NBC Is #1 In 18-49 For Week 3 Of The Season And Continues Winning Streak

NBC has won the primetime week of Oct. 3-9 in the key demographic of adults 18-49, winning head to head versus CBS’s broadcast-only average for the week.

According to “live plus same day” figures from Nielsen Media Research, NBC averaged a 2.0 rating for Oct. 3-9 in adults 18-49, while CBS averaged a 1.9 excluding a Thursday boost from the addition of viewers watching “Thursday Night Football” on the NFL Network.

NBC was led for the week by top-30 rankings for “Sunday Night Football,” two editions of “The Voice,” the series debut of “Timeless,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Chicago P.D.,” “The Good Place” and NBC News’ Tuesday Vice Presidential Debate Analysis. Rankings exclude sports pre- and post-game shows.

In head-to-head network-only averages that exclude CBS’s boosts of NFL Network viewers, NBC has now ranked #1 among the Big 4 networks in viewers 18-49 for three of three weeks so far this season, five in a row extending into last summer and 15 of 16 overall.

Top NBC rankings for the week among primetime shows on the Big 4 networks in 18-49 are: “Sunday Night Football,” #1; Monday’s “Voice,” #5; Tuesday’s “Voice” encore recap, #12; Monday’s premiere of “Timeless,” tied for #14; and Wednesday’s “Law & Order: SVU” and “Chicago P.D.,” Thursday’s “The Good Place” and Tuesday’s Debate Analysis, all tied for #25.

In total viewers, NBC also got top-30 rankings among Big 4 primetime shows from “Sunday Night Football,” the Monday and Tuesday editions of “The Voice,” “Timeless,” “Chicago Med,” “The Blacklist” and “Chicago P.D.”

Despite airing against high-rated Presidential debate coverage, Sunday’s Giants-Packers “Sunday Night Football” telecast was the week’s #1 rated program on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54, all key adult-male demos, women 18-49 (tie), women 18-34, teens 12-17 and kids 2-11.

Season to date, NBC ranks #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in every key demographic and is #1 in adults 18-49 counting entertainment programming only.

Week 3, All Programs, Excluding CBS’s Thursday NFL Network Boost

Adult 18-49 Rating, “L+SD,” Oct. 3-9

NBC…2.0

CBS…1.9

ABC…1.4

Fox…1.1

Total Viewers

CBS…9.1 million

NBC…7.3 million

ABC…6.1 million

Fox…3.4 million

Week 3, All Programs

Adult 18-49 Rating, “L+SD,” Oct. 3-9

CBS…2.1

NBC…2.0

ABC…1.4

Fox…1.1

Total Viewers

CBS…9.6 million

NBC…7.3 million

ABC…6.1 million

Fox…3.4 million

Season to Date, All Programs

Adult 18-49 Rating, “Most Current”

NBC…2.5

CBS…2.2

ABC…1.7

Fox…1.5

Total Viewers

CBS…10.5 million

NBC…8.8 million

ABC…6.8 million

Fox…4.5 million

NBC highlights for the week of Oct. 3-9:

Monday

NBC won the night in 18-49 and total viewers among the Big 4.

“The Voice” (3.0/10 in 18-49, 11.8 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) won the time period among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, total viewers, adults 25-54, adults 18-34 and all key adult-female demos, beating “Dancing With the Stars” by a +76% margin in adults 18-49 (3.0 vs. 1.7 from 8-10 p.m.) and topping “Dancing” in every other key measure. “Voice” retained +100% of its 3.0 for the same episode of the prior cycle in 18-49 (3.0 on March 14) and grew +6% among millennials (1.9 vs. 1.8).

“Live Plus Three Day” Ratings: “Voice” increased by +24% in 18-49 (2.98 to 3.97) and more than +2.0 million viewers overall (11.8 million to 13.8 million) going from “live plus same day” Nielsens to L+3.

“Live Plus Seven Day” Ratings: So far this season, “The Voice” is growing by +31% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 3.2 to a 4.2) and +2.8 million viewers overall (11.9 million to 14.7 million).

