nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, march 17, 2012)

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

CBS (6.16 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.1, #1) was of course the network to beat on Saturday with its coverage of the "NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: Kentucky vs. Iowa St." (6.70 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.3, #1) followed by the "NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Update" (5.93 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 2.0, #2) and a new "48 Hours Mystery" (4.25 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.2, #3).

ABC (4.11 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.0, #2) then had to settle for second place with a repeat of "Shark Tank" (3.13 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.9, #5) alongsie a two-hour "20/20: My Extreme Affliction" (4.61 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.1, #4).

Next up was NBC (2.58 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.5, #3) with encores of "Harry's Law" (3.77 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T7), "Fashion Star" (1.87 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T7) and "Betty White's Off Their Rockers" (2.23 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.6, #6).

And finally, FOX (1.36 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.4, #4) with out of the hunt with another two-hour "Q'Viva! The Chosen" (1.36 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T7).

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) with host Charles Barkley and musical guest Kelly Clarkson, dominated its time period.

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 1.7 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49, to rank as the night's #1 non-sports telecast ahead of all primetime entertainment programs on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox (and tied for #1 overall for the night with CBS's 8-10 p.m. overrun NCAA basketball coverage).

[NOTE: Today's numbers are courtesy of TVMediaInsights.com due to delays from our usual sources.]

Here are the highlights of the nine ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (3/19/11):

FOX (4.69 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.5, #1) held onto the top spot on Saturday with its usual mix of "Cops" (4.53 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.4, #T2) and "America's Most Wanted" (4.84 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.5, #1).

CBS (4.27 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.3, #2) then took home the silver with its primetime coverage of the "NCAA Men's Basketball Championship" (4.32 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.4, #T2) followed by "48 Hours Mystery" (4.17 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 1.1, #T4).

Next up was ABC (3.19 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.0, #3) with encores of "Wipeout" (3.28 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.8, #7) and the feature "Norbit" (3.15 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 1.1, #T4).

And finally, repeats of "Harry's Law" (3.96 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.5, #9), "Law & Order: Los Angeles" (4.25 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.6, #8) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (5.42 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.0, #6) on NBC (4.54 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.7, #4) rounded out the evening.

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

An encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live" (3.5/8 in metered-market households), hosted by Jeff Bridges with musical guests Eminem and Lil Wayne, dominated its time period.

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 1.8 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49, making it the #1 telecast of the night, outscoring all primetime programs on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox.

Source: Nielsen Media Research