's telecast grew by 4.526 million viewers overall going from its L+SD audience of 11.184 million to a L+3 viewership of 15.710 million. The only program in broadcast-network history to add more was the Sept. 30 "Blacklist," which grew by 5.081 million viewers. Number three on the list is the Oct. 3 telecast of CBS's "Big Bang Theory" (4.398 million) and fourth is the Sept. 23 premiere of "The Blacklist" (4.362 million). In adults 18-49, week three of "The Blacklist" retained 92% of the show's week-two rating in "live plus three day" 18-49 results (4.53 in week two vs. 4.95 in week one, L+3). That Oct. 7 "Blacklist" rose from a 3.09 rating in L+SD to a 4.53 in L+3, a lift of 1.44 rating points or 47%.

"Live Plus Seven Day": In "Live Plus Seven Day" ratings for premiere week, "The Blacklist" added 43% or 1.66 rating points to its next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 rating (to a 5.49 in L+7 from a 3.83 in L+SD) and in total viewers, added 45% or 5.696 million persons (18.279 million vs. 12.583 million).

Tuesday: A recap edition of "The Voice" (3.0/9 in 18-49, 10.2 million viewers overall from 8-10:01 p.m. ET) ranked #1 for the two-hour time period in adults 18-49 and other key demographics and was the #1 show of the night in 18-49. The "Voice" recap matched a comparable year-ago edition in 18-49 rating (3.0 vs. 3.0) and was up 20% in total viewers (10.2 million vs. 8.5 million).

"Chicago Fire" (2.1/6 in 18-49, 7.4 million viewers from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) finished #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in 18-49 in the time period. "Chicago Fire" was up 17% Versus the show's year-ago third episode in 18-49 rating (1.8 on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012) and was up 16% in total viewers (7.4 million vs. 6.4 million).

L+3: In "Live Plus Three Day" ratings last week, "Chicago Fire" added 47% or 0.99 of a point to its next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 rating (to a 3.12 in L+3 from a 2.13 in L+SD) and in total viewers, added 38% or 2.838 million persons (10.267 million vs. 7.429 million). These are the record L+3 lifts for "Chicago Fire" in both 18-49 and total viewers.

L+7: In "Live Plus Seven Day" ratings for premiere week, "Chicago Fire" added 40% or 1.07 rating points to its next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 rating (to a 3.74 in L+7 from a 2.67 in L+SD) and in total viewers, added 40% or 3.521 million persons (12.420 million vs. 8.899 million).

NBC ranked #1 Tuesday night in adults 18-49. For the first time in eight years, NBC has won the opening three Tuesdays of the season among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49.

Wednesday: NBC finished the night within 0.9 of a rating point of #1 (1.4 vs. 2.3 for ABC and CBS), cutting in half a gap that stood at 1.8 rating points on the same night one year ago (1.7 vs. 3.5 for FOX on Oct. 10, 2012).

"Revolution" (1.5/5 in 18-49, 5.4 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) improved by 15% on NBC's time-period result for the same night last year (1.5 vs. 1.3 with comedies) and was up 34% in total viewers (5.372 million vs. 3.997 million).

L+3: In "Live Plus Three Day" ratings last week: "Revolution" added 47% or 0.70 of a point to its next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 rating (to a 2.18 in L+3 from a 1.48 in L+SD) and in total viewers, added 34% or 1.878 million persons (7.326 million vs. 5.448 million).

L+7: In "Live Plus Seven Day" ratings for premiere week, "Revolution" added 59% or 1.08 of a point to its next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 rating (to a 2.90 in L+7 from a 1.82 in L+SD) and in total viewers, added 41% or 2.796 million persons (9.603 million vs. 6.807 million).

"Law & Order: SVU" (1.6/4 in 18-49, 6.2 million viewers overall from 9-10:01 p.m. ET) matched the year-ago rating for its third episode of the fall (1.6 on Oct. 17, 2012) and virtually matched that telecast's total-viewer result (6.241 million last night vs. 6.245 million last year).

L+3: In "Live Plus Three Day" ratings last week: "Law & Order: SVU" added 46% or 0.74 of a point to its next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 rating (to a 2.35 in L+3 from a 1.61 in L+SD) and in total viewers, added 30% or 1.896 million persons (8.208 million vs. 6.312 million).

L+7: In "Live Plus Seven Day" ratings for premiere week, "Law & Order: SVU" added 41% or 1.11 rating points to its next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 rating (to a 3.79 in L+7 from a 2.68 in L+SD) and in total viewers, added 30% or 2.849 million persons (12.433 million vs. 9.584 million).

Week two of "Ironside" (1.1/3 in adults 18-49, 5.2 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) finished within 0.2 of a point of last week's series-premiere 1.3, which is the smallest decline in rating point from week 1 to week 2 for any new drama on ABC, CBS, NBC or FOX so far this fall.

L+3: Last week's "Ironside" added 33% or 0.35 of a point to its next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 rating (to a 1.42 in L+3 from a 1.07 in L+SD) and in total viewers, added 30% or 1.551 million persons (6.733 million vs. 5.182 million).

