‘NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL’ IS THE #1 PRIMETIME PROGRAM OF THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-49, 18-34 AND 25-54 AND OTHER KEY DEMOGRAPHICS
NBC SPORTS’ STEELERS-RAVENS COVERAGE FUELS A SUNDAY PRIMETIME VICTORY IN ADULTS 18-49, TOTAL VIEWERS AND OTHER KEY MEASURES
‘THE JAY LENO SHOW’ ON THURSDAY HITS A SIX-WEEK HIGH IN TOTAL VIEWERS AND RANKS #1 AMONG THE MAJOR NETWORKS IN MEN 18-34 AND #2 IN ADULTS 18-49, TOTAL VIEWERS AND VIRTUALLY ALL OTHER KEY MEASURES
ON WEDNESDAY, ‘THE BIGGEST LOSER: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?’ WINS ITS TWO-HOUR TIME PERIOD IN ADULTS 18-49 WITH NBC’S TOP RESULT OF THE SEASON IN THE SLOT
‘JAY LENO’ SCORES A SIX-WEEK WEDNESDAY HIGH IN ADULTS 18-49 AND 25-54 AND DELIVERS ITS BIGGEST TOTAL VIEWERSHIP FOR A WEDNESDAY ‘LENO’ IN FIVE WEEKS
ON TUESDAY, ‘BIGGEST LOSER’ GAINS 33 PERCENT IN 18-49 AND 30 PERCENT IN TOTAL VIEWERS VERSUS THE SAME NIGHT LAST YEAR
ON MONDAY, ‘JAY LENO’ POSTS A FOUR-WEEK HIGH IN TOTAL VIEWERS, A FIVE-WEEK HIGH IN ADULTS 25-54 AND MATCHES ITS TOP MONDAY 18-49 RESULT IN SIX WEEKS
FOR THE WEEK, NBC IS #2 AMONG THE MAJOR NETWORKS IN ADULTS AND MEN 18-34, TIES FOR #1 IN MEN 18-49 AND IS #1 OUTRIGHT IN MEN 25-54
Led by “NBC Sunday Night Football,” which was the #1 program of the week in adults 18-49 and numerous other key demographic measures, NBC tied for #2 in primetime’s key demographic of adults 18-49, averaging a 2.5 rating in 18-49 and 6.9 million viewers overall for the week of November 23-29, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research. Note that averages are not yet official from Nielsen and are subject to change until confirmed. For the week, NBC ranked #2 among the major networks in adults and men 18-34, tied for #1 among men 18-49 and was #1 outright in men 25-54, pending updates.
NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” telecast of the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Baltimore Ravens was the #1 primetime program of the week in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and all key adult-male demographics – men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 (rankings exclude all NFL pre- and post-game telecasts). This marks the 11th telecast in a row of “NBC Sunday Night Football” to top the weekly primetime adult 18-49 rankings (excluding NFL pre- and post-game shows, and including a tie with the Thursday NFL season opener).
Provisional primetime averages for the week of November 23-29 in adults 18-49 are Fox (2.6), NBC and CBS (2.5), ABC (2.4) and CW (0.4). In overall total viewers the weekly averages are CBS (10.4 million), ABC (9.1 million), Fox (7.1 million), NBC (6.9 million) and CW (1.1 million).
The 28-night Nielsen November sweep concluded on Wednesday, November 25 (for the measurement period October 29-November 25, 2009). “NBC Sunday Night Football” was the #1 primetime series in adults 18-49 during the sweep in “live plus same day” results. “Sunday Night Football” was also the #1 program of the November sweep in adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and in all key adult-male demographics.
Also ranking among the top 20 series programs in the November sweep in primetime’s key demographic of adults 18-49 were NBC’s “The Office” (#7) and “The Biggest Loser” (#18, tied). Among adults 18-34, “The Office” was the #3-ranked primetime program during the November 2009 sweep, behind only “Sunday Night Football” and “Grey’s Anatomy” (rankings exclude all NFL pre- and post-game telecasts).
