nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for tuesday, may 3, 2011)

Here are the highlights of the 13 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night:

NBC (10.70 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 4.6, #1) was the network to beat on Tuesday with a new "The Biggest Loser" (7.35 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 2.6, #6) and week two of "The Voice" (12.38 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 5.6, #1). "The Voice" posted NBC's highest non-sports adults 18-49 rating in the time period since 11/29/05 ("Biggest Loser"/"SVU") and most-watched since 9/1/09 ("America's Got Talent").

CBS (14.54 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.9, #2) then once again had to settle for second place with new episodes of "NCIS" (17.32 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 3.5, #3), "NCIS: Los Angeles" (14.05 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 2.9, #T4) - both season lows - and "The Good Wife" (12.26 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 2.4, #7).

Next up was FOX (6.28 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 2.6, #3) with fresh installments of "Glee" (8.61 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 3.6, #2), "Raising Hope" (4.92 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 1.9, #9) and "Traffic Light" (2.98 million viewers, #11; adults 18-49: 1.2, #11).

Meanwhile, ABC (11.76 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 2.2, #4) offered up its "Dancing With the Stars Recap" (9.27 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 1.8, #10) followed by new episodes of "Dancing With the Stars" (15.60 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 2.9, #T4) and "Body of Proof" (10.39 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 2.0, #8) - tied for a series low.

And finally, new episodes of "One Tree Hill" (1.24 million viewers, #12; adults 18-49: 0.6, #12) and "Hellcats" (0.97 million viewers, #13; adults 18-49: 0.4, #13) on The CW (1.10 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.5, #5) rounded out the evening.

Week-to-week changes (adults 18-49): The Good Wife (20.00% vs. 4/12/11), The Voice (9.80%), Glee (5.90%), Raising Hope (0.00%), Hellcats (0.00%), The Biggest Loser (-3.70%), NCIS (-7.90% vs. 4/12/11), NCIS: Los Angeles (-12.10% vs. 4/12/11), Body of Proof (-13.00%), Traffic Light (-14.30% vs. 4/19/11), One Tree Hill (-14.30%), Dancing With the Stars (-17.10%).

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

In Nielsen's 56 metered markets, household results were: "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," 3.1/8; CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman," 2.9/7; and ABC's combo of "Nightline," 4.2/10; and "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 2.0/6.

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, adult 18-49 results were: "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," 1.2/5; "Late Show," 0.7/3; "Nightline," 1.3/5; and "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 0.6/3.

At 12:35 a.m., "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" (1.5/5 in metered-market households) beat CBS's "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (1.4/5). In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Late Night" (0.6/4 in 18-49) topped "Late Late Show" (0.4/3).

At 1:35 a.m., Last Call with Carson Daly" averaged a 0.9/4 with an encore in metered-market households and a 0.4/3 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.

Here are the highlights of the 12 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (5/4/10):

FOX (14.48 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 5.5, #1) had no trouble taking home the gold on Tuesday with new episodes of "American Idol" (17.08 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 6.1, #1) and "Glee" (11.89 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 5.0, #2).

NBC (7.55 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 3.0, #2) then claimed the silver with new episodes of "The Biggest Loser" (8.34 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 3.2, #4) and "Parenthood" (5.96 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 2.6, #7).

Next up was CBS (14.00 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 2.8, #T3) with fresh installments of "NCIS" (14.83 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 3.1, #5), "NCIS: Los Angeles" (14.22 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 2.9, #6) and "The Good Wife" (12.94 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 2.4, #T8).

Sharing the bronze was ABC (9.00 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 2.8, #T3) and its mix of "Dancing With the Stars" (11.92 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 2.4, #T8), "Lost" (9.50 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 3.9, #3) and "V" (5.58 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 2.2, #10).

And finally, a new "90210" (1.62 million viewers, #11; adults 18-49: 0.7, #11) lead into a repeat of "Life Unexpected" (1.08 million viewers, #12; adults 18-49: 0.4, #12) on The CW (1.35 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.5, #5).

Source: Nielsen Media Research