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 (8/29/15):

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to significant local NFL pre-season preemptions, all Fast Nationals are inflated.]

CBS (4.721 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.2, #1) claimed the top spot with its coverage of "NFL Preseason: Seattle at San Diego" (4.721 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.2, #T1).

NBC (4.151 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.1, #2) then was a close second with a repeat "American Ninja Warrior" (4.800 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.2, #T1) and the finale of "Hannibal" (2.854 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T5).

Next up was ABC (3.280 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T3) and repeats of "Cars" (3.386 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T3) and "Last Man Standing" (2.750 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.7, #7).

And finally, encores of "Bullseye" (2.975 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T5) and "Home Free" (3.144 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T3) on FOX (3.059 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T3) closed out the evening.

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

· An encore "Saturday Night Live," with host Taraji P. Henson and musical guest Mumford and Sons, averaged a 2.5 rating, 7 share in household results in Nielsen's 56 metered markets and a 0.9/5 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with Local People Meters, matching the show's highest metered-market household rating in 10 weeks (since June 20, with host and musical guest Blake Shelton, 2.7/7). Over that span, "SNL" also earned a 2.5 on July 18 (with host Kevin Hart and musical guest Sia).

· It's the third straight week "SNL" has grown in metered-market households (from a 2.2 on Aug. 8 to a 2.3 on Aug. 15 to a 2.4 on Aug. 22 to a 2.5 on Aug. 29).

· Last night's "SNL" was the #1 non-sports program of the night on the Big 4 networks in metered-market households and adults 18-49 in the Local People Meters, beating all the night's primetime entertainment programming on those networks in both measures.

· Versus the same night last year, "SNL" was up +9% in 18-49 (2.5 vs. 2.3) and up +13% in 18-49 in the Local People Meters (0.9 vs. 0.8).

· Note that "SNL" adds significant viewership via time-shifting, with originals this season growing by an average of +44% going from "live plus same day ratings" to "live plus seven day" in adults 18-49 (from a 1.84 rating to a 2.65).

Here are the highlights of the seven ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (8/30/14):

The return of "Saturday Night Football" (5.438 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.7, #1) put ABC (5.438 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.7, #1) on top on Saturday.

NBC (3.782 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.7, #2) then was a distant second place with a two-hour "Dateline Saturday Night Mystery" (4.164 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #2) and a repeat of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (3.020 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T4).

Next up was CBS (3.509 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.5, #3) with special Saturday editons of "Unforgettable" (4.349 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.6, #3) and "Reckless" (2.895 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T4) plus a repeat "48 Hours" (3.284 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T4).

And finally, "College Football on FOX" (0.920 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.2, #7) closed out the evening on FOX (0.920 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.2, #4).

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

·An encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live," with host and musical guest Lady Gaga, averaged a 2.3/6 in household results in Nielsen's 56 metered markets and a 0.8/3 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with Local People Meters, to rank as the #1 non-sports telecast of the night on the Big 4 networks in 18-49 in the Local People Meters. "SNL" matched the metered-market household rating of the previous week and the same night last year.

Source: Nielsen Media Research