The November 2009 sweep averages in adults 18-49 were: Fox (3.5), ABC (3.1), CBS (3.0), NBC (2.6) and CW (1.1). In adults 18-34, November 2009 sweep averages were: Fox (3.2), ABC (2.5), NBC (2.2), CBS (2.1) and CW (1.4). In total viewers, the 28-night November sweep averages were CBS (11.8 million), ABC (10.5 million), Fox (9.8 million), NBC (7.5 million) and CW (2.4 million). For the full November 2009 sweep, NBC ranked #2 among the major networks in men 18-49 and men 18-34
NBC highlights for the week of November 23-29:
* On Sunday, NBC Sports’ “Sunday Night Football” telecast of the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Baltimore Ravens led NBC to a commanding nightlong win in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54, total viewers and all key adult-male demographics – men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54. NBC’s margin of victory over its closest network competitor Sunday night was 30 percent in adults 18-49 and 23 percent in total viewers.
* Sunday’s Steelers-Ravens game was up 25 percent in adults 18-49 rating and 21 percent in total viewers versus the “Sunday Night Football” game that aired on the same night last year (Bears-Vikings on November 30, 2008).
* On Thursday, Thanksgiving Night, “The Jay Leno Show” was up 5 percent in total viewers versus the prior Thursday, to assemble its biggest overall Thursday audience in six weeks. In the time period, “The Jay Leno Show” ranked #1 among the major networks in men 18-34 and #2 in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54, total viewers and most other key measures.
* On Wednesday, the special “The Biggest Loser: Where Are They Now?” won its two-hour time period in adults 18-49 and other key ratings categories, and scored a season-high for NBC in adults 18-49 in the slot.
* Also on Wednesday, “The Jay Leno Show” scored its highest Wednesday 18-49 and 25-54 ratings in six weeks and its biggest overall viewership for a Wednesday telecast in five weeks. Week-to-week, the Wednesday “Leno Show” grew 14 percent in adults 18-49, 12 percent in adults 25-54 and 6 percent in total viewers.
* The Wednesday “Jay Leno Show” ranked #2 among the major networks in all key ratings categories – adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, as well as total viewers — topping ABC’s first-run drama “Eastwick” in all measures.
* On Tuesday, “The Biggest Loser” continued to out-deliver its year-ago levels, this week gaining 33 percent in adults 18-49 and 30 percent in total viewers versus the “Loser” telecast on the same night last year. .
* Tuesday’s “Loser” increased 33 percent in 18-49 and 17 percent in total viewers from its first to its fourth half-hour, despite tough competition that included the finale of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” and CBS’s “NCIS” and “NCIS: LA” crossover episode.
* On Monday, “The Jay Leno Show” matched its highest Monday 18-49 rating in six weeks, scored its highest Monday adult 25-54 rating in five weeks and attracted its biggest overall Monday viewership in four weeks.
Ratings reflect “live plus same day” data unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date figures are averages of “live plus seven day” data except for the two most recent weeks, which are “live plus same day.”
Additional NBC highlights for the week of November 23-29:
On Monday, November 23, from 8-9 p.m. ET, “Heroes” averaged a 2.3 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 5.2 million viewers overall, in a highly competitive time period that included Fox’s “House,” CBS’s comedies and ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.” Week-to-week, “Heroes” was up 4 percent in 18-49 (2.3 vs. 2.2) and 2 percent in total viewers (5.2 million vs. 5.1 million). “Heroes” is one of the most time-shifted programs on network television. So far this season, “Heroes” has added 30 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from its “live plus same day” to its “live plus seven day” results. In total viewers, “Heroes” adds more than 1.4 million viewers to its previously reported “live plus same day” results when “live plus seven day” ratings are released.
Monday from 9-10:01 p.m. ET, “Trauma” averaged a 1.7/4 in adults 18-49 and 5.4 million viewers overall versus competition that included CBS’s “Two and a Half Men” and “Big Bang Theory,” ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” and Fox’s “Lie to Me.” Week-to-week, “Trauma” was up 4 percent in total viewers (5.4 million vs. 5.2 million).
