nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for sunday, december 18, 2011)

Here are the highlights of the 18 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night:

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to NFL Overrun in 14% of the country, Fast Nationals for FOX are approximate from 7-730p. Due to the nature of live sports, Fast Nationals for NBC are approximate. Due to NFL Overrun in most of the country, Fast Nationals for CBS are approximate on the night. 60 Minutes began at 7:33p with prime sliding.]

CBS (15.87 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 4.5, #1) claimed top honors on Sunday with its mix of a powerful "NFL Overrun" (26.86 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 8.0, #1) followed by "60 Minutes" (18.79 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 4.4, #3), the two-hour "Survivor: South Pacific" (13.06 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 4.0, #4) finale and the "Survivor: South Pacific Reunion" (10.25 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 3.2, #6) special.

NBC (11.77 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 4.3, #2) then had to settle for second place with its usual lineup of "Football Night in America #1" (6.00 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 1.8, #11), "Football Night in America #2" (8.84 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 3.1, #7), "Football Night in America #3" (10.36 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 3.7, #5) and of course "Sunday Night Football" (13.80 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 5.2, #2).

Next up was ABC (4.78 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.3, #3) with its all-repeat lineup of "America's Funniest Home Videos" (6.52 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 1.5, #T12), "Once Upon a Time" (4.42 million viewers, #12; adults 18-49: 1.2, #17) and the feature "The Santa Clause 3" (4.09 million viewers, #15; adults 18-49: 1.3, #16).

And finally, repeats of "American Dad" (4.25 million viewers, #14; adults 18-49: 1.5, #T12), "The Cleveland Show" (3.66 million viewers, #16; adults 18-49: 1.5, #T12) and "The Simpsons" (5.01 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 2.2, #8) lead into the season finale of "Allen Gregory" (3.32 million viewers, #17; adults 18-49: 1.5, #T12) followed by repeats of "Family Guy" (4.35 million viewers, #13; adults 18-49: 2.0, #10) and another "Family Guy" (4.64 million viewers, #11; adults 18-49: 2.1, #9) on FOX (4.21 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.8, #4).

Week-to-week changes (adults 18-49):
+18.92% - 60 Minutes
-37.50% - Allen Gregory (vs. 12/4/11)
-38.82% - Sunday Night Football

Year-to-year changes (adults 18-49):
+7.32% - 60 Minutes
-2.44% - Survivor: South Pacific
-8.57% - Survivor: South Pacific Reunion
-21.05% - Allen Gregory (vs. The Cleveland Show (Repeat))
-38.82% - Sunday Night Football

Here are the highlights of the 18 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (12/19/10):

NBC (17.51 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 6.1, #1) was once again the ratings king on Sunday with its "Sunday Night Football" (20.84 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 8.5, #1) coverage. Leading off the night were its usual mix of "Football Night in America #1" (8.29 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 2.7, #8), "Football Night in America #2" (11.44 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 4.1, #T4) and "Football Night in America #3" (16.12 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 5.6, #3).CBS (15.67 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 4.4, #2) then had to settle for second place with its mix of "NFL Overrun" (24.70 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 7.1, #2), "60 Minutes" (17.93 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 4.1, #T4), the two-hour "Survivor: Nicaragua" (13.39 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 4.1, #T4) finale and the "Survivor: Nicaragua Reunion" (11.21 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 3.5, #7).

Compared with a year ago (13.86 million viewers; adults 18-49: 4.4), the "Survivor" finale was off a modest 3.39% in viewers and 6.82% in adults 18-49.

Next up was FOX (4.62 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 2.0, #3) and its combination of "NFL Overrun/The Simpsons" (4.22 million viewers, #15; adults 18-49: 1.6, #15), "The Simpsons" (4.23 million viewers, #14; adults 18-49: 1.8, #13), "The Simpsons" (5.10 million viewers, #11; adults 18-49: 2.2, #10), "The Cleveland Show" (4.37 million viewers, #13; adults 18-49: 1.9, #T11) and a one-hour "Family Guy" (4.91 million viewers, #12; adults 18-49: 2.3, #9).

And finally, repeats of "The Santa Clause 2" (5.96 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 1.7, #14) and "The Santa Clause 3" (6.38 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 1.9, #T11) on ABC (6.17 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.8, #4) rounded out the evening.

Week-to-week changes (adults 18-49): 60 Minutes (2.50%), Sunday Night Football (0.00%).

Source: Nielsen Media Research