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

Here are the highlights of the nine ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night (3/19/16):

CBS (5.599 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.6, #1) was the top draw on Saturday with its primetime coverage of the "NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament" (5.952 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.8, #1) and "48 Hours" (4.893 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.1, #3).

ABC (4.003 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.4, #2) then was a competitive second with its own coverage of "NBA Countdown" (2.673 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.7, #6) and "NBA on ABC" (4.269 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.6, #2).

Next up was NBC (4.430 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.8, #3) and its duo of "Dateline NBC" (5.006 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T4) and a vintage "Saturday Night Live" (3.277 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T4).

And finally, repeats of "Rosewood" (1.390 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.3, #8) and "Lucifer" (1.411 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.4, #7) on FOX (1.400 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.4, #4) closed out the night.

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

· The March 19 encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live," with host Chris Hemsworth and musical guest Chance the Rapper, averaged a 2.9 rating, 7 share in household results from the 56 markets metered-by Nielsen Media Research and a 1.1/5 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.

· "Saturday Night Live" equaled its metered-market rating for the same night last (2.9/7 vs 2.9/7 on March 21, 2015 with host Kevin Hart and musical guest Sia). "SNL" was the #1 non-sports telecast of the night in 18-49 in the local people meters.

· Note that "SNL" adds significant viewership via time-shifting, with originals growing by +48% going from L+SD to L+7 in adults 18-49 (1.98 to 2.94) and +2.260 million persons in total viewers (6.509 million to 8.769 million).

Here are the highlights of the seven ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (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.

Source: Nielsen Media Research