Paced by strong numbers generated by the debuts of the new Monday and Thursday primetime lineups, including season-high results on Thursday in adults 18-49, NBC averaged a 1.7 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49 and 5.6 million viewers overall for the week of January 17-23, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.
“The Office” ranked #7 among all primetime programs this week in adults 18-49. Also ranking among the top programs of the week in primetime’s key demographic was Thursday’s third season premiere of “Parks and Recreation” (#16), Tuesday’s “The Biggest Loser: Couples” (#19, tied) and, debuting in its new Thursday 10 p.m. ET time period, “30 Rock” (#24, tied; rankings exclude all football overruns and pre-game and post-game telecasts).
Among adults 18-34, “The Office” ranked #4 among all primetime programs this week, behind only CBS’s Sunday telecast of the NFL’s AFC Championship game and two editions of “American Idol.” Also ranking among the top programs of the week in adults 18-34 was “Parks and Recreation (#7), “30 Rock” (#10), “Community” (#15, tied) and the series premiere of “Perfect Couples” (#17, tied).
Primetime averages for the week of January 17-23 in adults 18-49 were CBS (4.9/14), Fox (3.6/10), NBC and ABC (1.7/5) and CW (0.5/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (17.2 million), Fox (9.8 million), ABC and NBC (5.6 million) and CW (1.3 million).
Season-to-date through 18 weeks, NBC ranks #3 in adults 18-49, up from a #4 ranking at this same point last season, with a 2.7 rating in that key demographic, up 4 percent versus the first 18 weeks of last season (2.7 vs. 2.6). NBC ranks #2 in adults 25-54 season-to-date, up 3 percent in 25-54 rating versus the first 18 weeks of last year (3.2 vs. 3.1). NBC ranks #3 in total viewers season to date, up 3 percent year to year through the first 18 weeks of the season (7.960 million vs. 7.710 million).
NBC highlights for the week of January 17-23
* On Monday, the series premiere of “Harry’s Law” delivered NBC’s highest 18-49 rating in the 10-11 p.m. ET time period in nearly four months and attracted the network’s biggest overall viewership in the slot, excluding Olympics, in 16 months.
* “Harry’ Law” ranked #2 among the broadcast networks in adults 18-49 and other key demographic measures and won the hour in total viewers.
* Also on Monday, “Chuck” scored its highest 18-49 rating of the season.
* On Tuesday, “The Biggest Loser: Couples” ranked #2 among the broadcast networks in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key measures in a time period that included competition from CBS’s “NCIS” and “NCIS: LA,” ABC’s “No Ordinary Family” and “V” and Fox’s encore “Glee” and first-run “Million Dollar Money Drop.”
* “Biggest Loser” gained 23 percent in 18-49 rating and more than 1.0 million persons in total viewers from its first half-hour to its fourth. By its final half-hour from 9:30-10 p.m. ET, “Biggest Loser” had pulled to within a tenth of a rating point of #1 in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 in adults 18-34, women 18-34 and women 18-49.
* Also on Tuesday, “Parenthood” tied for #1 among the broadcast networks in adults 18-49 and was #1 outright in adults, men and women 18-34. With every one of its three episodes to air so far this month, “Parenthood” has matched or topped the 18-49 rating for every other telecast of the show since September 21.
* The “Parenthood” results are likely to increase substantially when Nielsen issues “live plus seven day” results for the week. So far this season, “Parenthood” has added an average 43 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from the previously reported “live plus same day” ratings to its “live plus seven day” results. On a percentage basis, “Parenthood” is the #1 biggest gainer in going from “live plus same day” to “live plus seven” among all primetime series on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW.
* NBC ranked #2 on Tuesday night among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and most other key measures, tied for #1 in adults 18-34 and ranked #1 outright among women 18-34.
* On Wednesday, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” ranked #1 in adults 18-49 and other key measures versus CBS’s time-period premiere of “Blue Bloods,” and week two of ABC’s “Off the Map.” “SVU” also ranked #1 in the 10-11 p.m. ET hour in adults, men and women 18-34 and was up 21 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC’s averages in the slot last season.
* “Law & Order: SVU” increased from its first half-hour to its second in both adults 18-49 and total viewers, while the competing dramas on ABC and CBS declined half-hour to half-hour in both categories.
* On Thursday, “The Office” filed its highest 18-49 rating of the season and was the #1 scripted show of the night in adults 18-49.
* Also on Thursday, the third season premiere of “Parks and Recreation” set a new series record in adults 18-49 and attracted the show’s biggest overall viewership since its original series premiere in April 2009.
