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[01/07/09 - 12:22 PM]
NBC Is #1 in Primetime for the Second Week in a Row, Winning the DeC. 29-JaN. 4 Week in Adults 18-49
NBC spins the numbers for the week of December 29-January 4.

[via press release from NBC]

NBC IS #1 IN PRIMETIME FOR THE SECOND WEEK IN A ROW, WINNING THE DEC. 29-JAN. 4 WEEK IN ADULTS 18-49

NBC ALSO TAKES THE WEEK IN ADULTS 25-54, TOTAL VIEWERS AND OTHER KEY MEASURES

NBC'S SATURDAY CHARGERS-COLTS NFL WILDCARD GAME IS THE #1 PRIMETIME TELECAST OF THE WEEK AND THE ENTIRE 2008-09 SEASON TO DATE IN ADULTS 18-49 AND TOTAL VIEWERS

NBC BLITZES THE COMPETITION ON SATURDAY NIGHT, NEARLY DOUBLING THE COMBINED VIEWERSHIP OF ABC, CBS AND FOX IN PRIMETIME AND MORE THAN DOUBLING THE OTHER BROADCAST NETWORKS COMBINED IN ADULTS 18-49

SUNDAY'S 'SUPERSTARS OF DANCE' PREVIEW LEAPS TO NBC'S HIGHEST NON-SPORTS RESULTS IN THE SLOT SINCE LAST FEBRUARY

'DEAL OR NO DEAL' ON FRIDAY DELIVERS NBC'S BIGGEST OVERALL AUDIENCE IN ITS SLOT SINCE LAST FEBRUARY, EXCLUDING OLYMPICS

NBC WINS TUESDAY NIGHT IN ADULTS 18-49 AND OTHER KEY DEMOS, AS 'LAW & ORDER: SVU' ENCORES SURGE

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. � January 7, 2009 � NBC won its second consecutive week in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, paced by Saturday's NFL Wild Card game, which was the #1 primetime telecast of the week in virtually all key measures. NBC led the week of December 29-January 4 in adults 18-49 and total viewers with a 2.9 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49 and 9.4 million viewers overall, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

NBC also ranked #1 for the week among adults 25-54, adults 18-34 (tied with Fox) and all key adult-female demographics � women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

NBC Sports' coverage of the San Diego Chargers' 23-17 overtime victory over the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL Wild Card playoff game on Saturday night was the #1 telecast of the week in adults 18-49, adults18-34, adults 25-54, total viewers and most other key measures. It is also the #1 primetime telecast of the 2008-09 season to date in both adults 18-49 and total viewers. The telecast marks the highest-rated primetime program on any network in adults 18-49 since NBC's Olympics coverage on Saturday August 16, 2008 and in total viewers since NBC's Olympics coverage on Sunday, August 24, 2008.

NBC's Sunday preview of the new series "Superstars of Dance" also earned a place in the week's top 10 in key demographics, ranking #8 in adults 18-49 and #6 in adults 18-34 among all programs this week. (Note: weekly program rankings exclude football overruns, post-game and pre-game telecasts).

Through the first 15 weeks of the 2008-09 season, NBC is now the "second youngest" of the major broadcast networks, with a median age of 46.7 years, only 1.2 years "older" than Fox (45.5 years). By comparison, ABC's median age is 49.8 and CBS's median age is 53.6. Season to date, NBC is #1 in adults 18-34 (tied with Fox at a 2.6/8) and is tied for #2 in adults 18-49, running within 0.2 of a rating point of first place.

Primetime averages for the week of December 29-January 4 in adults 18-49 were NBC (2.9/8), Fox (2.8/8), ABC (2.1/6), CBS (2.0/5), Univision (1.3/4), Telemundo (0.5/1) and CW (0.4/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were NBC (9.4 million), Fox (8.7 million), CBS (8.4 million), ABC (6.5 million), Univision (3.5 million), CW (1.3 million) and Telemundo (1.1 million).

NBC highlights for the week of December 29-January 4:

* NBC Sports' coverage of the San Diego Chargers-Indianapolis Colts NFL Wild Card game propelled NBC to the top-rated night of primetime for any network in adults 18-49 since NBC's Olympics coverage on Saturday, August 16, 2008 and in total viewers since NBC's Olympics coverage on Sunday, August 24, 2008.

* NBC blitzed the competition on Saturday night, nearly doubling the overall viewership of the other three major broadcast networks combined, and more than doubling the combined rating of the three other broadcast networks in adults 18-49.

* On Sunday, a two-hour preview of the new series "Superstars of Dance" leaped to NBC's highest non-sports results in the time period since February 17, 2008 in both adults 18-49 and total viewers. "Superstars of Dance," which ranked #2 in its competitive slot in adults 18-49, soared 48 percent in 18-49 and 68 percent in total viewers versus NBC's non-sports average in the time period last season.

