NBC Wins Week 3 of 2015-16 Season in 18-49

NBC has won Week 3 of the 2015-16 primetime season in the key demographic of adults 18-49, marking the fourth straight year NBC has won each of the opening three weeks of the new season in 18-49. NBC's "Sunday Night Football," the Monday and Tuesday editions of "The Voice" and "The Blacklist" led the way, generating four of the week's top 10 results in 18-49 among primetime shows on the Big 4 networks.

According to "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, NBC averaged a 2.2 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49 and 7.7 million viewers overall for the week of Oct. 5-11.

In a week that included a Tuesday encore recap of NBC's "The Voice" and a rainout of NBC Sports' scheduled coverage of Saturday's NASCAR race from Charlotte, NBC remained #1 in the key 18-49 demographic and also ranked #1 or tied for #1 among the Big 4 networks for the week in adults 18-34, men 18-49 and all key adult-female demos.

"Sunday Night Football" was the #1 telecast of the week on ABC, CBS, NBC or FOX in adults 18-49, total viewers, adults 25-54, adults 18-34 and all key adult-male demos. Joining the NFL telecasts among the week's top 10 primetime shows on those networks in adults 18-49 were Monday's "The Voice" (#5), Monday's "Blindspot" (#9) and Tuesday's "Voice' encore recap (tied for #10). Rankings exclude sports pre- and post-game shows.

It's the 14th consecutive week NBC has ranked #1 or tied for #1 among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, the longest unbeaten streak for any network in six years, since FOX won 17 weeks in a row in 2009 from the week of Feb. 2 to the week of May 25, 2009. The 14-week streak is also NBC's longest in 12 years, since the network finished #1 or tied for #1 for 16 consecutive weeks in 2003 from the week of May 26 through the week of Sept. 8, 2003.

Through the opening three weeks of the 2015-16 season, NBC ranks #1 among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and every other key demo and is #2 in total viewers at this point in the season for just the second time in the last 12 years.

Primetime averages for the week of Oct. 5-11 in adults 18-49 are: NBC, 2.2/7; CBS, 2.1/7; ABC, 1.5/5; Fox, 1.3/4; and CW, 0.6/2. In overall total viewers, the weekly averages were: CBS, 10.3 million; NBC, 7.7 million; ABC, 6.0 million; Fox, 3.7 million; and CW, 1.6 million.

Most current" averages for the season to date are: NBC, 2.7/9; CBS, 2.4/8; ABC, 1.9/6; Fox, 1.8/6; and CW, 0.4/2. In overall total viewers, the season averages are: CBS, 11.3 million; NBC, 9.2 million; ABC, 7.3 million; Fox, 4.9 million; and CW, 1.3 million.

NBC highlights for the week of Oct. 5-11:

Monday

NBC dominated the night in adults 18-49 among the Big 4 networks, winning by a +50% margin, and ranked #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in every key measure.

"The Voice" (3.3/10 in 18-49, 12.2 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) retained 97% of the prior week's result in 18-49 (3.3 vs. 3.4) and as up +1% in total viewers (12.2 million vs. 12.1 million). "Voice" won the slot among the Big 4 in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54, total viewers and nearly all other key measures, including a win over ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" in total viewers. "Voice" jumped +32% versus what the prior cycle was averaging in last May's sweep (3.3 vs. 2.5) and was up +16% in total viewers (12.2 million vs. 10.4 million), despite this week's competition from CBS's "Big Bang Theory" and ESPN's NFL football.

"Live Plus Three Day" Ratings: "The Voice" increased by +21% in 18-49 rating going from "live plus same day" to "live plus three day" Nielsens (from a 3.28 rating to a 3.95) and by 1.8 viewers overall (from 12.2 million to 14.0 million).

"Live Plus Seven Day" Ratings: During premiere week, Monday's "Voice" grew in L+7 vs. L+SD by +25% in 18-49 rating (from a 3.54 to a 4.44) and more than 2.5 million viewers overall (12.4 million to 14.9 million).

Upscale: Monday's "Voice" is delivering a solidly upscale audience, indexing at a 115 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes ("most current," including L+3, 100 represents an average concentration of those homes).

"Blindspot" (2.4/8 in 18-49, 9.1 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) won the slot among the ABC, CBS and NBC dramas in every key measure, equaling the combined ABC-CBS rating in the time period in adults 18-49 and winning the slot among those dramas by a +100% margin (2.4 vs. 1.2 each for ABC and CBS). "Blindspot" was the night's #1 new series and #1 drama, new or returning, in adults 18-49 and was up +50% versus NBC's average in the time period last season in 18-49 (2.4 vs. 1.6). In its three weeks on the schedule, "Blindspot" has generated NBC's three highest ratings in the slot, excluding sports, in 11 months (since Nov. 10, 2014, 2.5 with "The Blacklist"). Upscale: "Blindspot" is tied as the season's most upscale new drama on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox, indexing at a 125 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes.

