nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, may 19, 2012)

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

CBS (4.16 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.7, #4) was the most-watched network on a lackluster Saturday thanks to its mix of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (3.44 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.4, #7), "Criminal Minds" (4.22 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.6, #6) and "48 Hours Mystery" (4.83 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T1).

The silver then went to NBC (4.01 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T1) with encores of "America's Got Talent" (3.83 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T3) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (4.38 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T1).

And finally, the feature "Spider-Man 3" (2.95 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T3) on ABC (2.95 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T1) and primetime coverage of the "Saturday Baseball Game of the Week" (2.99 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.8, #5) on FOX (2.99 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #3) rounded out the night.

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

"Saturday Night Live," with host and musical guest Mick Jagger (5.2/13 in metered-market households), dominated its time period with the #1 rating of the night, ahead of all primetime telecasts on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. "SNL" equaled its highest rating in metered-market households since March 3 (with host Lindsay Lohan and musical guest Jack White)

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 2.7 rating, 12 share in adults 18-49, making it 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 nine ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (5/21/11):

FOX (4.48 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.2, #1) took home demo honors on Saturday with its coverage of "MLB Primetime" (4.48 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.2, #1).

CBS (5.35 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T2) however was the most-watched network with repeats of "Hawaii Five-0" (4.39 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.6, #9) and "NCIS" (5.85 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T6) followed by a new "48 Hours Mystery" (5.82 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.1, #2).

Next up was NBC (4.04 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T2) with the series finale of "Chase" (3.67 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T6) alongside repeats of "Law & Order: Los Angeles" (3.72 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T6) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (4.72 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.0, #3).

And finally, the feature "Spider-Man 3" (2.80 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.8, #5) on ABC (2.80 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T2) closed out the evening.

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

The 36th season finale of "Saturday Night Live" has scored the highest metered-market household average for an "SNL" season-closer in seven years and equaled the highest in 11 years. Last night's telecast, hosted by Justin Timberlake and featuring musical guest Lady Gaga, generated a 21 percent increase over last year's season finale, marking the fourth year in a row "SNL" has matched or topped the season finale of the prior year.

The May 21 edition of "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 7.0 rating, 17 share in metered-market household averages, highest for an "SNL" season finale since May 15, 2004, when a telecast hosted by the Olsen Twins and featuring musical guest J-Kwon also averaged a 7.0. The last time an "SNL" season-ender scored higher than a 7.0 was on May 20, 2000, when an edition hosted by Jackie Chan and featuring musical guest Kid Rock earned a 7.3 rating in metered-market households. The year-ago finale scored a 5.8/14 in the local markets and for both the two years before that, the season-closer earned a 5.4. The 2007 finale averaged a 4.9.

Last night's "Saturday Night Live" was the #1 telecast of the night in metered-market households ahead of all primetime programming on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox.

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 4.5 rating, 18 share, making it the #1 telecast of the night on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox. Versus the year-ago season finale, "SNL" was up 32 percent in the Local People Meters (4.5 vs. 3.4).

Source: Nielsen Media Research