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 (10/3/15):

ABC (7.180 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.4, #1) was the top draw on Saturday with its weekly "Saturday Night College Football" (7.180 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.4, #1) coverage.

NBC (2.965 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #2) then was a distant second with its presentation of "Live from New York!" (2.734 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T4) and the return of "SNL Vintage" (3.428 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.8, #2).

Next up was CBS (3.983 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.6, #3) with repeats of "NCIS: New Orleans" (4.021 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.5, #6) and "Code Black" (3.447 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T4) plus a new "48 Hours" (4.481 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.7, #3).

And finally, FOX (1.435 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.4, #4) closed out the evening with its "CFB on FOX" (1.435 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.4, #7) coverage.

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

· The 41st season premiere of "Saturday Night Live," with host and musical guest Miley Cyrus (4.5/11 in metered-market households, 2.0/10 in adults 18-49 in the local people meters) is up +13% versus the year-ago premiere in metered-market households (4.5 vs. 4.0 on Sept. 27, 2014).

· The "Saturday Night Live" season debut scored the show's highest household rating since Jan. 24 (4.7/12 with host and musical guest Blake Shelton). The 2.0 rating in 18-49 in the local people meters matches the "SNL" high since Jan. 31 (2.1 with host J.K. Simmons and musical guest D'Angelo and The Vanguard).

· Versus the "SNL" season finale on May 16, last night's 4.5 is up +18% in metered-market households (4.5 vs. 3.8) and up +11% in 18-49 in the local people meters (2.0 vs. 1.8).

· Note that "SNL" adds significant viewership via time-shifting, with originals last 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).

· National ratings, including viewer totals, for last night's "Saturday Night Live" are due from Nielsen on Thursday, October 8.

Here are the highlights of the seven ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (10/4/14):

ABC (4.469 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.3, #1) was the network to beat on Saturday with its presentation of "Saturday Night Football" (4.469 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.3, #1).

NBC (2.907 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #2) then claimed the silver with encores of "The Voice" (2.837 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.7, #4) and "Saturday Night Live" (3.048 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T2).

Next up was CBS (4.114 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T3) with rebroadcasts of "Scorpion" (3.580 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T5) and "Stalker" (3.547 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.5, #7) plus a new "48 Hours" (5.217 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T2).

And finally, FOX (1.806 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T3) closed out the evening with "College Football on FOX" (1.806 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T5).

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

·"Saturday Night Live," with host Sarah Silverman and musical guest Maroon 5, averaged a 3.9/10 in metered-market households and a 1.9/9 in adults 18-49 in the Local People Meters.

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

Source: Nielsen Media Research