L+3: "Blindspot" grew by +62% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 ratings (2.44 to 3.95) and by 4.3 million viewers overall (9.1 million to 13.4 million). The +1.51 gain in 18-49 ranks as the second biggest increase for a new fall series this season, behind only the prior week's "Blindspot" (+1.60 for the Sept. 28 telecast). The total-viewer increase of 4.329 million is the biggest lift of the night, ahead of "Big Bang Theory" (+4.177 million).

The prior week's "Blindspot" ranked #1 for that week among new fall series in both L+3 ratings (4.16 in adults 18-49, 13.663 million viewers overall) and increases versus L+SD ratings (+1.60 in 18-49, +4.558 million viewers overall). "Blindspot" was also that week's #1 gainer among all broadcast and cable programs in total viewers (+4.558 million persons) for the second straight week.

L+7: With its Sept. 21 premiere, "Blindspot" increased by +60% in 18-49 rating (from a 3.11 to a 4.96) and 6.0 million viewers overall (10.6 million to 16.6 million) going from L+SD to L+7. The 6.0 million increase was the biggest L+7 lift for any premiere week telecast on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox.

Tuesday

NBC tied for the nightlong win among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, marking the 12thstraight Tuesday NBC has ranked #1 or tied for #1 among those nets.

An encore recap episode of "The Voice" (2.2/7 in 18-49, 8.9 million viewers overall from 8-10:01 p.m. ET) tied as the #1 telecast of the night on the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and was up +5% versus the comparable recap last spring in 18-49 (2.2 vs. 2.1 from 8-10:01 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4) and +3% in total viewers (8.9 million vs. 8.6 million). L+7: The premiere week edition of Tuesday's "Voice" increased by +25% in 18-49 rating (from a 3.49 to a 4.37) and 2.6 million viewers overall (12.3 million to 14.9 million) going from L+SD to L+7. Upscale: Tuesday's "Voice" is delivering a solidly upscale audience, indexing at a 119 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes.

"Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris" (1.3/4 in 18-49, 4.7 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) ranked #2 in the 10 p.m. hour among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 and most other key measures, and tied for #1 in women 18-34. L+3: "Best Time Ever" grew by +17% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens (1.30 to 1.52) and by 534,000 viewers overall (from 4.5 million to 5.0 million). L+7: The Sept. 21 telecast of "Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris" grew by +22% in 18-49 rating (from a 2.09 to a 2.56) and 1.1 million viewers overall (5.9 million to 7.0 million) going from L+SD to L+7. Upscale: "Best Time Ever" is delivering a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 124 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes.

Wednesday

"The Mysteries of Laura" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 7.2 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) ranked #2 in the time period among the Big 4 networks in total viewers. "Laura" was up +10% versus what the show averaged in the time period during last May's sweep in 18-49 (1.1 vs. 1.0) and up +12% in total viewers (7.2 million vs. 6.4 million). L+3: "Laura" increased by +33% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens (1.10 to 1.46) and by 1.3 million viewers overall (from 7.2 million to 8.5 million). L+7: During premiere week, "The Mysteries of Laura" increased by +39% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.22 to a 1.70) and more than 1.9 million viewers overall (7.1 million to 9.1 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1.6/5 in 18-49, 7.0 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) grew week to week by +4% in total viewers (7.0 million vs. 6.7 million). Versus the show's average during last May's sweep, "SVU" was up +7% in 18-49 (1.6 vs. 1.5). L+3: "SVU" grew by +58% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens (1.55 to 2.45) and by 2.4 million viewers overall (from 7.0 million to 9.4 million). L+7: The season premiere of "Law & Order: SVU" grew by +69% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.77 to a 3.00) and 3.1 million viewers overall (8.3 million to 11.4 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

"Chicago P.D." (1.5/5 in 18-49, 6.5 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) ranked #1 in the time period among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and every other key demo (including a tied in men 18-34). "Chicago P.D." has finished #1 or tied for #1 in 18-49 versus the time period's ABC and CBS drama competition with its last 18 regular-slot originals, dating back to November 2014. L+3: "Chicago P.D." grew by +53% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens (1.48 to 2.27) and by 2.5 million viewers overall (from 6.5 million to 9.0 million). L+7: "Chicago P.D." originals last season grew by +68% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.58 to a 2.66) and 3.3 million viewers overall (7.1 million to 10.4 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Thursday

