NBC's THE VOICE Premiere Up vs. Fall Finale

NBC swept six of six half-hours among the Big 4 networks last night in adults 18-49 and total viewers with "The Voice" and "The Blacklist," both of which ranked #1 in their time periods among the Big 4 networks in every key ratings category.

"The Voice" (4.7 rating, 13 share in adults 18-49, 15.7 million viewers overall from 8-10:01 p.m. ET,) returned with an 18% gain versus the show's Dec. 17 fall finale in adults 18-49 (with a 4.7 rating vs. a 4.0), to score the highest "Voice" rating on any night of the week since Monday, Sept. 30, 2013 (4.7). "The Voice" is currently running within a tenth of a point of its year-ago premiere in 18-49 (4.7 vs. 4.8 on March 25, 2013).

With 15.7 million viewers overall, this is the top "Voice" premiere in total viewers since the post-Super Bowl debut on Feb. 5, 2012. Last night's 15.734 million viewers is up 15% versus the year-go 13.636 million for the "Voice 4" premiere on March 25, 2013.

The Voice" grew steadily through its four half-hours with this track in adults 18-49: 3.9, 4.6, 5.0, 5.2. From its first half-hour to its fourth, "The Voice" grew 33% or 1.3 rating points in 18-49 (to a 5.2 from a 3.9) and 21% or 2.9 million persons in total viewers (16.8 million vs. 13.9 million).

From 10:01-11 p.m. ET, "The Blacklist" (3.1/9 in adults 18-49, 11.3 million viewers overall) jumped versus its prior telecast four weeks ago by 24% in 18-49 rating (to a 3.1 from a 2.5 on Jan. 27, an episode that did not have a "Voice" lead-in) and 11% in total viewers (11.278 million vs. 10.171 million).

"The Blacklist" is currently delivering its highest 18-49 and total-viewer results since the show's fall finale on Dec. 2 (3.2). Excluding that fall-finale telecast, this matches the highest "Blacklist" in 18-49 since Sept. 30, the show's second telecast (3.3). It's also a high in total viewers, excluding that fall finale, since Sept. 30 (pending updates).

"The Blacklist" ranked #1 in The Hour among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 and every key measure, with a current margin of 82% in adults 18-49 versus ABC's #2 "Castle" (3.1 vs. 1.7) and a margin of 158% over CBS' "Intelligence" (3.1 vs. 1.2).

PRIOR 'BLACKLIST' SETS ALL-TIME L+7 RECORD: The Jan. 27 episode of "The Blacklist" has set an all-time U.S. television record, growing by 6.668 million viewers going from its "live plus same day" result to its "live plus seven day" audience, the biggest-ever viewer increase for any U.S. broadcast or cable program going from L+SD to L+7. That Jan. 27 "Blacklist" grew to 16.839 million viewers in "live plus seven day" figures, up from 10.171 million persons in L+SD. On a percentage basis, that's a 66% increase in audience.

"The Blacklist" now holds the top seven increases ever going from L+SD-to-L+7 in total viewers in U.S. TV history across all broadcast and cable programming. For the week of Jan. 27-Feb. 2 in L+7, "The Blacklist" rose to the #1 drama on the Big 4 networks in 18-49 and total viewers and beat both editions of Fox's "American Idol" in both categories for the first time in L+7. Note that the Jan. 27 telecast of "The Blacklist" had also set a "live plus three day" lift in total viewers of +5.628 million .

In adults 18-49, the Jan. 27 "The Blacklist" grew by 2.11 rating points or 83% going from L+SD to L+7 (to a 4.65 from a 2.54). That episode of "The Blacklist" derived a season-high 59% of its L+7 rating from time-shifted viewing (2.75 of its 4.65 L+7 18-49 rating).

In Late-Night Metered Markets Monday night:

The Feb. 24 telecast of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" has delivered strong ratings with its first telecast on a non-Olympic night, averaging a 4.5 rating, 12 share in household results from the 56 markets metered by Nielsen Media Research. It's "Tonight's" highest Monday rating, excluding Olympic nights, in four years (since March 1, 2010, the night of Jay Leno's return, 5.4),

The 4.5 rating is up 55% versus "Tonight's" non-Olympic season average (4.5 vs. 2.9, L+SD). "Tonight" topped the combined metered-market household rating in the time period of CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman" (2.2/6) and ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (2.1/6).

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" averaged a 2.1/10 in adults 18-49, best for "Tonight" on a non-Olympic Monday since June 1, 2009 (Conan O'Brien's premiere, 3.9).

At 12:35 a.m. ET, "Late Night with Seth Meyers" has delivered strong ratings with its premiere telecast, averaging a 2.6 rating, 9 share in household results from the 56 markets metered by Nielsen Media Research. It's the highest "Late Night" rating on a Monday in nine years (since Jan. 24, 2005 for a "Late Night" encore, 4.2, which followed a high-rated "Tonight Show" tribute to Johnny Carson).

