nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, october 20, 2012)

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

ABC (4.60 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.7, #1) was the top demo draw on Saturday with its weely "College Football: Florida State at Miami/Baylor at Texas" (4.60 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.7, #1) coverage.

CBS (4.82 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T2) then was the most-watched network with repeats of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (4.45 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T6), "Person of Interest" (4.52 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T4) and a new "48 Hours" (5.48 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.0, #2).

Next up was NBC (2.82 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T2) and its all-repeat lineup of "Revolution" (1.94 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.5, #8), "Chicago Fire" (2.73 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T4) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (3.79 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.9, #3).

And finally, FOX (2.25 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.6, #4) was out of the hunt with its "College Football: K-State at West Virginia" (2.25 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T6) coverage.

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

* "Saturday Night Live," with host Bruno Mars (5.4/14 in metered-market households), dominated its time period with the show's highest rating in more than seven months (since March 3 with a telecast hosted by Lindsay Lohan featuring musical guest Jack White). In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 2.9 rating, 13 share in adults 18-49, "SNL's" top rating in the Local People Meters since September 22 (with an episode hosted by Joseph Gordon-Levitt featuring musical guest Mumford & Sons). Versus "SNL's" year-ago average for October originals, last night's telecast is up 10 percent in metered-market households (5.4 vs. 4.9) and up 12 percent in the Local People Meters (2.9 vs. 2.6).

* "Saturday Night Live" was the #1 telecast of the night on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in the metered-market households and the Local People Meters, outscoring all primetime programs on those networks. In the Local People Meters, "SNL" beat the #2 program of the night on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox by an 81 percent margin (2.9 vs. a 1.6 for ABC's Florida State-Miami college football).

* In national ratings for far this season, original telecasts of "Saturday Night Live" are delivering up versus one year ago by 8 percent in 18-49 rating (with a 2.8 vs. a 2.6, "most current") and 1 percent in total viewers (7.1 million vs. 7.0 million). In 18-49, "SNL" is the #1 Saturday series this season on the major networks, ahead of every Saturday primetime show on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox.

Here are the highlights of the seven ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (10/22/11):

FOX (11.38 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 3.2, #1) wiped the floor with the competition on Saturday thanks to its coverage of the "World Series, Game 3" (11.38 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 3.2, #1).

A distant second place then went to CBS (4.62 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.9, #2) with its mix of "Two and a Half Men" (4.08 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.9, #4), "Mike & Molly" (3.91 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 1.0, #3), "Hawaii Five-0" (4.32 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T5) and "48 Hours Mystery" (5.55 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.1, #2).

Next up was NBC (2.62 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #3) with its rare primetime coverage of "College Football: USC at Notre Dame" (2.62 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T5).

And finally, ABC (2.23 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.7, #4) closed out the evening with its broadcast of "Saturday Night College Football" (2.23 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.7, #7).

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

An encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live," hosted by Alec Baldwin with musical guest Radiohead, averaged a 3.4/8 in metered-market households. In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 1.8 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49.

Source: Nielsen Media Research