"Heroes Reborn" (1.2/4 in 18-49, 4.4 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) beat NBC's slot average from last season by +20% in 18-49 (1.2 vs. 1.0, L+SD non-sports), while maintaining 88% of the prior week's results in total viewers (4.4 million vs. 5.0 million) and 100% in women 18-34 (0.7 vs. 0.7). These L+SD results will increase dramatically with time-shifting and viewing on alternate platforms - the prior week's "Heroes Reborn" added nearly a million full-episode views (persons 2+) in seven days on NBC.com and Hulu (990,639). Among adults 18-49, the previous week's episode grew by +80% (to a 2.9 rating) via time-shifting (3 days) and 7-day alternate-platform viewership (1.58 rating to a projected 2.85 rating in TAMi estimates). L+3: The prior week's "Heroes Reborn" grew by +56% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens (1.58 to 2.47) and by 1.9 million viewers overall (from 5.0 million to 6.9 million). L+7: The Sept. 24 debut of "Heroes Reborn" increased by +73% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.96 to a 3.39) and 3.1 million viewers overall (6.1 million to 9.2 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

"The Blacklist" (1.5/5 in 18-49, 7.0 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) improved by +7% on the show's average in last May's sweep in 18-49 (1.5 vs. 1.4). "Blacklist" retained 83% of the prior week's season-premiere in 18-49 (1.5 vs. 1.8), held onto 90% in total viewers (7.0 million vs. 7.8 million) and retained 100% in adults 18-34 (0.9 vs. 0.9). L+3: The previous week's "Blacklist" grew by +72% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens (1.83 to 3.15) and by 4.3 million viewers overall (from 7.8 million to 12.1 million). The increases of +72% in 18-49 and 4.3 million viewers were the biggest of the night on the Big 4 nets. L+7: Last season, originals of "The Blacklist" increased by +74% in 18-49 rating (from a 2.35 to a 4.10) and 5.6 million viewers overall (9.5 million to 15.1 million) going from L+SD to L+7. Upscale: "Blacklist" is the most upscale drama so far this season on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox, indexing at a 151 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes. "Blacklist" was also the most upscale telecast on those networks on the prior Thursday, Oct. 1.

"The Player" (0.9/3 in 18-49, 4.4 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) retained 90% of the previous week's results in adults 18-49 (0.9 vs. 1.0), 97% in total viewers (4.4 million vs. 4.6 million) and 100% in adults 18-34 (0.4 vs. 0.4), while growing week to week I men 18-34 (0.5) and men 18-49 (1.0). L+3: The prior week's "Player" increased by +59% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens (0.95 to 1.51) and by 2.1 million viewers overall (from 4.6 million to 6.7 million). L+7: The Sept. 24 premiere of "The Player" grew by +61% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.16 to a 1.86) and 2.6 million viewers overall (4.9 million to 7.5 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Friday

The third season debut of "Undateable" (0.8/3 in 18-49, 2.5 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) matched NBC's top 18-49 rating in the time period in the last 18 weeks (since a 1.0 with "Jurassic Park" on June 5). "Undateable" was up +14% in 18-49 versus the prior episode that did not have a "Voice lead-in (0.7 for the show's first season finale on Thursday, July 3, 2014) and was up +27% in total viewers (2.540 million vs. 1.993 million).

"Dateline NBC" (0.9/3 in 18-49, 4.6 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) grew from its first half-hour to its fourth by +8% in adults 25-54 (from a 1.3 to a 1.4) and +33% in men 25-54 (0.9 to 1.2). For its second hour from 10-11 p.m., tied ABC's "20/20" in adults 25-54 (1.4 rating each from 10-11) and topped "20/20" in total viewers (4.7 million vs. 4.5 million for that hour). L+7: The premiere week edition of Friday's "Dateline NBC" increased by +38% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.04 to a 1.43) and more than 1.1 million viewers overall (5.1 million to 6.1 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Saturday

With the NASCAR race from Charlotte postponed by rain, NBC carried an encore telecast of "The Voice" (0.3/1 in 18-49, 1.6 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) and a "Saturday Night Live" rebroadcast (0.4/1 in 18-49, 1.5 million viewers overall).

Sunday

NBC Sports coverage of San Francisco 49ers-New York Giants "Sunday Night Football" (6.9/20 in 18-49, 19.6 million viewers overall from 8:31-11:39 p.m. ET) led NBC to decisive nightlong wins in all key measures, taking the night among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX by a +123% margin in adults 18-49 (5.8 vs. 2.6 for #2 CBS). The 19.6 million made it the most-watched NFL primetime game facing a Major League Baseball Division Series game in the 21-year history of the current MLB format (since 1995). It's also the second most watched game during the NFL's Week 5 in NBC's 10-year "SNF" history (behind 2011, Packers-Falcons, 22.0 million).

Through the opening five weeks of the NFL season (six telecasts), NBC is averaging 24.4 million viewers - the best viewership for the NFL's broadcast primetime package at this point in the season in 19 years (24.7 million for ABC in 1996), and up +8% from last year at this time (22.5 million viewers). For the first time in the 10-season history of "Sunday Night Football" on NBC, each of the first six games had a larger audience than the corresponding game the prior season. "SNF" is also averaging a 9.0 rating in the adult 18-49 demographic, +3% versus last season at this point (8.7).

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