nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, april 30, 2011)

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

FOX (5.65 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.6, #1) was once again the network to beat with its coverage of the "NASCAR '11: Richmond 500" (5.65 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.6, #1).

ABC (3.58 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.1, #2) then took home the silver with the theatrical "Batman Begins" (3.58 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 1.1, #2).

Next up was NBC (4.09 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T3) with a new "Chase" (3.74 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T5) followed by repeats of "Law & Order: Los Angeles" (3.51 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T5) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (5.01 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T3).

And finally, the special "Fight Camp 360: Pacquiao vs. Mosley" (1.19 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.3, #8) led into a repeat of "Criminal Minds" (3.52 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T5) and a new "48 Hours Mystery" (5.41 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T3) on CBS (3.37 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T3).

In late-night metered market ratings (via NBC's press release):

An encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live" (3.9/10 in metered-market households), hosted by Dana Carvey and featuring musical guest Linkin Park, dominated its time period. "SNL" matched its highest metered-market household rating for a rebroadcast since January 22 (with an edition hosted by Robert De Niro with musical guest Diddy Dirty Money).

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 2.0 rating, 9 share in adults 18-49, making it the #1 telecast of the night, outscoring all primetime programs on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. "SNL" equaled its highest Local People Meter rating in 18-49 for an encore since February 26 (with an edition hosted by Anne Hathaway with musical guest Florence and the Machine).

Here are the highlights of the nine ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (5/1/10):

Coverage of "NASCAR: Richmond 500" (5.87 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.9, #1) powered FOX (5.87 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.9, #1) to an easy win on Saturday.

ABC (4.34 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.2, #2) then claimed the silver with repeats of "Meet the Fockers" (4.24 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 1.3, #T2) and "Castle" (4.53 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T5).

Next up was NBC (4.09 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.0, #3) with second runs of "Parenthood" (2.74 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.8, #8), "Law & Order" (4.39 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T5) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (5.13 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.3, #T2).

And finally, repeats of "NCIS" (3.99 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.6, #9) and "The Mentalist" (5.03 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.9, #7) lead into a new "48 Hours Mystery" (5.47 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.2, #4) on CBS (4.83 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.9, #4).

Source: Nielsen Media Research