* “Community” on Thursday matched its season high in 18-49 rating for a regular-slot telecast, despite the arrival of “American Idol” competition to a time period that already included CBS’s “Big Bang Theory” and ABC’s “Winter Wipeout.” Despite the enhanced competition, “Community” was up 16 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC’s average in this slot last season.
* Additionally on Thursday, “30 Rock” and “Outsourced,” in their new time periods, delivered season-high 18-49 ratings for NBC in the 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET half-hours.
* With the debut of its new Thursday comedy lineup, NBC scored its highest Thursday 18-49 average, excluding sports, since March 4, 2010.
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 January 17-23:
On Monday, Jan. 17 from 8-9 p.m. ET, “Chuck” (2.1 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49, 6.0 million viewers overall) scored its highest 18-49 rating so far this season. The last time “Chuck’ earned a 2.1 in adults 18-49 was April 26, 2010 and the last time the show topped a 2.1 was March 8, 2010 (a 2.8).
Monday at 9 p.m. ET, “The Cape” captured a 1.8/4 in 18-49 and 6.2 million viewers overall. “The Cape” increased its viewership from its first half-hour to its second in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key categories. Versus NBC’s non-sports average in this time period during the traditional 2009-10 season, “The Cape” was up 6 percent in 18-49 rating (1.8 vs. 1.7) and up 20 percent or more than 1.0 million persons in total viewers (6.222 million vs. 5.178 million).
“The Cape” ranked #2 in the hour among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in all key adult-male demographics – men 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54.
Monday at 10 p.m. ET, the premiere of “Harry’s Law” (2.2/6 in 18-49, 11.1 million viewers overall) ranked #2 among the broadcast networks in adults 18-49 and other key measures and won the hour in total viewers. Versus NBC’s non-sports average in this slot during the traditional 2009-10 season, “Harry’s Law” was up 47 percent in 18-49 rating and up 117 percent in total viewers (11.071 million vs. 5.103 million).
“Harry’s Law” delivered NBC’s highest 18-49 rating in this time period in nearly four months (since September 20,2010) and attracted the network’s biggest overall viewership in the slot, excluding Olympics, in 16 months (since September 14, 2009).
On Tuesday, Jan. 18 from 8-10 p.m. ET, “The Biggest Loser: Couples” (2.9/8 in adults 18-49, 8.2 million viewers overall) ranked #2 among the broadcast networks in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key measures in a time period that included competition from CBS’s “NCIS” and “NCIS: LA,” ABC’s “No Ordinary Family” and “V” and Fox’s encore “Glee” and first-run “Million Dollar Money Drop.”
From its first half-hour to its fourth, “Biggest Loser” gained 23 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.2 from a 2.6) and 13 percent or more than 1.0 million persons in total viewers (to 8.8 million from 7.8 million). By its final half-hour from 9:30-10 p.m. ET, “Biggest Loser” had pulled to within a tenth of a rating point of #1 in adults 18-49 and was #1 in adults 18-34, women 18-34 and women 18-49.
Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET, “Parenthood” (2.1/6 in 18-49, 5.6 million viewers overall) tied for #1 among the broadcast networks in adults 18-49 and was #1 outright in adults, men and women 18-34. With each of its three episodes to air so far this month, “Parenthood” has matched or topped its 18-49 rating for every other telecast since September 21.
These “Parenthood” results are likely to increase substantially when Nielsen issues “live plus seven day” results for the week of January 10-16. Through the season’s first 16 weeks, “Parenthood” has added an average 43 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from the previously reported “live plus same day” ratings to its “live plus seven day” results. On a percentage basis, “Parenthood” is the #1 biggest gainer in going from “live plus same day” to “live plus seven” among all primetime series on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW. In total viewers, “Parenthood” is also the #1 biggest gainer in terms of percentage increase in going from “live plus same day” to “live plus seven day,” adding an average 38 percent.
NBC ranked #2 on Tuesday night among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and most other key measures, tied for #1 in adults 18-34 and ranked #1 outright among women 18-34.
On Wednesday, Jan. 19 from 8-9 p.m. ET, “Minute To Win It” ticked off a 1.6/4 in adults 18-49 and 5.1 million viewers overall in a highly competitive time period that included Fox’s season premiere of “American Idol,” CBS’s “Live To Dance” and ABC’s “The Middle” and Better With You.”
Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, “Chase” averaged a 1.0/3 in 18-49 and 4.4 million viewers overall in a fiercely competitive time period that included Fox’s “American Idol” premiere, CBS’s “Criminal Minds” and ABC’s “Modern Family” and Cougar Town.”
On Wednesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (2.3/7 in 18-49, 7.0 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in the hour in adults 18-49 and other key measures versus CBS’s time-period premiere of Blue Bloods” and week two of ABC’s “Off the Map.” “SVU” also ranked #1 in the hour in adults, men and women 18-34. Versus NBC’s averages in this slot last season, “SVU” was up 21 percent in 18-49 rating (2.3 vs. 1.9, “live plus same day,” non-sports).
From its first half-hour to its second, “SVU” increased by 4 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.4 from a 2.3) and 3 percent in total viewers (to 7.1 million from 6.9 million) while the competing dramas on ABC and CBS were declining half-hour to half-hour in both categories.
So far this season, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” added an average 28 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from the previously reported “live plus same day” rating to its “live plus seven day” figure. In total viewers, “SVU” has added an average 18 percent or more than 1.6 million persons in going from “live plus same day” to “live plus seven day.”
On Thursday, Jan. 20 from 8-8:30 p.m. ET, “Community” (2.2/6 in 18-49, 4.7 million viewers overall) equaled its season high in 18-49 rating for a regular-slot telecast, despite the arrival of “American Idol” competition to a time period that already included CBS’s “Big Bang Theory” and ABC’s “Winter Wipeout.” The last time “Community” hit a 2.2 rating in this time period was October 14. The October 28 Halloween episode aired at 8:30 p.m. and scared up a 2.4 rating. “Community” was up 16 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC’s average in this slot for the traditional 2009-10 season (2.2 vs. 1.9, non-sports, “live plus same day”).
So far this season, “Community” has added an average 25 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from the previously reported “live plus same day” rating to its “live plus seven day” figure, making it the #4 biggest gainer on a percentage basis among half-hour comedies, behind only “The Office,” “Modern Family” and “30 Rock.”
Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET, the debut of “Perfect Couples” (2.1/6 in 18-49, 4.2 million viewers overall) retained 95 percent of its lead-in from “Community” in adults 18-49 and retained 100 percent of its lead-in in women 18-49 (2.3 vs. 2.3) and women 18-34 (2.8 vs. 2.8). “Perfect Couples” was up 11 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC’s average in this slot last season (2.1 vs. 1.9, non-sports, “live plus same day”). Competing with “American idol,” “Perfect Couples” finished within 2 shares of second place among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in the half-hour in adults 18-49.
Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, “The Office” (4.5/12 in adults 18-49, 8.3 million viewers overall) filed its highest 18-49 rating of the season and its best since the March 4, 2010 telecast featuring the birth of Pam and Jim’s baby (4.7).
“The Office” was the #1 scripted series of the night in adults 18-49. In its time period, “The Office” ranked #1 in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key measures, ahead of competition that included CBS’s “CSI” and Fox’s “Bones,” which benefitted from an “American Idol” lead-in.
These results for “The Office” are likely to increase substantially when Nielsen issues “live plus seven day” results for the week of January 17-23. So far this season, “The Office” has added an average 32 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from the previously reported “live plus same day” rating to its “live plus seven day” figure. On a percentage basis, “The Office” is the #1 biggest gainer from “live plus same day” to “live plus seven” among all half-hour comedies on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox or CW.
Thursday, from 9:31-10 p.m. ET, the third season premiere of “Parks and Recreation” (3.2/8 in 18-49, 6.1 million viewers overall) set a new series record in 18-49 rating and attracted the show’s biggest overall viewership since its original series premiere on April 9, 2009. In the time period, “Parks and Recreation” ranked #2 among the broadcast networks in adults 18-49, within a tenth of a rating point of first place, and was #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults, men and women 18-34 and men 18-49.
Versus its year-ago season premiere, in the Thursday 8:30 p.m. half-hour on September 17, 2009, “Parks and Recreation” was up 52 percent in 18-49 rating (3.2 vs. 2.1) and 26 percent in total viewers (6.136 million vs. 4.885 million).
Thursday from 10-10:31 p.m. ET, “30 Rock” (2.7/7 in 18-49, 5.3 million viewers overall) earned NBC’s top 18-49 non-sports rating in the time period since April 15, 2010. “30 Rock” finished within 0.2 of a rating point of the time-period lead among the broadcast networks in adults 18-49 and was #1 in adults, men and women 18-34 and men 18-49. “30 Rock” improved on NBC’s time-period average in this half-hour last season by 42 percent in 18-49 rating (2.7 vs. 1.9).
So far this season, “30 Rock” has added an average 28 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from the previously reported “live plus same day” rating to its “live plus seven day” figure, making it the #3 biggest gainer on a percentage basis among half-hour comedies, behind only “The Office” and “Modern Family.”
Thursday from 10:31-11 p.m. ET, “Outsourced” (1.8/5 in 18-49, 4.0 million viewers overall) dialed in with NBC’s highest 18-49 rating in this time period, excluding sports, since May 20, 2010. In the time period, “Outsourced” ranked #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults, men and women 18-34.
