nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, september 10, 2011)

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

ABC (5.89 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.7, #1) rose to the top on Saturday with its coverage of the "NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: From Richmond" (5.89 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.7, #1).

FOX (2.57 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.9, #2) then claimed the silver with the return of "Cops" (3.28 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.0, #2) followed by repeats of "American Dad" (1.97 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T4) and "The Cleveland Show" (1.75 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.7, #7).

Next up was CBS (2.95 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.8, #3) with its coverage of "U.S. Open Tennis - Women's Championship" (2.76 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T4)alongside a repeat of "48 Hours Mystery" (3.33 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.9, #3).

And finally, "NFL Kickoff 2011: Back to Football" (1.66 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.4, #9) highlights led into repeats of "Who Do You Think You Are?" (2.28 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.5, #8) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (3.91 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T4) on NBC (2.62 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.6, #4).

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

An encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live" (3.2/8 in metered-market households), hosted by Tina Fey with musical guest Ellie Goulding, dominated its time period. "SNL" matched its year-ago rating in metered-market households.

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 1.7 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49, making it the #1 telecast of the night ahead of all primetime programs on CBS, NBC or Fox. "SNL" matched its 1.7 rating for the same night last year in the Local People Meters, while also equaling its highest rating of the past six weeks.

Here are the highlights of the six ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (9/11/10):

ABC (4.90 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.4, #1) was the network to beat on Saturday with its coverage of the "NASCAR Sprint Cup Series from Richmond" (4.90 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.4, #1).

FOX (4.03 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.2, #2) then had to settle for second place with the return of "Cops" (3.74 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.2, #3) and "America's Most Wanted" (4.32 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.3, #2).

Meanwhile, CBS (3.10 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T3) offered up its "U.S. Open Tennis: Women's Championship" (2.52 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.5, #6) coverage followed by a repeat of "48 Hours Mystery" (4.25 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.9, #4).

And finally, a full night of "Parenthood" (2.29 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.7, #5) repeats on NBC (2.29 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T3) rounded out the evening.

Source: Nielsen Media Research