NBC's CHRISTMAS IN ROCKEFELLER CENTER Grows Year-to-Year

NBC won Wednesday night among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in adults 18-49, the network's fourth consecutive nightly win (Dec. 1-4), paced last night by the top-rated "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" in seven years and a "Saturday Night Live Christmas" special that hit a 10-week slot high for NBC.

From 8-9 p.m. ET, "Christmas In Rockefeller Center" (2.3/7 in 18-49, 9.9 million viewers overall) grew versus last year by 10% in adults 18-49 (to a 2.3 rating from a 2.1), to achieve the annual special's top rating since 2006 (2.6). Versus two years ago, "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" is up 21% (2.3 vs. 1.9). It's the fourth year in a row the special has maintained or increased its year-ago 18-49 rating. In total viewers, "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" is up versus last year by 8% (9.865 million vs. 9.139 million) to the annual telecast's top result since 2010 (11.3 million).

The 2.3 is NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period since a "Voice" Wednesday edition on May 8 earned a 2.8. "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" ranked #2 in the competitive slot among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in adults 18-49 and finished #1 in adults 18-34, women 18-34 and women 18-49. The 9.9 million is NBC's biggest overall audience in the time slot since another "Voice" telecast on Nov. 7, 2012 (10.2 million).

From 9-11 p.m. ET, "Saturday Night Live Christmas" (2.6/7 in adults 18-49, 7.4 million viewers overall) won the two-hour time period among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in every key demographic - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54. The "SNL" special is up versus NBC's average in the time period last season by 53% in adults 18-49 (with a 2.6 rating vs. a 1.7, "live plus same day" non-sports) and up 25% in total viewers (7.404 million vs. 5.935 million).

The 18-49 and total-viewer results are NBC's best in the time period since Sept. 25 ("SVU" season premiere, 2.7 in 18-49, 9.6 million viewers overall).

NBC is #1 among the Big 4 for the night in adults 18-49 and every other key demo.

In Late-Night Metered Markets Wednesday night:

In Nielsen's 56 metered markets, household results were: "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," 2.4/6 with an encore telecast; CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman," 2.3/6 with an encore; and ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 2.2/6.

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, adult 18-49 results were: "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," 0.7/4 with an encore; "Late Show," 0.6/3 with an encore; and "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 0.8/4.

From 12:35-1:05 a.m. ET, ABC's "Nightline" averaged a 1.3/5 in metered-market households and a 0.5/3 in 18-49 in the Local People Meters.

From 12:35-1:35 a.m. ET, "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" (1.3/5 in metered-market households with an encore) beat CBS's first-run "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (1.1/4). In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Late Night" (0.4/3 in 18-49 with an encore) topped "Late Late Show" (0.3/2).

At 1:35 a.m., "Last Call with Carson Daly" averaged a 0.8/3 in metered-market households with an encore and a 0.3/2 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.

NOTE: All ratings are "live plus same day" from Nielsen Media Research unless otherwise indicated.

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