Thursday: "Parks and Recreation" (1.2/4 in 18-49, 3.2 million viewers overall from 8-8:31 p.m. ET) maintained 100% of the prior week's 18-49 rating and was up 3% in total viewers (3.2 million vs. 3.2 million). L+7: In "Live Plus Seven Day" ratings for premiere week, "Parks and Recreation" added 57% or 0.73 of a point to its next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 rating (to a 2.00 in L+7 from a 1.27 in L+SD) and in total viewers, added 40% or 1.296 million persons (4.566 million vs. 3.270 million).

"Welcome to the Family" averaged a 0.8/2 in 18-49 and 2.5 million viewers overall from 8:31-9:01 p.m. ET. "WTTF" retained 77% of its total-viewer lead-in from "Parks."

"Sean Saves the World" (1.0/3 in 18-49, 3.3 million viewers overall from 9:01-9:31 p.m. ET) built by 0.2 of a point or 25% on its lead-in in 18-49 and by 31% in total viewers.

"The Michael J. FOX Show" (1.2/3 in 18-49, 3.9 million viewers overall from 9:31-10:01 p.m. ET) built by 0.2 of a point or 20% on its lead-in. The 1.2 rating in 18-49 was down just 0.2 Versus NBC's 1.4 October regular-program average in the time period last year, and in total viewers, "The Michael J. FOX Show" was up 12% (3.9 million vs. 3.4 million) Versus the net's slot average last October with regulars. L+7: In "Live Plus Seven Day" ratings for premiere week, "The Michael J. FOX Show" added 45% or 0.98 of a point to its next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 rating (to a 3.14 in L+7 from a 2.16 in L+SD) and in total viewers, added 39% or 2.895 million persons (10.398 million vs. 7.503 million).

From 10:01-11 p.m., "Parenthood" (1.2/3 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall) was up 20% Versus NBC's average in the time period last season (1.2 vs. 1.0). L+7: In "Live Plus Seven Day" ratings for premiere week, "Parenthood" added 66% or 1.08 rating points to its next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 rating (to a 2.71 in L+7 from a 1.63 in L+SD) and in total viewers, added 55% or 2.766 million persons (7.822 million vs. 5.056 million).

Friday: "Dateline NBC" (1.2/4 in 18-49, 5.3 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) grew steadily throughout its time period and increased by 44% in 18-49 rating from its first half-hour to its fourth (to a 1.3 from a 0.9), by 20% in total viewers (5.7 million vs. 4.7 million) and by 46% in adults 25-54 (1.9 vs. 1.3).

Sunday: "Sunday Night Football" (8.4/22 in 18-49, 22.1 million viewers overall from 8:31-11:25 p.m. ET), featuring the Washington Redskins at the Dallas Cowboys, ranked #1 for the night on ABC, CBS and FOX in all key measures - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, plus total viewers -- and led NBC to the nightlong win among those nets in each of those key categories.

The Redskins-Cowboys game delivered the biggest overall audience for an NFL Primetime telecast Versus a baseball League Championship Series since Monday, Oct. 14, 1996 (San Francisco-Green Bay, ABC) and biggest 18-49 rating for a prime NFL game Versus an LCS since Monday, Oct. 13, 1997 (Dallas-Washington, ABC).

Sunday's game also set new week-six records for NBC's "Sunday Night Football" in total viewers and 18-49 and is the top week-six NFL prime telecast since Monday, Oct. 7, 1996 (Pittsburgh-Kansas City, ABC).

WEEKLY AVERAGES
Average rating, share and audience in each category

ADULTS 18-49

NBC 2.7/8, 3.4 million

FOX 2.4/7, 3.1 million

CBS 1.9/5, 2.4 million

ABC 1.8/5, 2.3 million

CW 0.7/2, 0.9 million

Each rating point equals 1.27 million viewers

ADULTS 25-54

NBC 3.2/8, 3.9 million

FOX 2.8/7, 3.3 million

CBS 2.6/7, 3.1 million

ABC 2.3/6, 2.8 million

CW 0.7/2, 0.8 million

Each rating point equals 1.20 million viewers

TOTAL VIEWERS

CBS 3.1/8, 9.2 million

NBC 2.9/8, 8.4 million

FOX 2.5/7, 7.5 million

ABC 2.4/6, 7.0 million

CW 0.6/1, 1.7 million

Each rating point equals 2.95 million viewers

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

ADULTS 18-49

NBC 3.1/9, 3.9 million

CBS 2.5/7, 3.1 million

FOX 2.3/7, 3.0 million

ABC 2.3/7, 3.0 million

CW 0.5/2, 0.7 million

Each rating point equals 1.27 million viewers

ADULTS 25-54

NBC 3.7/10, 4.4 million

CBS 3.3/9, 4.0 million

ABC 2.8/7, 3.4 million

FOX 2.6/7, 3.1 million

CW 0.5/1, 0.6 million

Each rating point equals 1.20 million viewers

TOTAL VIEWERS

CBS 3.7/10, 11.0 million

NBC 3.2/9, 9.5 million

ABC 2.7/7, 8.1 million

FOX 2.2/6, 6.6 million

CW 0.4/1, 1.3 million

Each rating point equals 2.89 million viewers