So far this season, “Outsourced” has added an average 22 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from the previously reported “live plus same day” rating to its “live plus seven day” figure. On a percentage basis, “Outsourced” is the #1 biggest gainer going from “live plus same day” to “live plus seven” among all first-year half-hour comedies on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox or CW.
With the debut of its new Thursday comedy lineup, NBC scored its highest Thursday 18-49 average of the season, and the highest for a non-sports Thursday since March 4, 2010.
On Friday, Jan. 21 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of “Minute To Win It” (1.2/4 in 18-49, 4.7 million viewers overall) clocked NBC’s top total-viewer result in the hour since October 8. From its first half-hour to its second, “Minute” grew by 8 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.3 from a 1.2) and 7 percent in total viewers (4.8 million vs. 4.5 million).
Friday from 9-11 p.m. ET, “Dateline” averaged a 1.4/4 in 18-49 and 6.4 million viewers overall. For its second hour from 10-11 p.m., “Dateline” was #1 or tied for #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults, men and women 25-54 and men 18-49.
On Saturday, Jan. 22 at 8 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of “Harry’s Law” (0.6/2 in 18-49, 4.1 million viewers overall) grew from its first half-hour to its second by 20 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 0.6 from a 0.5) and by 22 percent in adults 25-54 (to a 1.1 from a 0.9).
Saturday at 9 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of “Law & Order: Los Angeles” (0.6/2 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall) grew versus the prior week’s rebroadcast in the same time period by 50 percent in 18-49 rating (0.6 vs. 0.4) and by 64 percent in total viewers (3.834 million vs. 2.331 million).
Saturday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of “Law & Order: SVU” (1.1/3 in 18-49, 5.1 million viewers overall) was up versus the prior week’s rebroadcast in the same time period by 38 percent in 18-49 rating (1.1 vs. 0.8) and 35 percent in total viewers (5.103 million vs. 3.768 million). From its first half-hour to its second, “SVU” grew by 33 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.2 from a 0.9). “SVU” ranked #2 among ABC, CBS and NBC in the time period in adults 18-49 and most other key categories and was #1 in women 18-34.
On Sunday, January 23, from 7-8 p.m. ET, “Dateline NBC” averaged a 0.6/2 in 18-49 and 4.6 million viewers overall.
Sunday from 8-11 p.m. ET, NBC’s telecast of the 2008 feature film “Sex and the City” averaged a 0.9/2 in 18-49 and 3.2 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its sixth, “Sex and the City” grew by 117 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.3 from a 0.6) and by 34 percent or 1.0 million persons in total viewers (to 4.0 million from 3.0 million). For its final hour from 10-11 p.m., “Sex and the City” ranked #2 among ABC, CBS and NBC in all key ratings categories.
WEEKLY AVERAGES
Average rating, share and audience in each category
ADULTS 18-49
CBS 4.9/14, 6.5 million
Fox 3.6/10, 4.7 million
ABC 1.7/5, 2.2 million
NBC 1.7/5, 2.2 million
CW 0.5/1, 0.7 million
Each rating point equals 1.31 million viewers
ADULTS 25-54
CBS 6.0/15, 7.5 million
Fox 4.0/10, 5.0 million
ABC 2.1/5, 2.6 million
NBC 2.0/5, 2.5 million
CW 0.5/1, 0.6 million
Each rating point equals 1.24 million viewers
TOTAL VIEWERS
CBS 5.8/15, 17.2 million
Fox 3.3/8, 9.8 million
ABC 1.9/5, 5.6 million
NBC 1.9/5, 5.6 million
CW 0.4/1, 1.3 million
Each rating point equals 2.95 million viewers
2010-11 SEASON AVERAGES
Average rating, share and audience in each category
ADULTS 18-49
CBS 3.1/9, 4.1 million
Fox 2.8/8, 3.7 million
NBC 2.7/8, 3.5 million
ABC 2.5/7, 3.2 million
CW 1.0/3, 1.3 million
Each rating point equals 1.31 million viewers
ADULTS 25-54
CBS 4.1/10, 5.1 million
NBC 3.2/8, 3.9 million
Fox 3.1/8, 3.9 million
ABC 3.0/8, 3.8 million
CW 0.9/2, 1.1 million
Each rating point equals 1.24 million viewers
TOTAL VIEWERS
CBS 4.1/11, 12.1 million
ABC 2.9/7, 8.5 million
NBC 2.7//7, 8.0 million
Fox 2.7/7, 7.9 million
CW 0.7/2, 2.2 million
Each rating point equals 2.95 million viewers
(source: NBC)
