NBC's LAW & ORDER: SVU Delivers Most-Watched Episode in Past Year

The 17th season premiere of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1.7/6 in 18-49, 8.2 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) grew +21% versus its season finale in 18-49 (1.7 vs. 1.4) and +18% in total viewers (8.229 million vs. 6.960 million), despite facing Fox's season premiere of "Empire" from 9-10 p.m. And note that "SVU" Is close to rounding up to a 1.8 in 18-49 (currently reporting a 1.74). Versus NBC's average in the two-hour time-period last season, "SVU" is up +21% in 18-49 (1.7 vs. 1.4, L+SD non-sports) and up +29% in total viewers (8.229 million vs. 6.380 million).

"Law & Order: SVU" delivered its most-watched non-crossover episode in the past year (since Sept. 24, 2014, 10.1 million).

For its second hour from 10-11 p.m. et, "Law & Order: SVU" ranked #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in total viewers, adults 25-54 (tie) and men 25-54.

"Law & Order: SVU" will grow substantially via time-shifting -- last season, "SVU" originals increased by +70% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.61 to a 2.74) and 2.9 million viewers overall (7.3 million to 10.2 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

The second season debut of "The Mysteries of Laura" (1.2/4 in 18-49, 6.9 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) captured the show's highest 18-49 rating since Feb. 25 in 18-49 (1.4 with an episode featuring guest star Eric McCormack). Excluding that Feb. 25 telecast, "Laura" scored its 18-49 high since Jan. 7 (1.3).

"The Mysteries of Laura" is up +9% versus its season finale (1.2 vs. 1.1) and up 20% versus what the show averaged in last May's sweep (1.2 vs. 1.0).

"The Mysteries of Laura" will grow significantly via time-shifting -- last season, "Laura" originals grew by +33% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.22 to a 1.62) and more than 1.7 million viewers overall (7.4 million to 9.2 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

Adult 18-49 Rating
Show... L+SD... L+3...L+7...L+7+Digital
Mysteries of Laura...1.2...1.5...1.6...1.7
Law & Order: SVU...1.7...2.6...2.9...3.2

Persons 2+ (Total Viewers)
Show... L+SD... L+3...L+7...L+7+Digital
Mysteries of Laura ...6.93 million...8.23 million...8.73 million...9.01 million
Law & Order: SVU ...8.23 million...10.53 million...11.18 million...11.78 million

In Late-Night Metered Markets Wednesday Night:

Wednesday's "Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon":
Equaled "Tonight's" highest 18-49 rating in the local people meters for a Wednesday (1.2) in six month (since March 4, 1.3) - matching the 1.2 of two weeks earlier, when Jimmy's guests included Justin Timberlake.

Jimmy Fallon's guests Wednesday included James Spader, Andrew Rannells and Brian Regan.

Wednesday's "Late Night with Seth Meyers": Matched "Late Night's" highest metered-market household rating for a Wednesday (1.4) in seven months (since Feb. 4, 1.5) and delivered its top Wednesday 18-49 rating (0.6) in the local people meters in five months (since April 1, 0.6).

Seth Meyer's guest Wednesday included Will Forte, Natasha Lyonne and Stephen Perkins.

In Nielsen's 56 metered markets, household results were: "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," 3.0/8; "Late Show with Stephen Colbert," 2.4/6; and ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 1.8/5.

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, adult 18-49 results were: "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," 1.2/6; "Late Show," 0.8/4; and "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 0.5/2.

From 12:35-1:05 a.m. ET, ABC's "Nightline" averaged a 1.2/4 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" (1.4/5 in metered-market households) beat CBS's "Late Late Show" (1.0/4). In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Late Night" (0.6/4 in 18-49) topped "Late Late Show" (0.3/2).

At 1:35 a.m., "Last Call with Carson Daly" averaged a 0.8/4 in metered-market households and a 0.3/3 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.

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