Primetime Preliminary Fast National Nielsen Data
(includes all DVR playback through 3:00 am)

Here are the highlights of the seven ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night (3/21/15):

CBS (4.063 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.3, #1) was the network to beat on Saturday with its primtime coverage of the "NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament" (4.268 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.4, #1) and "48 Hours" (3.654 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.0, #2).

NBC (2.897 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #2) then claimed the silver with the feature "Fast Five" (2.897 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.7, #3).

Next up was ABC (3.585 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.5, #3) with an encore of "Secrets & Lies" (1.944 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.2, #T6) followed by a new "In an Instant" (4.406 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.6, #4).

And finally, repeats of "Backstrom" (1.539 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.4, #5) and "Sleepy Hollow" (0.970 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.2, #T6) on FOX (1.255 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.3, #4) closed out the evening.

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

·An encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live," with host Kevin Hart and musical guest Sia, averaged a 2.9 rating, 7 share in household results in Nielsen's 56 metered markets and a 1.2/6 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with Local People Meters, matching the show's results from one week earlier.

Here are the highlights of the nine ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (3/22/14):

CBS (5.987 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.9, #1) was the network to beat on Saturday with its coverage of the "NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament: Third Round - Oregon #7 vs. Wisconsin #2" (5.759 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.8, #2) followed by a repeat of "48 Hours" (6.444 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.1, #1).

NBC (4.818 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.8, #2) then claimed the silver with its two-hour "Dateline Saturday Night Mystery" (5.302 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #3) alongside a rebroadcast of "Crisis" (3.851 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T4).

Next up was ABC (2.387 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.5, #3) and its mix of "Marvel Studios: Assembling a Universe" (1.719 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.4, #6), "Nightline Prime" (1.496 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T7) and "20/20 Saturday" (3.947 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T4).

And finally, repeats of "Almost Human" (1.349 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T7) and "The Following" (1.101 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T7) on FOX (1.225 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.3, #4) closed out the night.

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

·An encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live," with host Jonah Hill and musical guest Bastille, averaged a 2.9/7 in household results in Nielsen's 56 metered markets and a 1.2/5 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with Local People Meters, making it the #1 non-sports telecast of the night on the Big 4 networks in 18-49 rating in the Local People Meters ahead of all primetime entertainment programs on the Big 4 networks.

Source: Nielsen Media Research