nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, november 5, 2011)

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

CBS (18.03 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 6.4, #1) saw monster numbers on Saturday with its coverage of the "SEC on CBS: LSU-Alabama" (18.03 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 6.4, #1).

A very distant second place then went to NBC (4.07 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.9, #2) with its all-repeat lineup of "Harry's Law" (3.45 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.6, #6), "Prime Suspect" (4.03 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.9, #4) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (4.71 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.2, #2).

Next up was FOX (2.77 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.8, #3) with a full hour of "Cops" (3.62 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.1, #3) followed by a repeat of "Terra Nova" (1.91 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.5, #7).

And finally, ABC (2.98 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #4) didn't get much spark from its "Saturday Night College Football" (2.98 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.7, #5) franchise.

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

"Saturday Night Live," hosted by Charlie Day with musical guest Maroon 5, averaged a 4.9/11 in metered-market households. This is the top-rated "SNL" in metered-market households since October 1.

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 2.8 rating, 12 share in adults 18-49. This is the top-rated "SNL" in the local People Meters since the "SNL" season finale on May 21, 2011 (with host Justin Timberlake and musical guest Lady Gaga).

Here are the highlights of the eight ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (11/6/10):

FOX (4.61 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.4, #1) lead the 18-49 race on Saturday with the return of "Cops" (4.49 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 1.4, #T2) and "America's Most Wanted" (4.73 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 1.5, #1).

A silver medal then went to CBS (5.97 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.2, #2) with repeats of "NCIS" (6.31 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.1, #T4) and "The Defenders" (5.24 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T6) followed by a new "48 Hours Mystery" (6.36 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.4, #T2).

Meanwhile, ABC (3.63 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.0, #3) offered up its "Saturday Night College Football" (3.63 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T6) coverage.

And finally, the penultimate "Outlaw" (3.53 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.4, #9) led into repeats of "Law & Order: Los Angeles" (4.41 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.7, #8) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (5.46 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.1, #T4) on NBC (4.47 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #4).

Source: Nielsen Media Research