nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, august 25, 2012)

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

CBS (5.84 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.8, #1) took home top demo honors with its coverage of "NFL Preseason: Texans/Saints" (5.84 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.8, #1).

ABC (6.10 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.6, #2) then was the most-watched network with its broadcast of the "NASCAR Sprint Cup Series from Bristol" (6.10 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.6, #2).

Next up was NBC (2.67 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T3) and its mix of "America's Got Talent" (2.23 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.5, #8), "Wrestlemania 28 - Rock vs. Cena" (2.73 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T3) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (3.08 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T5).

And finally, FOX (2.53 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T3) offered up its departing lineup of "Cops" (2.75 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T5), another "Cops" (3.12 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T3) and "Mobbed" (2.13 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.7, #7).

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

· An encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live," with host Alec Baldwin and musical guest Radiohead (3.0/8 in metered-market households), dominated its time period. In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 1.4 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49..

[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 (8/27/11):

CBS (8.22 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.4, #1) rode its coverage of the "NFL Preseason: Patriots/Lions" (8.22 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.4, #1) to victory on Saturday.

The silver then went to ABC (6.78 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.9, #2) and its full night of "NASCAR Overrun" (6.78 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.9, #2).

Next up was NBC (5.23 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.4, #3) with rebroadcats of "A Walk In My Shoes" (4.91 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.3, #5) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (5.86 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.6, #3).

And finally, repeats of "Cops" (3.92 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 1.4, #4), "American Dad" (3.17 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 1.2, #6) and "The Cleveland Show" (2.94 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 1.0, #7) on FOX (3.49 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.2, #4) rounded out the night.

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

Not available at press time.

Source: Nielsen Media Research