NBC Wins 10th Week in a Row in 18-49, Matching the Net's Longest In-Season Winning Streak in 20 Years

NBC has won the primetime ratings week of Jan. 9-15 among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, led by the week's top primetime telecast on those networks in 18-49 and total viewers, Sunday's Steelers-Chiefs NFL Divisional Playoff game and the top entertainment telecast of the week in both 18-49 and total viewers, "This Is Us."

Joining Steelers-Chiefs football and "This Is Us" among the week's 18-49 top 30 primetime programs on the Big 4 were Tuesday's "The Wall," tied for #10; Wednesday's "Chicago P.D.," tied for #15; Wednesday's "Law & Order: SVU," tied for #17; Thursday's "Chicago Med," tied for #23; and Thursday's "Superstore," tied for #28.

According to "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, the Sunday NFL Playoff game was the week's top primetime program on ABC, CBS, NBC or FOX in every key measure - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, plus total viewers - as well as kids 2-11 and teens 12-17.

NBC has won the last 10 weeks in a row in 18-49, equaling its longest in-season winning streak in 20 years, since a 13-week streak covering the weeks of Jan. 27 to April 21, 1997.

In 18-49, NBC is leading the season by a +35% margin over #2 Fox, with a (2.7 rating versus Fox's 2.0 in "most current" Nielsens. On a percentage basis, that's the biggest advantage 17 weeks into the season over the #2 network for any net in the history of Nielsen's current people meter sample, which dates back to 1987. On a rating-point basis, the 0.7 lead is the biggest margin for any network in 15 years, since NBC led by 0.7 at 17 weeks during the 2001-02 season. The last time any net led through 17 weeks by more than 0.7 of a point was 19 years ago (NBC, +1.3 during the 1997-98 season).

In total viewers for the season to date, NBC is running within 192,000 viewers of perennial total-viewer leader CBS (9.7 million vs. 9.9 million), the narrowest gap through 17 weeks between NBC and CBS in 17 years, since NBC trailed by 9000 viewers during the 1999-2000 season. From late November through early January, NBC won seven weeks in a row in total viewers, its longest in-season winning streak by that measure in 21 years (since an eight-week streak in January-February, 1996).

Counting only entertainment programs season to date (excluding live news and sports), NBC ranks #1 among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and is also #1 in adults 25-54, adults 18-34 and every key adult-female demo.

Week 17 Averages

Adult 18-49 Rating, "L+SD," Jan. 9-15

NBC...2.5

Fox...2.4

CBS...2.2

ABC...1.1

CW...0.3

Total Viewers

CBS...10.3 million

NBC...9.1 million

Fox...7.6 million

ABC...4.5 million

CW...0.9 million

Season to Date, All Programs

Adult 18-49 Rating, "Most Current"

NBC...2.7

Fox...2.0

CBS...1.9

ABC...1.7

CW...0.6

Total Viewers

CBS...9.9 million

NBC...9.7 million

ABC...6.6 million

Fox...6.4 million

CW...1.8 million

Season to Date, Entertainment Programs Only

Adult 18-49 Rating, "Most Current"

Excludes Live News & Sports

NBC...1.8

ABC...1.6

CBS...1.6

Fox...1.5

CW...0.6

NBC highlights for the week of Jan. 9-15:

Monday

"The Celebrity Apprentice" (1.1/3 in 18-49, 3.9 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) tied for #2 in the time period among the Big 4 networks in men 18-49 and women 18-49.

"Live Plus Three Day" Ratings: "Celebrity Apprentice" grew by +19% in 18-49 (1.06 to 1.26 and +657,000 viewers overall (3.9 million to 4.6 million) going from "live plus same day" Nielsens to L+3.

Upscale: "The Celebrity Apprentice" is delivering a strong upscale audience, generating a 121 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).

An encore telecast of "The Wall" (0.8/3 in 18-49, 2.8 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) finished within 0.1 of a point of the time-period lead among ABC, CBS and NBC versus ABC's debut hour of "Big Fan" (0.8 vs. 0.9), and for its second half-hour from 10:30-11 p.m., moves ahead of "Big Fan" in adults 18-49 (0.8 vs. 0.7) and adults 25-54 (1.0 vs. 0.9). Despite the 10 p.m. hour and an encore telecast, "The Wall" held steady or grew half-hour to half-hour in every key measure.

Tuesday

NBC won Tuesday night in every key measure.