Monday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, “The Jay Leno Show” averaged a 1.4/4 in adults 18-49, a 1.7/4 in adults 25-54 and 4.5 million viewers overall. Monday’s time-period competition included CBS’s “CSI: Miami” and ABC’s “Castle.”
“The Jay Leno Show” matched its highest Monday 18-49 rating in six weeks (since October 12), scored its highest Monday adult 25-54 rating in five weeks (since October 19) and attracted its biggest overall Monday viewership in four weeks (since October 26). Versus the prior Monday “Leno” was even in 18-49 rating and up 6 percent in 25-54 rating (1.7 vs. 1.6). In total viewers, “Leno” gained 0.8 percent week-to-week (4.49 million vs. 4.45 million), marking the seventh consecutive “Jay Leno” telecast to deliver a week-to-week gain in total viewers.
Comparisons to Jay Leno’s 2008-09 average at 11:35 p.m. ET on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” were: in adults 18-49 (1.4 vs. 1.4), adults 25-54 (1.7 vs. 1.8) and total viewers (4.5 million vs. 5.1 million). Comparisons to NBC’s Monday-through-Friday 10-11 p.m. ET non-sports average over the prior 52 weeks were: in adults 18-49 (1.4 vs. 2.2), adults 25-54 (1.7 vs. 2.7) and total viewers (4.5 million vs. 6.9 million).
On Tuesday, November 24 from 8-10:01 p.m. ET, “The Biggest Loser” (3.5/10 in adults 18-49, 8.9 million viewers overall) continues to out-deliver its year-ago results, this week gaining 35 percent in adults 18-49 and 30 percent or more than 2.0 million persons in total viewers versus the same night last year (a 2.6/7 in 18-49 and 6.9 million viewers overall on November 25, 2008). From 8-10 p.m. ET, “Loser” was #2 (tied) in adults 18-49 and #1 in women 18-34 versus tough competition that included CBS’s “NCIS” and a special “NCIS: Los Angeles” featuring “NCIS” regular Abby Sciuto, as well as ABC’s combination of “V” and the first hour of the “Dancing With the Stars” finale.
Despite this competition, “Biggest Loser” gained 33 percent in adults 18-49 (to 4.0/11 from 3.0/9) and 17 percent or more than 1.4 million persons (to 9.6 million from 8.2 million) from its first half-hour to its fourth.
Tuesday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, “The Jay Leno Show” averaged a 1.9/5 in adults 18-49, a 2.2/6 in adults 25-54 and 4.9 million viewers overall, versus time-period competition that included the concluding hour of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” finale and CBS’s “The Good Wife.” This matches the second-highest 18-49 rating for “The Jay Leno Show” on any night of the week in seven weeks (since Tuesday, Oct. 6).
Versus Jay Leno’s 2008-09 average at 11:35 p.m. ET on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” Tuesday’s telecast was up in adults 18-49 (1.9 vs. 1.4), adults 25-54 (2.2 vs. 1.8) and total viewers (4.9 million vs. 5.1 million). Comparisons to NBC’s Monday-through-Friday 10-11 p.m. ET non-sports average over the prior 52 weeks were: in adults 18-49 (1.9 vs. 2.2), adults 25-54 (2.2 vs. 2.7) and total viewers (4.9 million vs. 6.9 million).
On Wednesday, November 25 from 8-10:01 p.m. ET, the special “The Biggest Loser: Where Are They Now?” (2.7/8 in adults 18-49, 7.6 million viewers overall) won its time period in adults 18-49 and other key ratings categories, and scored a season-high for NBC in adults 18-49 in this two-hour time period.
Wednesday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, “The Jay Leno Show” averaged a 1.6/5 in adults 18-49, a 1.9/5 in adults 25-54 and 5.1 million viewers overall. “Leno” scored its highest Wednesday 18-49 and 25-54 ratings in six weeks (since October 14) and biggest overall viewership for a Wednesday telecast in five weeks (since October 21). Week-to-week, the Wednesday “Leno Show” grew 14 percent in adults 18-49 (1.6 vs. 1.4), 12 percent in adults 25-54 (1.9 vs. 1.7) and 6 percent in total viewers (5.1 million vs. 4.8 million).