* On Friday, "Deal or No Deal" delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating in its slot since October 24 and the network's biggest overall audience since February 22, excluding Olympics. "Deal" was the #1 non-sports telecast in the hour in total viewers

* On Thursday, a special two-hour New Year's edition of "Deal or No Deal" surged by 50 percent in 18-49 and 37 percent or 3.0 million persons in total viewers from its first half-hour to its fourth. In its second hour from 9-10 p.m., "Deal" ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in total viewers. Versus its telecast one week earlier on Christmas night, the New Year's edition of "Deal" grew 38 percent in 18-49 rating and 45 percent or 3.0 million persons in total viewers.

* On Tuesday, the 9 p.m. "Law & Order: SVU" rebroadcast won its slot in adults 18-49 and other key measures, increasing 63 percent in 18-49 and 59 percent in total viewers versus the prior week. A second "SVU" encore at 10 p.m. also dominated its slot in the key demos, scoring the highest 18-49 rating for an "SVU" rebroadcast so far this season

* NBC ranked #1 in primetime Tuesday in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key demos.

* On Monday, "Momma's Boys" gained 6 percent in 18-49 rating versus its Monday debut of a week earlier. "Boys" ranked #2 in the time period in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and adults 25-54 and tied for #1 among women 18-34.

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 December 29-January 4:

On Monday, Dec. 29 from 8-9 p.m. ET, the special "Greatest Holiday Moments: Hilarious Home Video Countdown" averaged a 1.5 rating, 4 share in adults 18-49 and 6.0 million viewers overall. The special increased from its first half-hour to its second in all key demographics, with gains of 14 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.6 from a 1.4) and 18 percent in men 18-49 and women 18-34 (to a 1.3 from a 1.1 in both demos)

Monday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (1.7/4 in 18-49, 7.3 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the time period in total viewers. From its first to its second half-hour, "Deal" grew by 54 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.0/5 from a 1.3/4) and by 37 percent or 2.3 million persons in total viewers (to 8.4 million from 6.1 million).

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, "Momma's Boys" (1.8/5 in adults 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and adults 25-45 and tied for #1 among the broadcast networks in women 18-34. Versus the show's two-hour 9-11 p.m. Monday debut the prior week, "Momma's Boys" increased 6 percent in adults 18-49 (1.8 vs. 1.7).

On Tuesday, Dec. 30 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order" (1.5/5 in 18-49, 5.3 million viewers overall) increased 15 percent in 18-49 versus the prior week's encore in this time period (1.5 vs. 1.3). From its first half-hour to its second, "Law & Order" grew by 14 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.6 from a 1.4). Among women 18-34, "Law & Order" grew 23 percent from half-hour to half-hour (to a 1.6 from a 1.3).

At 9 p.m., a rebroadcast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2.6/7 in 18-49, 9.6 million viewers overall) won the hour in adults 18-49 and most key demographics. Week-to-week, the "SVU" encore surged in the time period by 63 percent in 18-49 rating (2.6 vs. 1.6) and by 59 percent in total viewers (9.6 million vs. 6.0 million). From its first half-hour to its second, "SVU" increased 17 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.8 from a 2.4) and by 16 percent or 1.5 million persons in total viewers (to 10.4 million from 8.9 million).

At 10 p.m., a second encore telecast of "Law & Order: SVU" (2.7/7 in 18-49, 8.9 million viewers overall) won the time period in nearly all key demographics, including adults 18-49, and beat the ABC-CBS competition combined in adults 18-34. This was the highest-rated encore telecast of "SVU" in adults 18-49 since April 8. Versus the prior week, the 10 p.m. "SVU" encore was up 35 percent in adults 18-49 (2.7 vs. 2.0) and 26 percent in total viewers (8.9 million vs. 7.1 million).

NBC ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in primetime Tuesday in adults and women 18-49 and adults and women 18-34.

On Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET, "Knight Rider" (1.2/4 in 18-49, 4.5 million viewers overall) ranked #2 or tied for #2 in adults 18-34, adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and all key adult-male demos. At 9 p.m., an encore "Law & Order: SVU" averaged a 1.0/3 in 18-49 and 4.0 million viewers overall.

Wednesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, the primetime portion of "NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly" averaged a 1.2/4 in 18-49 and 3.9 million viewers overall, building on its lead-in from the previous hour by 20 percent in 18-49 rating. From its first half-hour to its second in primetime, "NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly" grew by 18 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.3/4 from a 1.1/4). Versus NBC's 10-11 p.m. programming on New Year's Eve last year, this year's "New Year's Eve with Carson Daly" was up 50 percent in 18-49 rating (1.2 vs. 0.8 for an "SVU" encore) and up 8 percent in total viewers (3.9 million vs. 3.6 million).

