nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, june 25, 2011)

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

A full night of "Cops" (3.56 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.1, #1) repeats put FOX (3.56 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.1, #1) in front on Saturday.

NBC (3.28 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #2) then claimed the silver with its all-repeat mix of "Minute to Win It" (2.90 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.6, #5), "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (3.25 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.7, #4) and "Law & Order: Los Angeles" (3.70 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.8, #3).

Next up was CBS (3.67 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.6, #3) with back-to-back episodes of "Chaos" (3.24 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T6) and a repeat of "48 Hours Mystery" (4.54 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.9, #2).

And finally, encores of "101 Ways to Leave a Game Show" (1.82 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.4, #9), "Expedition Impossible" (1.95 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T6) and "Rookie Blue" (2.36 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T6) on ABC (2.04 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.5, #4) rounded out the evening.

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

An encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live" (3.4/9 in metered-market households), hosted by Elton John with musical guests Elton John and Leon Russell, dominated its time period and delivered the #1 rating of the night ahead of all primetime programs on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox. In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 1.6 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49, making it the #1 telecast of the night ahead of all primetime programs on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox.

Here are the highlights of the nine ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (6/26/10):

CBS (4.76 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T1) was Saturday's top draw thanks to a new "Three Rivers" (3.38 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.6, #9) and repeats of "48 Hours Mystery" (4.74 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T4) and a second "48 Hours Mystery" (6.15 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.4, #1).

Sharing the adults 18-49 crown was NBC (4.11 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T1) with repeats of "America's Got Talent" (4.13 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T2) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (4.07 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T2).

Next up was FOX (3.29 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.9, #3) with its full night of "MLB Primetime" (3.29 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T4) coverage.

And finally, repeats of "America's Funniest Home Videos" (3.71 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T6), "Castle" (3.80 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T6) and "Rookie Blue" (3.45 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T6) on ABC (3.65 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #4) rounded out the evening.

Source: Nielsen Media Research