nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, may 21, 2011)

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

FOX (4.48 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.2, #1) took home demo honors on Saturday with its coverage of "MLB Primetime" (4.48 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.2, #1).

CBS (5.35 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T2) however was the most-watched network with repeats of "Hawaii Five-0" (4.39 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.6, #9) and "NCIS" (5.85 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T6) followed by a new "48 Hours Mystery" (5.82 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.1, #2).

Next up was NBC (4.04 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T2) with the series finale of "Chase" (3.67 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T6) alongside repeats of "Law & Order: Los Angeles" (3.72 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T6) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (4.72 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.0, #3).

And finally, the feature "Spider-Man 3" (2.80 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.8, #5) on ABC (2.80 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T2) closed out the evening.

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

The 36th season finale of "Saturday Night Live" has scored the highest metered-market household average for an "SNL" season-closer in seven years and equaled the highest in 11 years. Last night's telecast, hosted by Justin Timberlake and featuring musical guest Lady Gaga, generated a 21 percent increase over last year's season finale, marking the fourth year in a row "SNL" has matched or topped the season finale of the prior year.

The May 21 edition of "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 7.0 rating, 17 share in metered-market household averages, highest for an "SNL" season finale since May 15, 2004, when a telecast hosted by the Olsen Twins and featuring musical guest J-Kwon also averaged a 7.0. The last time an "SNL" season-ender scored higher than a 7.0 was on May 20, 2000, when an edition hosted by Jackie Chan and featuring musical guest Kid Rock earned a 7.3 rating in metered-market households. The year-ago finale scored a 5.8/14 in the local markets and for both the two years before that, the season-closer earned a 5.4. The 2007 finale averaged a 4.9.

Last night's "Saturday Night Live" was the #1 telecast of the night in metered-market households ahead of all primetime programming on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox.

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 4.5 rating, 18 share, making it the #1 telecast of the night on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox. Versus the year-ago season finale, "SNL" was up 32 percent in the Local People Meters (4.5 vs. 3.4).

Here are the highlights of the nine ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (5/22/10):

Primetime coverage of "Major League Baseball's" (4.54 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.2, #2) game of the week put FOX (4.54 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.2, #1) in front on Saturday.

Second place then went to CBS (5.08 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.0, #2) with repeats of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (3.80 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.6, #8) and "48 Hours Mystery" (5.04 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.0, #4) followed by a new "48 Hours Mystery" (6.38 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.5, #1).

Next up was NBC (3.55 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T3) with its all-repeat lineup of "Parenthood" (2.06 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.5, #9), "Law & Order" (4.03 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T5) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (4.56 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.1, #3).

And finally, repeats of the "Lost" (2.55 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T5) two-hour pilot and "Castle" (3.16 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T5) on ABC (2.75 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T3) rounded out the evening.

Source: Nielsen Media Research