On Thursday, Jan. 1 from 8-10 p.m. ET, a special New Year's edition of "Deal or No Deal" averaged a 2.2/6 in adults 18-49 and 9.5 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Deal" increased by 50 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.7/7 from a 1.8/5) and by 37 percent or 3.0 million persons in total viewers (to 11.0 million from 8.0 million). In its second hour from 9-10 p.m., "Deal" ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in total viewers. Versus its telecast one week earlier on Christmas night, "Deal" was up 38 percent in 18-49 rating (2.2 vs. 1.8) and 45 percent or 3.0 million persons in total viewers (9.5 million vs. 6.5 million).

Thursday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "The Office" (1.6/4 in 18-49, 4.1 million viewers overall) finished within one tenth of a rating point of the time-period lead in adults 18-49 and won the hour in adults, men and women 18-34 and men 18-49. Versus its telecast in this time period one week earlier, "The Office" was up 33 percent in 18-49 rating (1.6 vs. 1.2).

On Friday, Jan. 2 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (1.4/4 in 18-49, 7.1 million viewers overall) delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this slot since October 24 and the network's biggest overall audience, excluding Olympics, since February 22. "Deal" was the #1 non-sports telecast in the hour in total viewers.

Friday at 9 p.m. ET, "Lipstick Jungle" (1.3/4 in 18-49, 4.2 million viewers overall) attracted its biggest overall audience in the show's seven telecasts on Friday and its second-highest 18-49 rating in those seven telecasts. It is worth noting that "Lipstick Jungle" has been adding an average 34 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven day" results, making "Lipstick Jungle" the #1 primetime series on any major network in terms of biggest percentage increase from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven." In total viewers, "Lipstick Jungle" has been adding an average 952,000 viewers to its previously reported "live plus same day" numbers when "live plus seven day" viewing is counted. Counting all time-shifting (going from "live only" to "live plus seven"), "Lipstick Jungle" is the second most time-shifted primetime series on the major networks, gaining a total of 51 percent in 18-49 when going from "live only" to "live plus seven" (trailing only "The Office," which adds 52 percent).

Friday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.2/3 in 18-49, 4.8 million viewers overall) increased from its first half-hour to its second by 27 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.4/4 from a 1.1/3) and by 20 percent in total viewers (to 5.2 million from 4.3 million).

On Saturday, Jan. 3, NBC Sports' coverage of the San Diego Chargers-Indianapolis Colts NFL Wild Card playoff game dominated the competition and propelled NBC to the top-rated primetime night for any network in adults 18-49 since NBC's Olympics coverage on Saturday, August 16, 2008 and in total viewers since NBC's Olympics coverage on Sunday, August 24, 2008. For the full primetime night (Saturday from 8-11 p.m.), NBC nearly doubled the other three major broadcast networks combined in total viewers (26.6 million viewers overall from 8-11 p.m. for NBC vs. 13.4 million for ABC, CBS and Fox combined) and more than doubled the combined rating of the other three broadcast networks in adults 18-49 (a 9.4 for NBC vs. a combined 3.7 for ABC, CBS and Fox).

For its full duration, the game averaged a 10.0/27 in adults 18-49, 27.8 million viewers overall and a 16.1/27 household rating and share from 8:09-11:42 p.m. ET. The pre-kickoff telecast from 8-8:09 p.m. averaged a 7.6/24 in adults 18-49, 21.9 million viewers overall and a 13.1/23 household rating and share.

On Sunday, Jan. 4 from 7-9 p.m. ET, the special "Saturday Night Live: Sports Extra" (2.2/6 in 18-49, 5.6 million viewers overall) scored NBC's top non-sports rating in the time period since February 17, 2008 and attracted the network's biggest overall viewership in the slot excluding sports since April 27, 2008. From its first half-hour to its fourth, the special increased by 80 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.7/7 from a 1.5/4) and grew 52 percent or 2.3 million persons in total viewers (to 6.6 million from 4.4 million). Versus NBC's non-sports average in this time period last season, "Saturday Night Live: Sports Extra" was up 47 percent in 18-49 rating (2.2 vs. 1.5).

From 9-11 p.m. ET, a Sunday preview of the new series "Superstars of Dance" (3.1/8 in 18-49, 10.6 million viewers overall) leaped to NBC's highest non-sports results in the time period since February 17, 2008 in both adults 18-49 and total viewers. "Superstars of Dance" ranked #2 in the competitive time period in adults 18-49.

Versus NBC's non-sports average in this time period last season, "Superstars of Dance" soared 48 percent in 18-49 rating (3.1 vs. 2.1) and 68 percent in total viewers (10.6 million and 6.3 million).





  [january 2009]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
    


· DEAL OR NO DEAL (CNBC)
· LAW & ORDER (NBC)
· LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT (NBC)
· LIPSTICK JUNGLE (NBC)
· MOMMA'S BOYS (NBC)
· OFFICE, THE (NBC)
· SUPERSTARS OF DANCE (NBC)





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