Wednesday’s time-period competition included CBS’s “CSI: NY” and ABC’s “Eastwick.” “The Jay Leno Show” ranked #2 among the major networks in all key ratings categories – adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, as well as total viewers — topping ABC’s first-run drama “Eastwick” in all measures.
Comparisons to Jay Leno’s 2008-09 average at 11:35 p.m. ET on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” were: in adults 18-49 (1.6 vs. 1.4), adults 25-54 (1.9 vs. 1.8) and total viewers (5.1 million vs. 5.1 million). Comparisons to NBC’s Monday-through-Friday 10-11 p.m. ET non-sports average over the prior 52 weeks were: in adults 18-49 (1.6 vs. 2.2), adults 25-54 (1.9 vs. 2.7) and total viewers (5.1 million vs. 6.9 million).
NBC ranked #2 in primetime Wednesday night in adults 18-49, total viewers and virtually all other key measures.
On Thanksgiving Night, Thursday, November 26 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of “The Office” averaged a 1.0/3 in adults 18-49 and 2.7 million viewers overall.
Thursday from 9-10:01 p.m. ET, the NBC News special “NBC’s People of the Year” (1.4/4 in adults 18-49, 5.2 million viewers overall) built on its lead in by 40 percent in 18-49 and 89 percent in total viewers.
Thursday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, “The Jay Leno Show” averaged a 1.5/5 in adults 18-49, a 1.7/5 in adults 25-54 and 5.0 million viewers overall. Thursday’s time-period competition included ABC’s Paul McCartney special and CBS’s “Mentalist” encore. “The Jay Leno Show” ranked #1 among the major networks in men 18-34, and #2 in adults and women 18-34, adults, men and women 18-49, adults and men 25-54 and total viewers.
“The Jay Leno Show” was up 5 percent in total viewers versus the prior Thursday (5.041 million vs. 4.771 million), to assemble its biggest overall Thursday audience in six weeks (since October 15).
Comparisons to Jay Leno’s 2008-09 average at 11:35 p.m. ET on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” were: in adults 18-49 (1.5 vs. 1.4), adults 25-54 (1.7 vs. 1.8) and total viewers (5.0 million vs. 5.1 million). Comparisons to NBC’s Monday-through-Friday 10-11 p.m. ET non-sports average over the prior 52 weeks were: in adults 18-49 (1.5 vs. 2.2), adults 25-54 (1.7 vs. 2.7) and total viewers (5.0 million vs. 6.9 million).
On Friday, November 27 from 8-10:01 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of the 2005 feature film “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” averaged a 1.2/4 in adults 18-49 and 3.8 million viewers overall. “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” tied for #2 among the major networks in adults 18-49 and ranked #2 in adults, men and women 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54.
Friday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of “The Jay Leno Show” averaged a 1.0/3 in adults 18-49, a 1.1/3 in adults 25-54 and 3.5 million viewers overall. In the time period, the “Jay Leno” rebroadcast ranked #2 among the major networks in men 18-34 and tied for #2 in adults and women 18-34 and men 18-49. Friday’s time-period competition included CBS’s “Numb3rs” encore and ABC’s “20/20.”
On Saturday, November 28 from 8-8:30 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of the animated special “Merry Madagascar” delivered a 1.0/3 in 18-49 and 3.2 million viewers overall. This was NBC’s highest 18-49 result in this half-hour slot since June 6. “Merry Madagascar” ranked #1 among the major networks in the time period among kids 2-11.
Saturday from 8:30-11 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of the 2004 feature film “The Incredibles” (1.4/4 in 18-49, 3.7 million viewers overall) posted NBC’s highest 18-49 rating in the time period since June 6. “The Incredibles” ranked #1 among the major networks in its time period in kids 2-11, teens 12-17 and women 18-34 (tied).
