nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, september 21, 2013)

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

ABC (5.216 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.5, #1) was the top draw on Saturday with its coverage of "College Football: Michigan at Connecticut" (5.216 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.5, #1).

NBC (3.121 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #2) then was a distant second place with its repeat lineup of "American Ninja Warrior" (2.535 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T4), "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (3.172 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T2) and another "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (3.657 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T2).

Next up was CBS (3.436 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T3) and its second run mix of "Mike & Molly" (2.581 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.4, #9), another "Mike & Molly" (2.932 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T6), "NCIS: Los Angeles" (3.576 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T6) and "48 Hours" (3.975 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T4).

And finally, FOX (1.577 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T3) rounded out the night with its telecast of "College Football: Arizona State at Stanford" (1.577 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T6).

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

· An encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live," with host Ben Affleck and musical guest Kanye West averaged a 2.7/7 in metered-market households and a 1.1/5 in 18-49 in the 25 markets with Local People Meters

Here are the highlights of the six ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (9/22/12):

NBC (6.02 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.9, #1) took home top honors with its coverage of "College Football: Michigan at Notre Dame" (6.02 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.9, #1).

ABC (4.36 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.7, #2) then had to settle for second place with its broadcast of "College Football: Clemson at Florida State" (4.36 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 1.7, #2).

Next up was CBS (4.93 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T3) with encores of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (4.40 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.6, #6), "Criminal Minds" (5.18 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T4) and "48 Hours Mystery" (5.24 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.9, #3).

And finally, "College Football: K-State at Oklahoma" (2.83 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T4) on FOX (2.83 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T3) closed out the evening.

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

·"Saturday Night Live," with host Joseph Gordon-Levitt and musical guest Mumford & Sons (5.0/12 in metered-market households), dominated its time period. In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 3.0 rating, 13 share in adults 18-49. Versus the same night last year, the September 22 "SNL" is up 11 percent in the Local People Meters (3.0 vs. 2.7) and versus the prior week, "SNL" is up 7 percent (3.0 vs. 2.8).

·"Saturday Night Live" was the #1 telecast of the night on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox both in 18-49 rating in the Local People Meters and in metered-market household rating, outscoring all primetime programs on those networks.

Source: Nielsen Media Research