The premiere of “Timeless” (1.8/6 in 18-49, 7.6 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) won the hour among ABC, CBS and NBC in 18-49, beating the debut of ABC’s “Conviction” by a +100% margin in 18-49 rating (1.0 vs. 0.9) and topping the second hour of CBS’s two-hour “Scorpion” season premiere by +20% (1.8 vs. 1.5 from 10-11 for “Scorpion”). “Timeless” equaled NBC’s highest 18-49 rating in the slot with regular programming since Nov. 23, 2015 and delivered the network’s biggest overall viewership with regular programs since Nov. 16, 2015. “Timeless” also won the 10 p.m. hour among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 25-54, adults 18-34 and all key adult-female demos. L+3: “Timeless” grew by +50% in 18-49 (1.83 to 2.75) and +3.5 million viewers overall (7.6 million to 11.1 million) going from L+SD to L+3.

Tuesday

NBC won Tuesday night in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 (tie) and all key adult-female demographics.

An encore recap telecast of “The Voice” (2.0/7 in 18-49, 7.9 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) won the hour in adults, men and women 18-49 and adults, men and women 18-34 versus all original programming on the other Big 4 networks.

The Vice Presidential Debate aired from 9-10:36 p.m. ET as sustaining programming and isn’t included in nightly, weekly or season averages.

From 10:36-11 p.m. ET, NBC News’ post-debate analysis (1.4/5 in 18-49, 5.1 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among the ABC, CBS and NBC analysis programs in every key Nielsen measure.

Wednesday

“Blindspot” (1.3/5 in 18-49, 5.7 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) equaled the prior week’s 1.3 in 18-49 and grew +2% in total viewers (5.708 million vs. 5.604 million), to match the show’s highest 18-49 rating since April 25 (1.4), excluding a Sept. 14 episode that followed the season finale of “America’s Got Talent,” and equal its last four telecasts on Monday night last season, each of which benefited from a “Voice” lead-in. “Blindspot” was up +18% versus NBC’s average in the hour last season in 18-49 (1.3 vs. 1.1, L+SD non-sports). L+3: “Blindspot” grew by +50% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.31 to 1.97) and +2.2 million viewers overall (6.1 million to 7.9 million) going from L+SD to L+6. L+7: “Blindspot” has increased by +71% so far this season in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.4 to a 2.4) and 3.4 million viewers overall (6.1 million to 9.5 million). Upscale: “Blindspot” is delivering a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 120 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (100 represents an average concentration of those homes).

“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (1.4/4 in 18-49, 5.8 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) tied “Criminal Minds” in the time period in 18-49 (1.4 vs. 1.4) and outrated the CBS drama in adults, men and women 18-34. “SVU” grew +8% versus what the show was averaging at the end of last season in 18-49 (1.4 vs. 1.3 during the May sweep). L+3: “SVU” grew by +66% in 18-49 (1.36 to 2.26) and more than +2.5 million viewers overall (5.8 million to 8.3 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: “SVU” has grown by +81% so far this season in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.6 to a 2.9) and more than 3.7 million viewers overall (6.5 million to 10.3 million).

“Chicago P.D.” (1.4/5 in 18-49, 6.2 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) pulled within 0.2 of “Designated Survivor” in the time period (1.4 vs. 1.6 on Sept. 28), cutting the ABC drama’s margin from 0.3 of a point one week earlier (1.5 vs. 1.8) and 0.6 two weeks earlier (1.6 vs. 2.2 on Sept. 21). “P.D.” grew +8% versus what the show was averaging at the end of last season in 18-49 (1.4 vs. 1.3 during the May sweep). “P.D.” tied for #1 in the time period among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-34 and ranked #1 outright among those nets in women 18-34, while outrating CBS’s “Code Black” in the time period in every key measure. L+3: “P.D.” increased by +60% in 18-49 (1.37 to 2.19) and +3.1 million viewers overall (6.2 million to 9.3 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: “Chicago P.D.” is increasing by +73% in 18-49 rating so far this season going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.5 to a 2.6) and 3.9 million viewers overall (6.4 million to 10.3 million).

Thursday

“Superstore” (1.3/5 in 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall from 8-8:30 p.m. ET) maintained +100% week to week in 18-49 (1.3 vs. 1.3) and was up +15% in total viewers (5.0 million vs. 4.4 million), and was up +30% versus NBC’s average in the slot last season in 18-49 (1.3 vs. 1.0, L+SD non-sports). L+3: “Superstore.” increased by +37% in 18-49 (1.32 to 1.81) and more than +1.0 million viewers overall (5.0 million to 6.1 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: So far this season, “Superstore” is growing by +54% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.3 to a 2.0) and more than 1.3 million viewers overall (5.0 million to 6.3 million). Upscale: “Superstore” is delivering a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 124 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (100 represents an average concentration of those homes).