On Sunday, November 29, the “NBC Sunday Night Football” telecast of the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Baltimore Ravens led NBC to a commanding nightlong win in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, adults and women 18-34, total viewers and all key adult-male demographics – men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54. For its full duration, the Steelers-Ravens game averaged a 7.6/19 in adults 18-49, 19.2 million viewers overall and an 11.5/18 household rating/share from 8:31-11:50 p.m. ET.
Sunday’s Steelers-Ravens game was up 25 percent in 18-49 rating and 21 percent or more than 3.2 million persons in total viewers versus the “Sunday Night Football” game that aired on the same night last year (a 6.1/14 in 18-49 and 15.9 million viewers overall for the Bears-Vikings on November 30, 2008).
For the night (from 7:30-11 p.m. ET), NBC averaged a 6.1/15 in adults 18-49 and 15.6 million viewers overall. NBC’s margin of victory over the #2 network was 30 percent in adults 18-49 (6.1/15 for NBC from 7:30-11 p.m. vs. a 4.7/12 for Fox from 7-10 p.m.) and 23 percent in total viewers (15.6 million for NBC from 7:30-11 p.m. vs. 12.7 million for CBS from 7-11 p.m.).
Also on Sunday, “Football Night in America 2” from 7:30-7:58 p.m. ET averaged a 1.8/5 in 18-49, 4.8 million viewers overall and a 3.0/5 household rating/share. “Football Night in America 3” from 7:58-8:22 p.m. delivered a 3.7/10 in 18-49, 10.1 million viewers overall and a 6.2/10 in households. From 8:22-8:31 p.m., “NBC Sunday Night Football Pre Kickoff” averaged a 5.0/13 in 18-49, 13.9 million viewers overall and an 8.4/13 in households. Note: “Football Night in America” from 7-7:30 p.m. ET was sustaining programming and does not figure in the nightly or weekly primetime averages.
WEEKLY AVERAGES
Average rating and audience in each category (share not available)
(Note: Weekly and season averages have not been confirmed by Nielsen and are subject to revision.)
ADULTS 18-49
Fox 2.6 rtg, 3.5 million
NBC 2.5 rtg, 3.3 million
CBS 2.5 rtg, 3.3 million
ABC 2.4 rtg,, 3.2 million
CW 0.4 rtg, 0.6 million
Each rating point equals 1.32 million viewers
ADULTS 25-54
CBS 3.3 rtg, 4.1 million
ABC 3.0 rtg, 3.8 million
NBC 2.8 rtg, 3.5 million
Fox 2.8 rtg, 3.5 million
CW 0.4 rtg, 0.5 million
Each rating point equals 1.24 million viewers
TOTAL VIEWERS
CBS 3.6 rtg, 10.4 million
ABC 3.1 rtg, 9.1 million
Fox 2.4 rtg, 7.1 million
NBC 2.4 rtg, 6.9 million
CW 0.4 rtg, 1.1 million
Each rating point equals 2.92 million viewers
2009-10 SEASON AVERAGES
Average rating and audience in each category (share not available)
ADULTS 18-49
Fox 3.5 rtg, 4.6 million
CBS 3.2 rtg, 4.2 million
ABC 3.1 rtg, 4.0 million
NBC 2.7 rtg, 3.6 million
CW 1.2 rtg, 1.5 million
Each rating point equals 1.32 million viewers
ADULTS 25-54
CBS 4.1 rtg, 5.1 million
Fox 3.7 rtg, 4.6 million
ABC 3.7 rtg, 4.6 million
NBC 3.1 rtg,, 3.9 million
CW 1.1 rtg 1.3 million
Each rating point equals 1.24 million viewers
TOTAL VIEWERS
CBS 4.1 rtg, 12.0 million
ABC 3.5 rtg, 10.3 million
Fox 3.2 rtg, 9.4 million
NBC 2.7 rtg, 7.7 million
CW 0.8 rtg, 2.4 million
Each rating point equals 2.92 million viewers
(source: data and information provided by NBC)
