nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, december 4, 2010)

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

The season finale of "Saturday Night College Football" (8.23 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.4, #1) had no trouble putting ABC (8.23 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.4, #1) on top last night.

FOX (4.87 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.6, #2) then took home the silver with its usual mix of "Cops" (4.79 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 1.6, #T2) and "America's Most Wanted" (4.96 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.6, #T2).

Next up was CBS (4.94 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.3, #3) with the feature "Evan Almighty" (4.58 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 1.3, #T4) followed by a new "48 Hours Mystery" (5.68 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.3, #T4).

And finally, repeats of "Chase" (3.35 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T7), "Law & Order: Los Angeles" (3.61 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T7) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (5.16 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.1, #6) on NBC (4.04 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.8, #4) rounded out the evening.

And in late-night, a new "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 5.0 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 (12/5/09):

The final week of "Saturday Night College Football" (11.40 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 3.6, #1) lifted ABC (11.40 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 3.6, #1) to the top spot on Saturday.

FOX (5.01 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.5, #2) then had to settle for second place with its mainstays "Cops" (5.46 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.8, #T2) and "America's Most Wanted" (5.68 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.8, #T2).

Next up was CBS (5.21 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.3, #3) with its mix of "Medium" (4.69 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 1.2, #6), "CSI: NY" (4.65 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T7) and "48 Hours Mystery" (5.77 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.5, #4).

And finally, repeats of "Parks & Recreation" (1.40 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.3, #9), "The Incredibles" (2.61 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T7) and "The Office" (3.74 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 1.3, #5) on NBC (3.13 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.1, #4) rounded out the evening.

Source: Nielsen Media Research