“The Good Place” (1.4/5 in 18-49, 4.9 million viewers overall from 8:30-9 p.m. ET) ranked as the #2 non-sports show of the night in 18-49. “Good Place” matched its regular-slot high to date and equaled NBC’s best rating in the half-hour with regular programming since Oct. 1, 2015 (1.6). “Good Place” grew +8% week to week in 18-49 (1.4 vs. 1.3) and +9% in total viewers (4.9 million vs. 4.4 million), and increased +40% versus NBC’s average in the slot last season in 18-49 (1.4 vs. 1.0, L+SD non-sports). L+3: “Good Place” grew by +45% in 18-49 (1.38 to 2.00) and +1.6 million viewers overall (4.9 million to 6.5 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: “The Good Place” is increasing by +69% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 so far this season (from a 1.3 to a 2.2) and 2.3 million viewers overall (4.9 million to 7.2 million). Upscale: “Good Place” is generating a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 141 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (100 represents an average concentration of those homes), making it the #4 most upscale primetime series on the Big 4 nets by that measure.

“Chicago Med” (1.3/4 in 18-49, 6.9 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) ranked #1 in the time period among entertainment programs in adults 18-49 and total viewers, to remain undefeated in the hour this season against non-sports competition on the Big 4 nets in 18-49 and total viewers. On a night of high-rated MLB and NFL competition, “Med” retained 100% of its 18-49 rating week to week (1.3 vs. 1.3) and was up +1% in total viewers (6.9 million vs. 6.8 million).  L+3: “Med” grew by +44% in 18-49 (1.31 to 1.88) and more than +2.3 million viewers overall (6.9 million to 9.2 million) going from L+SD to L+3. L+7: So far this season, “Med” has been increasing by +77% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.3 to a 2.3) and 3.5 million viewers overall (6.9 million to 10.4 million).

“The Blacklist” (1.2/4 in 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) ranked #1 among entertainment programs in the time period ahead of ABC’s “How to Get Away With Murder” in total viewers, as well as adults 25-54 (1.7 vs. 1.5), while tying it in adults 18-49 (1.2 vs. 1.2). “Blacklist” remained undefeated in the slot this season against non-sports competition on the Big 4 nets in total viewers, while registering a week-to-week increase of +9% in 18-49 (1.2 vs. 1.1). L+3: “Blacklist” increased by +76% in 18-49 (1.19 to 2.10) and +3.7 million viewers overall (6.3 million to 10.0 million) going from L+SD to L+3, for the biggest L+3 total-viewer lift of the night. L+7: “Blacklist” has grown by +108% in 18-49 rating so far this season going from L+SD to L+7 (1.2 to a 2.5) and more than 4.9 million viewers overall (6.2 million to 11.2 million). Upscale: “Blacklist” is delivering a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 122 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (100 represents an average concentration of those homes).

Friday 

An encore telecast of “Timeless” averaged a 0.6/2 in 18-49 and 3.2 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET, for NBC’s top total-viewer result in the slot since Sept. 2 (3.3 million with an “America’s Got Talent” encore).

“Dateline NBC” (0.8/3 in 18-49, 1.1 in adults 25-54, 4.2 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) grew from its first half-hour to its fourth by +29% in adults 18-49 (0.7 to 0.9). For its second hour from 10-11 p.m., “Dateline” ranked #2 among ABC, CBS and NBC ahead of ABC’s “20/20” in adults 18-49 adults 25-54 and total viewers. L+3: The prior Friday’s “Dateline NBC” increased by +19% in 18-49 rating (from a 0.98 to a 1.17) and 695,000 viewers overall (4.8 million to 5.5 million) going from L+SD to L+7. L+7: “Dateline” is growing by +20% this season in 18-49 rating (from a 1.0 to a 1.2) and 1.0 million viewers overall (4.7 million to 5.7 million) going from L+SD to L+7. Upscale: “Dateline” is generating a solid upscale audience, indexing at a 115 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (100 represents an average concentration of those homes).

Saturday

With the NASCAR Sprint Cup race from Charlotte postponed due to weather, NBC aired encores of “Dateline Saturday Night Mystery” (0.4/1 in 18-49, 2.2 million viewers overall) and “SNL Vintage” (0.4/2 in 18-49, 1.9 million viewers overall) in primetime.

Sunday

NBC Sports coverage of New York Giants-Green Bay Packers “Sunday Night Football” (5.9/16 in 18-49, 16.6 million viewers overall from 8:31-11:23 p.m. ET) won the night in every key demographic – adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

SOURCE: NBC