NBC finds reason for Thursday cheer

0

NBC* At 8 p.m. ET, “Community” (2.2/7 in 18-49, 4.9 million viewers) delivered NBC’s highest non-sports rating in the time period in nearly 14 months (since January 27, 2011) and biggest overall audience excluding sports since October 28, 2010. Versus its average earlier this season with originals in this time period, last night’s “Community” was up 38 percent (2.2 vs. 1.6).


In a highly competitive time period last night versus Fox’s “American Idol,” CBS’s NCAA Tournament coverage (which preempted CBS’s “Big Bang Theory”) and ABC’s premiere of “Missing,” “Community” improved on its rating in this same slot on the same night last year by 29 percent (2.2 vs. 1.7) and was up in total viewers by 18percent (4.894 million vs. 4.152 million).

Keep in mind that on average this season, original telecasts of “Community” have been adding 39 percent to their next-day “live plus same day” 18-49 rating when Nielsen includes additional time-shifted viewing in “live plus seven day” ratings.

* In the time period, “Community” ranks #2 in adults 18-49 and is #1, ahead of “American Idol,” NCAA basketball and ABC’s premiere of “Missing,” in adults 18-34 and men 18-34 (pending updates).

* At 8:30 ET, “30 Rock “ (2.0/6 in 18-49, 4.0 million viewers overall) scored a season-high rating in adults 18-49, jumping 33 percent above the 1.5 the show averaged earlier this season with an 8 p.m. start time. Last night’s “30 Rock” delivered NBC’s highest 18-49 rating in this time period since November 17. In the highly competitive time period versus Fox’s “American Idol,” CBS’s NCAA basketball and ABC’s premiere of “Missing,” “30 Rock” is tied for #2 in adults 18-49, #2 outright in adults 18-34 and tied for #1 among men 18-34 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox (pending updates). Note that “30 Rock” originals have been adding 46 percent to these next-day “live plus same day” ratings when Nielsen issues “live plus seven day” results so far this season.

* From 9-9:31 p.m. ET, “The Office” delivered a 2.3/8 in 18-49 and 4.9 million viewers overall against the special competition of CBS’s NCAA basketball coverage. Note that on average this season, “Office” originals have been adding 47 percent to their next-day “live plus same day” 18-49 rating when Nielsen reports additional time-shifted viewing in “live plus seven day” ratings.

* In the time period, “The Office” is #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-34 versus ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” CBS’s NCAA basketball coverage and Fox’s “Touch” encore.

* At 9:31 ET, “Up All Night” averaged a 1.7/4 in 18-49 and 3.6 million viewers overall to match its rating of one week earlier and grow week to week by 5 percent in total viewers (3.631 vs. 3.444 million), pending updates. Note that “Up All Night” originals have been adding 50 percent to these next-day “live plus same day” ratings when Nielsen issues “live plus seven day” results so far this season.

* At 10 p.m. ET, “Awake” (1.6/4 in 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall) maintained its rating of the prior week in adults 18-49 and jumped week to week by 17 percent in total viewers (to 5.052 million from 4.325 million). “Awake” has in its first three weeks earned NBC’s three highest 18-49 ratings in this time period since December 8, pending updates. In its second half-hour last night, “Awake” remained within a tenth of a point of its first half-hour (with a 1.5 rating vs. a 1.6).

* Versus NBC’s season average in the time period prior to “Awake,” last night’s telecast is up 33 percent in 18-49 rating (with a 1.6 rating vs. a 1.2) and up 17 percent in total viewers (5.052 million vs. 4.327 million).