nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, april 14, 2012)

Here are the highlights of the 10 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night:

FOX (6.39 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.9, #1) was the network to beat on Saturday with its primetime coverage of "NASCAR: Sprint Cup Racing from Texas" (6.39 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.9, #1).

Second place then went to CBS (4.43 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T2) with repeats of "CSI: NY" (3.64 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.6, #8), "CSI: Miami" (4.13 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.7, #7) and a new "48 Hours Mystery" (5.51 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.2, #2).

Next up was ABC (4.11 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T2) and its three-hour presentation of "Titanic, Part 1" (4.29 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T3), "Titanic, Part 2" (4.32 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T3) and "Titanic, Part 3" (3.72 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T3).

And finally, new episodes of "Escape Routes" (1.20 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 0.3, #10) and "The Firm" (1.99 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.4, #9) plus a repeat of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (3.59 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T3) on NBC (2.26 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.5, #4) closed out the evening.

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

"Saturday Night Live" with host Josh Brolin and musical guest Gotye, averaged a 4.6/11 in metered-market households. "SNL" was the night's #1 telecast in metered-market households, ahead of all primetime programs on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox.

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 2.7 rating, 12 share in adults 18-49. "SNL" was the night's #1 program in the Local People Meters, ahead of all primetime telecasts on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox.

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

Here are the highlights of the seven ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (4/16/11):

ABC (3.10 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.0, #1) was the modest winner on Saturday with a rebroadcast of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" (3.10 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T2).

NBC (4.46 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T2) then took home the silver with rebroadcasts of "Law & Order: Los Angeles" (4.31 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.8, #5) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (4.75 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T2).

CBS (4.84 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T2) offered up encores of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (4.02 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T6), "Hawaii Five-0" (4.85 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.9, #4) and a new "48 Hours Mystery" (5.65 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.2, #1).

And finally, the original movie "Truth Be Told" (2.30 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T6) on FOX (2.30 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.6, #4) rounded out the night.

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

An encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live" (3.9/10 in metered-market households), hosted by Gwyneth Paltrow and featuring musical guest Cee Lo Green, dominated its time period. "SNL" was the #1 telecast of the night in metered-market households ahead of all primetime programs on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox.

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 2.0 rating, 9 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