NBC's LAST COMIC STANDING Finishes Within 1/10th of a Point of 'Rising Star'

By: Caryn Robbins Jun. 30, 2014

A special Sunday edition of "Last Comic Standing" (1.1/3 in 18-49, 3.4 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) finished within a tenth of a rating point of #1 in the time period among the Big 4 networks in 18-49, running within a tenth of ABC's week-two telecast of "Rising Star" (1.2/4 from 9-11), while topping by +38% CBS's combined 0.8 for the series premiere of "Reckless" (0.7/2 at 9) and summer debut of "Unforgettable" (0.9/2 at 10). From 9-10, "Last Comic" tied Fox's encore comedies in 18-49 (1.1/3 each for that hour).

Excluding a special Sunday "America's Got Talent" on June 22 and "Miss USA 2014" on June 8, "Last Comic Standing" matched NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the time period since March 23.

An encore telecast of "American Ninja Warrior" (0.7/3 in 18-49, 2.8 million viewers overall from 7-9 p.m. ET) equaled last week's result in the slot in 18-49 and was up +7% in total viewers (2.844 million vs. 2.655 million).

"American Ninja Warrior" grew steadily throughout its two-hour time period, with this half-hour track: 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9. From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Ninja" grew in 18-49 rating by +50% (to a 0.9 from a 0.6) and in total viewers by +20% (3.1 million vs. 2.6 million).

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