nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, october 2, 2010)

Here are the highlights of the nine ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night:

CBS (8.55 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.9, #1) was the network to beat on Saturday with its coverage of the "SEC on CBS: Florida @ Alabama" (8.55 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.9, #1).

FOX (4.54 million viewers, #T2; adults 18-49: 1.4, #2) once again had to settle for second place with its usual mix of "Cops" (4.62 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.3, #T4) and "America's Most Wanted" (4.45 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 1.4, #T2).

Next up was ABC (3.99 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.3, #3) with its own "Saturday Night College Football" (3.99 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 1.3, #T4) coverage.

And finally, repeats of "The Event" (3.31 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.7, #7), "Law & Order: Los Angeles" (4.46 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.9, #6) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (5.85 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.4, #T2) on NBC (4.54 million viewers, #T2; adults 18-49: 1.0, #4) rounded out the evening.

And in late-night, the 36th season premiere of "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 4.8 household rating, 12 share in the metered markets.

Here are the highlights of the nine ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (10/3/09):

ABC (6.51 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.1, #1) coasted to another victory thanks to its coverage of "Saturday Night College Football" (6.51 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.1, #1).

FOX (4.71 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.5, #2) then had to settle for second place with a full hour of "Cops" (4.58 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 1.6, #2) and a new "America's Most Wanted" (4.84 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 1.5, #3).

Next up was CBS (5.94 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.2, #3) with repeats of "CSI: NY" (4.63 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.8, #8), "Criminal Minds" (6.39 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.3, #T4) and a new "48 Hours Mystery" (6.50 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.3, #T4).

And finally, NBC (4.07 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.0, #4) rounded out the night with second runs of "Mercy" (3.02 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.7, #9), "Trauma" (3.90 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.9, #7) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (5.29 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.3, #T4).

Source: Nielsen Media Research