nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, may 11, 2013)

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

ABC (4.899 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.9, #1) was the top demo draw on Saturday with its coverage of the "NBA Conference Semifinals: New York at Indiana (Game 3)" (4.899 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.9, #1).

The silver then went to FOX (5.746 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.5, #2) with its primetime telecast of "NASCAR: Sprint Cup Racing from Darlington Raceway " (5.746 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.5, #2).

Next up was CBS (4.929 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.8, #3) with repeats of "NCIS" (4.284 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.6, #6) and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (4.727 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.7, #5) followed by a new "48 Hours" (5.778 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.0, #3).

And finally, NBC (2.085 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.6, #4) offered up a new "Smash" (2.007 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T7) alongside rebroadcasts of "The Voice" (1.816 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T7) and "Saturday Night Live" (2.431 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.8, #4).

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

* "Saturday Night Live," with host Kristen Wiig and musical guest Vampire Weekend, averaged a 4.6/12 in metered-market households, to deliver the top rating of the night among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in the Local People Meters, out-rating all primetime programming on those networks, including Knicks-Pacers NBA Playoffs coverage on ABC (4.3/8) and NASCAR Racing on Fox (3.4/7).

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

Here are the highlights of the eight ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (5/12/12):

FOX (5.72 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.5, #1) was the network to beat on Saturday with its primetime coverage of "NASCAR: Spring Cup Racing from Darlington, SC" (5.72 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.5, #1).

The silver then went to CBS (4.94 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.8, #2) with repeats of "CSI Miami" (3.06 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.5, #6) and "NCIS" (5.56 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T3) plus a new "48 Hours Mystery" (6.21 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.2, #2).

Next up was ABC (2.12 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.6, #3) with rebroadcast of "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" (2.12 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.6, #5).

And finally, repeats of "Harry's Law" (2.72 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.3, #8) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (3.55 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T3) bookended a new "The Firm" (2.19 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.4, #7) on NBC (2.82 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.5, #4) to closed out the night.

Source: Nielsen Media Research