nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, february 9, 2013)

Here are the highlights of the 11 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night:

ABC (3.673 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.1, #1) pulled in front on Saturday with a rebroadcast of "Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown/A Charlie Brown Valentine" (2.999 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T6) followed by the feature "Despicable Me" (4.011 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.3, #1).

CBS (4.719 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T2) then was the most-watched network with a repeat of "NCIS: Los Angeles" (4.412 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.6, #9) followed by the special "The Grammys Will Go On: A Death in the Family" (3.502 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T6) and a new "48 Hours" (6.244 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.2, #2).

Next up was FOX (2.775 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T2) with originals from "Cops" (3.362 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 1.0, #4) and a second "Cops" (3.764 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.1, #3) plus an encore of "The Following" (1.987 million viewers, #11; adults 18-49: 0.5, #10).

And finally, NBC (2.270 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.6, #4) rounded out the night with its mix of "American Ninja Warrior" (2.177 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T6), "Chicago Fire" (2.223 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.4, #11) and "Saturday Night Live" (2.411 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.8, #5).

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

* "Saturday Night Live," with host and musical guest Justin Bieber (4.9/12 in metered-market households), dominated its time period. "SNL" scored the #1 rating of the night among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in metered-market households, topping all primetime telecasts on those networks.

* In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, last night's "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 2.7 rating, 12 share in adults 18-49. "SNL" delivered the top rating of the night among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in the Local People Meters, more than doubling all primetime programming on those networks in 18-49.

Here are the highlights of the nine ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (2/11/12):

NBC (3.96 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.1, #1) snagged the demo crown on Saturday with encores of Monday's "The Voice" (4.45 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.2, #T1) adn "Smash" (2.97 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T6).

FOX (3.61 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.0, #2) then took home the silver with its penultimate "America's Most Wanted" (3.61 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T3) special.

Next up was CBS (4.48 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.9, #3) with repeats of "Rules of Engagement" (3.08 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T6), "Mike & Molly" (3.46 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T6), "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (4.43 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #9) and a new "48 Hours Mystery" (5.74 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.2, #T1).

And finally, repeats of "Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown" (3.32 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T3) and "A Charlie Brown Valentine" (3.02 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T3) led into a two-hour "Cougar Town" (1.46 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 0.5, #10) marathon on ABC (2.03 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.7, #4).

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

"Saturday Night Live" (5.0/12 in metered-market households) with host Zooey Deschanel and musical guest Karmin, dominated its time period with the highest rating of the night in metered-market households, ahead of all Saturday primetime telecasts on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. "Saturday Night Live" is up week to week by 6 percent in metered-market households (to a 5.0 rating from a 4.7).

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 3.0 rating, 13 share in adults 18-49 to rank #1 among the night's telecasts ahead of all Saturday primetime programs on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. "SNL" equaled its second highest rating in the Local People Meters this season, behind only the 4.3/18 earned the night of NBC Sports' primetime coverage of the NFL Wild Card playoff game. "Saturday Night Live" is up week to week by 7 percent in the Local People Meters (to a 3.0 rating from a 2.8).

"SNL" matched its results of the same night last year (February 12, 2011 with host Russell Brand and musical guest Chris Brown) in both metered-market households and 18-49 rating in the markets with Local People Meters.

Source: Nielsen Media Research