"The Wall" (1.7/6 in 18-49, 7.0 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) won the timeslot in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 (tie), adults 25-54 and all key adult-male demos, maintaining 100% of the prior week's strong regular-slot debut in 18-49 (1.7 vs. 1.7), the highest "Wall" rating thus far. In total viewers, "The Wall" grew to its biggest audience to date (+3% week to week, 7.0 million vs. 6.8 million), topping the previous Tuesday's regular-slot debut and two Monday previews, one of which benefited from a high-rated "America's Got Talent" lead-in. This week's telecast increased substantially from half-hour to half-hour in virtually every key measure, including gains of +19% in adults 18-49 (1.6 to 1.9), +21% in men 18-49 (1.4 to 1.7) and +24% in women 18-49 (1.7 to 2.1). Excluding last season's NBC hit "Little Big Shots," this is the most-watched telecast of an in-season first-year alternative series on the Big 4 networks since March 2013.

From 9-10 p.m. ET, coverage of President Obama's Farewell Address was sustaining and will not be included in nightlong or weeklong averages.

"This Is Us" (3.0/11 in 18-49, 10.5 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET and 9-10 p.m. PT with a 10-11 p.m. PT replay) set a new series record in 18-49 and ranked for a ninth straight telecast as Tuesday's #1 entertainment show of the night in 18-49 on the Big 4. The 3.0 made it NBC's top-rated scripted show in the time period in nearly seven years (since "Parenthood," 3.1 on March 2, 2010) and the 10.5 million viewers made it NBC's most-watched scripted show in the timeslot in more than seven years (since "Law & Order: SVU," 11.6 million on June 2, 2009). L+3: "Us" increased by +54% in 18-49 (3.02 to 4.64) and more than +4.2 million viewers overall (10.5 million to 14.7 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. The 4.64 in 18-49 is a new series record in L+3, breaking the previous high of a 4.49 set with the show's prior original on Dec. 6. The gains of +1.62 in 18-49 rating and 4.253 million viewers overall are the biggest L+3 lifts of the night on the Big 4 networks. Upscale: "This Is Us" is delivering a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 140 among adults 18-49 living in $100K+ homes.

Wednesday

"Blindspot" averaged a 1.0/4 in 18-49 and 5.0 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET. L+3: "Blindspot" grew by +59% in 18-49 (1.00 to 1.59) and +2.0 million viewers overall (5.0 million to 7.0 million) going from L+SD to L+3 ratings. Upscale: "Blindspot" is delivering a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 120 among adults 18-49 in $100K+ homes

"Law & Order: SVU" (1.4/5 in 18-49, 6.0 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) apprehended the show's biggest audience since Sept. 28 (6.1 million) and tied for #2 in the slot among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49. "SVU" built on its lead-in by +40% in 18-49 and +21% in total viewers. L+3: "SVU" grew +60% in 18-49 (1.40 to 2.24) and +2.4 million viewers overall (6.0 million to 8.4 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. The +60% increase in 18-49 is the biggest L+3 lift of the night.

"Chicago P.D." (1.5/5 in 18-49, 6.6 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) equaled the show's best Wednesday 18-49 rating since its Sept. 21 season premiere (1.6) locked up its most-watched Wednesday episode since that same Sept. 21 season debut (6.9 million). "P.D." won the slot among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and nearly all other key demos. L+3: "P.D." increased by +56% in 18-49 (1.47 to 2.30) and +3.1 million viewers overall (6.6 million to 9,7 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. The gain of +3.1 million viewers is the biggest L+3 lift of the night.

Thursday

"Superstore" (1.2/5 in 18-49, 4.3 million viewers overall from 8-8:30 p.m. ET) maintained100% of its 18-49 rating week to week to tie for #2 in the time period among the Big 4 networks and equal the show's highest regular-slot rating since Oct. 27 (1.3). L+3: "Superstore" increased by +37% in 18-49 (1.21 to 1.66) and +1.1 million viewers overall (4.3 million to 5.4 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. Upscale: "Superstore" is delivering a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 116 among adults 18-49 in $100K+ homes.

"The Good Place" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 3.6 million viewers overall from 8:30-9 p.m. ET) increased by +10% week to week in 18-49 (1.1 vs. 1.0) and +3% in total viewers (3.6 million vs. 3.5 million). L+3: "Good Place" grew by +50% in 18-49 (1.07 to 1.61) and more than +1.3 million viewers overall (3.6 million to 5.0 million) going from L+SD to L+3 ratings. Upscale: "Good Place" is generating a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 131 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (100 represents an average concentration of those homes).

