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

Here are the highlights of the six ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night (3/26/16):

CBS (10.039 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 3.1, #1) dominated the competition on Saturday with its primetime coverage of the "NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament" (10.039 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 3.1, #1).

ABC (5.420 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.8, #2) then claimed the silver with its annual presentation of "The Ten Commandments" (5.420 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.8, #2).

Next up was NBC (3.567 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #3) and its duo of "Dateline NBC" (4.095 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #3) and "Saturday Night Live" (2.510 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.6, #4).

And finally, repeats of "Rosewood" (1.137 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T5) and "Lucifer" (1.188 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T5) on FOX (1.163 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.3, #4) closed out the night.

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

· The March 26 encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live," with host Melissa McCarthy and musical guest Kanye West, averaged a 2.8 rating, 7 share in household results from the 56 markets metered by Nielsen Media Research and a 1.2/6 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.

· "Saturday Night Live" was the #1 non-sports telecast of the night on the Big 4 networks in 18-49 in the local people meters, ahead of all primetime entertainment programs on those nets.

· "Saturday Night Live" equaled its March 2015 encore average in 18-49 in the local people meters (1.2 vs. 1.2).

· Note that "SNL" adds significant viewership via time-shifting, with originals growing by +49% going from L+SD to L+7 in adults 18-49 (1.96 to 2.92) and +2.250 million persons in total viewers (6.432 million to 8.682 million).

Here are the highlights of the nine ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (3/28/15):

CBS (4.154 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T1) was the most-watched network on Saturday with its repeat lineup of "NCIS: New Orleans" (3.650 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T6), "Criminal Minds" (4.132 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T1) and "48 Hours" (4.682 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T1).

ABC (3.138 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T1) however shared in the demo honors with a repeat "Shark Tank" (2.653 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.5, #5) and a new "In an Instant" (3.380 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T1).

Next up was NBC (2.284 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.4, #3) and its coverage of "The World Figure Skating Championships" (2.309 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T8) and a repeat "Saturday Night Live" (2.234 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.6, #4).

And finally, encores of "Backstrom" (1.409 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T6) and "Hell's Kitchen" (1.038 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T8) on FOX (1.223 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.3, #4) closed out the evening.

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

· "Saturday Night Live," with host Dwayne Johnson and musical guest George Ezra, averaged a 3.7 rating, 9 share in household results in Nielsen's 56 metered markets and a 1.9/9 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with Local People Meters.

· "SNL" is the #1 telecast of the night on the Big 4 networks in metered-market households and adults 18-49 in the Local People Meters, ahead of all primetime programs on the Big 4 networks in both measures. In the Local People Meters, "SNL" more than doubled the 18-49 rating of every primetime telecast on those networks.

· Note that "SNL" adds substantial audience via time-shifting, with the show's national adult 18-49 rating growing this season by an average of +37% going from "live plus same day" results to "live plus seven day" ratings from Nielsen Media Research (1.93 to 2.64, originals only).

Source: Nielsen Media Research