The debut of "Late Night with Seth Meyers" is up 63% versus "Late Night's" season average (2.6 vs. 1.6, L+SD). Monday's "Late Night" retained 58% of its "Tonight Show" lead-in (2.6 vs. 4.5), versus the show's 55% season average (1.6 vs. 2.9). The 2.6 topped the combined ratings in the time slot of ABC's "Nightline" (1.4/5 for the first half-hour of the time period) and CBS's "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (1.0/4).

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Late Night with Seth Meyers" averaged a 1.2/8 in adults 18-49, best for "Late Night" on a Monday since June 1, 2009 (1.4, following Conan O'Brien's "Tonight Show" premiere).

"Fast official" ratings for "Tonight" and "Late Night" are expected later today.

Monday's "Tonight Show" featured Reese Witherspoon, Fred Armisen and musical guest Rick Ross with The Roots. Tonight's telecast is schedule to include Paul Rudd, Shaquille O'Neal and Hannibal Buress.

Monday's "Late Night" featured Amy Poehler, Vice President Joe Biden and musical guest A Great Big World. Tuesday's telecast is scheduled to include Kanye West, Russell Wilson and writer Robyn Doolittle.

Detailed Monday Late-Night Results in the Metered Markets:

In Nielsen's 56 metered markets, household results were: "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," 4.5/12; CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman," 2.2/6; and ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 2.1/6.

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, adult 18-49 results were: "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," 2.1/10; "Late Show," 0.5/2; and "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 0.6/3.

From 12:35-1:05 a.m. ET, ABC's "Nightline" averaged a 1.4/5 in metered-market households and a 0.4/2 in 18-49 in the Local People Meters.

From 12:35-1:35 a.m. ET, "Late Night with Seth Meyers" (2.6/9 in metered-market households) beat CBS's "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (1.0/4). In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Late Night" (1.2/8 in 18-49) topped "Late Late Show" (0.2/2).

At 1:35 a.m., "Last Call with Carson Daly" averaged a 1.4/6 in metered-market households and a 0.6/5 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.

For the Week:

NBC's coverage of the Sochi Winter Olympics has led the network to weeklong wins among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, total viewers and all other key measures. According to "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, NBC averaged a 4.2 rating, 12 share in adults 18-49 and 17.7 million viewers overall for the week of Feb. 17-23,

NBC won the week in adults 18-49 rating for the 17th time this season, the most weekly wins for NBC at this point in the season in 16 years (since winning 19 weeks at this time during the 1997-98 season). The total-viewer win is NBC's sixth this season, the most at this point in the season for NBC in 12 years (since winning eight weeks at this time in 2001-02)

NBC's seven nights of Olympics coverage ranked #1-7 among Primetime programs on the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 last week (including a tie for #7 with Fox's Daytona 500 coverage). Olympics telecasts accounted for the top eight for the week in total viewers, with the seven nights of Primetime coverage, plus Sunday's "Nancy & Tonya" documentary.

Through 22 weeks of the season, NBC ranks #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and other key demos. It's the first time NBC has ranked #1 this late in the season in 10 years (since the 2003-04 season).

NBC's 3.1 rating in adults 18-49 is the network's top average at this point in the season in six years (since a 3.1 in 2007-08).

Versus one year ago, NBC is up 19% season to date in adults 18-49 (3.1 vs. 2.6).

In total viewers, NBC ranks #2 for the season with an average of 10.5 million viewers, which is its biggest overall audience 22 weeks into the season in 10 years (since 2003-04, 11.0 million). Versus one year ago, NBC is up 37% season to date in total viewers (10.5 million vs. 7.6 million).

WEEKLY RESULTS
Adults 18-49, L+SD
Net... Week 22, 2012-13... Week 22, 2013-14...Diff
NBC...1.2...4.2...Up 250%
CBS...2.0...1.1... Down 45%
ABC...3.4...1.1... Down 68%
Fox...2.1...1.8...Down 14%

Total Viewers, L+SD
Net... Week 22, 2012-13... Week 22, 2013-14...Diff
NBC...3.834 million ...17.724 million...Up 362%
CBS...9.587 million...6.1124 million...Down 36%
ABC...11.263 million ...4.217 million...Down 63%
Fox...6.610 million ...6.106 million...Down 8%

SEASON AVERAGES
Adults 18-49, "Most Current"
Net... STD '12-13... STD '13-14...Diff
NBC...2.6...3.1...Up 19%
CBS...3.1...2.5...Down 19%
ABC...2.3...2.0...Down 13%
Fox...2.5...2.8...Up 12%

Total Viewers, "Most Current"
Net... STD '12-13... STD '13-14...Diff
NBC...7.627 million ...10.464 million...Up 37%
CBS...12.542 million...10.958 million... Down 13%
ABC...7.926 million ...7.218 million...Down 9%
Fox...7.021 million ...8.290 million...Up 18%

NOTE: All ratings are "live plus same day" from Nielsen Media Research unless otherwise indicated. Season figures are averages of "live plus seven day" data except for the two most recent weeks, which are "live plus same day."

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