"Chicago Med" (1.3/4 in 18-49, 6.9 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) won the slot in total viewers and tied for #1 in 18-49. "Med" grew +8% week to week in 18-49 (1.3 vs. 1.2) and +10% in total viewers (6.9 million vs. 6.2 million), to capture its most-watched episode since Oct. 27. L+3: "Med" grew +53% in 18-49 (1.28 to 1.96) and +2.6 million viewers overall (6.9 million to 9.5 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens.

"The Blacklist" (1.0/4 in 18-49, 5.3 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) tied for #1 in the slot among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49, while maintaining 100% week to week in 18-49 (1.0 vs. 1.0) and increasing in total viewers by +3% (5.341 million vs. 5.210 million). L+3: "Blacklist" increased by +76% in 18-49 (1.02 to 1.80) and +3.3 million viewers overall (5.3 million to 8.6 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens, for the biggest L+3 lifts of the night in 18-49 percentage and total viewers. Upscale: "Blacklist" is delivering a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 126 among adults 18-49 in $100K+ homes.

Friday

"Grimm" (0.8/3 in 18-49, 4.2 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) increased by +12% versus last season's second episode in total viewers (4.241 million vs. 3.783 million at 9 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2015). L+3: "Grimm" increased by +73% in 18-49 (0.80 to 1.38) and more than +1.7 million viewers overall (4.2 million to 6.0 million) going from L+SD to L+3 ratings. In L+3, "Grimm" grew +10% versus the prior week's season premiere (1.38 vs. 1.26). The +73% gain in 18-49 is the biggest of the night on the Big 4 networks. L+7: "Grimm" first-runs grew by +89% last season in 18-49 rating (from a 0.89 to a 1.68) and +2.3 million viewers overall (4.0 million to 6.3 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

"Emerald City" (0.8/3 in 18-49, 3.2 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) retained 100% of its lead-in in adults 18-49 (0.8 vs. 0.8) and grew in adults 18-34 (0.6 vs. 0.5) to tie for #2 in the time period among the Big 4 networks in 18-34. L+3: "Emerald City" grew +61% in 18-49 (0.79 to 1.27) and +1.4 million viewers overall (3.2 million to 4.6 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens.

"Dateline NBC" (0.7/3 in 18-49, 1.0 in adults 25-54, 3.5 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) maintained or increased its rating half-hour to half-hour in every key ratings measure despite the 10 p.m. hour. L+7: "Dateline" is growing by +31% this season in 18-49 rating (from a 0.99 to a 1.30) and +1.2 million viewers overall (5.0 million to 6.2 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Saturday

"Dateline Saturday Night Mystery" (0.7/2 in 18-49, 1.0 in 25-54, 4.1 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) equaled the show's highest rating since April 9 in 18-49 (0.8), maintaining 100% of its prior telecast in 18-49 (0.7 vs. 0.7 on Nov. 12), 91% in adults 25-54 (1.0 vs. 1.1) and 99.7% in total viewers (4.077 million vs. 4.088 million). From its first half-hour to its fourth "Dateline Mystery" increased by +50% in adults 18-49 (from a 0.6 rating to a 0.9), by +63% in adults 25-54 (0.8 to 1.3) and by +41% or 1.4 million persons in total viewers (3.3 million to 4.7 million).

"SNL Vintage" (0.7/2 in 18-49, 3.1 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET, with an encore of the Nov. 18, 1978 telecast of "Saturday Night Live" with host Carrie Fisher and musical guest The Blues Brothers) maintained 100% of the prior "SNL Vintage" encore in this slot in 18-49 rating (0.7 vs. 0.7 on Dec. 10) and grew +4% in total viewers (3.1 million vs. 3.0 million).

Sunday

NBC Sports coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers-Kansas City Chiefs NFL Playoff Game (12.0/35 in 18-49, 37.1 million viewers overall from 8:20-11:19 p.m. ET) won the night in every key measure - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, plus total viewers. The game ranks at the most-watched primetime NFL telecast ever in the league's Divisional or Wild Card Playoff rounds. The 37.1 million average tops the prior record set three years ago with NBC's Saints-Eagles NFC Wild Card telecast on Jan. 4, 2014 (34.4 million). Sunday's viewership peaked during the 9-9:30 p.m. ET half-hour with 39.1 million persons.

Image courtesy of NBC.