Skip to main content
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

NBC's Encore of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE Wins the Night

By:

A Christmas Eve encore of "It's a Wonderful Life" (1.2/5 in 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall from 8-11 p.m. ET) won the night among the Big 4 in 18-49, total viewers and all other key demos, plus kids 2-11 and teens 12-17.

The Dec. 24 encore of "It's a Wonderful Life" grew versus the prior Christmas Eve telecast by +9% in 18-49 (1.1 to 1.2) and by +6% in total viewers (4.986 million vs. 4.713 million).

"It's a Wonderful Life" increased by +50% from its first half-hour to its sixth in 18-49 (1.0 to 1.5) and +51% or 2.1 million persons in total viewers (4.1 million to 6.2 million).

This was NBC's 38th primetime telecast of "It's a Wonderful Life," directed by Frank Capra and starring Jimmy Stewart, since the movie was brought to broadcast network television in 1994.

Thursday Primetime Results:
An encore telecast of "How Murray Saved Christmas" averaged a 0.3/1 in 18-49 and 1.4 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET. "Murray" maintained its adult 18-49 rating from half-hour to half-hour and grew in men and women 18-34 and men 18-49. In teens 12-17, "Murray" grew from half-hour to half-hour from a 0.1 to a 0.3.

A rebroadcast of "Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas" averaged a 0.3/1 in 18-49 and 1.1 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET.

An encore telecast of "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" (0.4/1 in 18-49, 1.9 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) grew from its first half-hour to its second, despite the 10 p.m. hour, in adults 18-49 and total viewers and grew or held steady in all other key measures.

In Late-Night Metered Markets Thursday Night:

In Nielsen's 56 metered markets, household results were: "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," 1.9/5 with an encore telecast; CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman," 1.6/4 with an encore; and ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 1.7/4 with an encore.

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, adult 18-49 results were: "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," 0.7/3 with an encore; "Late Show," 0.3/1 with an encore; and "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 0.6/3 with an encore.

From 12:35-1:05 a.m. ET, ABC's "Nightline" averaged a 1.0/3 in metered-market households and a 0.3/2 in 18-49 in the Local People Meters.

From 12:35-1:35 a.m. ET, "Late Night with Seth Meyers" (1.0/3 in metered-market households with an encore) beat CBS's "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (0.8/3 with an encore). In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Late Night" (0.3/2 in 18-49 with an encore) topped "Late Late Show" (0.2/1 with an encore).

At 1:35 a.m., "Last Call with Carson Daly" averaged a 0.5/2 in metered-market households with an encore and a 0.1/1 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.

Image courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Recent Articles
SUGAR Season 2 Finale Hits Apple TV This Friday
SUGAR Season 2 Finale Hits Apple TV This Friday
7/31/2026
Photos: DARK STAR ORCHESTRA Opens Greek Theatre Run With Bob Weir Tribute
Photos: DARK STAR ORCHESTRA Opens Greek Theatre Run With Bob Weir Tribute
8/1/2026
SILO Season 3 Episode 6 Sneak Peek Clip Released
SILO Season 3 Episode 6 Sneak Peek Clip Released
8/3/2026
Need more TV Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...


BroadwayWorld TV


Ticket Central
Hot Show
Tickets From $70
Hot Show
Tickets From $77
Hot Show
Tickets From $106
Hot Show
Tickets From $72