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

Here are the highlights of the eight ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night (4/23/16):

NBC (2.961 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.0, #1) was the network to beat among adults 18-49 with its coverage of the "NHL Playoffs: St. Louis at Chicago" (2.961 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.0, #1).

CBS (4.495 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T2) then was the most-watched broadcaster with a repeat "NCIS: Los Angeles" (3.585 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T6), a new "48 Hours" (4.598 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.7, #3) and a second "48 Hours" (5.304 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.9, #2).

Next up was ABC (2.367 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T2) with the feature "Monsters University" (2.443 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.6, #4) and a special "20/20 Saturday" (2.217 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.5, #5).

And finally, FOX (1.279 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.4, #4) closed out the night with a repeat "American Grit" (1.211 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T6) and a second encore "American Grit" (1.348 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T6).

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

· The April 23 telecast of "Saturday Night Live," a "Goodnight Sweet Prince" tribute episode, averaged a 4.5 rating, 11 share in household results from the 56 markets metered by Nielsen Media Research and a 2.1/11 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.

· "Saturday Night Live" ranked as the #1 telecast of the night on the Big 4 networks in both metered-market households and in 18-49 in the local people meters, ahead of all primetime programs on those networks in both measures.

· "Saturday Night Live" earned its highest metered-market household rating since Feb. 6 (5.1 with host Larry David and musical guest The 1975) and highest 18-49 rating in the local people meters since Feb. 13 (2.3 with host Melissa McCarthy and musical guest Kanye West).

Here are the highlights of the seven ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (4/25/15):

NBC (2.689 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #1) was the demo champ on Saturday with its primetime coverage of the "NHL Playoffs" (2.689 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T1).

ABC (2.848 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.7, #2) then was a close second with the feature "Toy Story 3" (2.760 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.7, #4) and a repeat of "Shark Tank" (3.025 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T1).

Next up was CBS (4.136 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.6, #3) with repeats of "Scorpion" (3.640 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T5) and "Criminal Minds" (3.743 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T5) plus a new "48 Hours" (5.025 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T1).

And finally, coverage of "NASCAR: Toyota Owners 400" (0.912 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.2, #7) closed out the evening on FOX (0.912 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 Chris Hemsworth and musical guest Zac Brown Band, averaged a 3.0 rating, 8 share in household results in Nielsen's 56 metered markets and a 1.4/6 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with Local People Meters.

· It's the show's top rebroadcast in both measures since Feb. 21 (with host and musical guest Blake Shelton, 3.1/8 in metered-market households, 1.4/7 in 18-49 in the Local People Meters). Versus the same night last year, "SNL" is up +11% in metered-market households (3.0/8 vs. 2.7/7) and up +17% in 18-49 in the Local People Meters (1.4/7 vs. 1.2/6).

· The "SNL" rebroadcast is the #1 telecast of the night on the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 in the Local People Meters, ahead of all primetime programs on those nets in that key measure.

· Note that "SNL" adds significant viewership via time-shifting, with originals this season growing by an average of +43% going from "live plus same day ratings" to "live plus seven day" in adults 18-49 (from a 1.91 rating to a 2.74).

Source: Nielsen Media Research