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 (9/17/16):

FOX (5.208 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.7, #1) was the network to beat on a sports heavy Saturday with its coverage of "CFB on FOX" (5.208 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.7, #1).

The silver then went to NBC (4.796 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.4, #2) with its presentation of "College Football: Michigan State at Notre Dame" (4.796 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.4, #2).

Next up was CBS (3.670 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #3) and its repeat lineup of "NCIS: Los Angeles" (3.340 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T4), "48 Hours" (3.340 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T4) and another "48 Hours" (4.330 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #3).

And finally, "Saturday Night College Football" (2.194 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T4) on ABC (2.194 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.6, #4) closed out the night.

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

· An encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live," with host Tracy Morgan and musical guest Demi Lovato, was delayed by a primetime "Notre Dame Football" overrun.

Here are the highlights of the six ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (9/19/15):

ABC (2.655 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.8, #1) won the demo race on Saturday with its weekly edition of "Saturday Night College Football" (2.655 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.8, #1).

FOX (2.223 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #2) then claimed the silver with its own "CFB on FOX" (2.223 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T2) coverage.

Next up was CBS (3.665 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.6, #3) with repeats of "NCIS: New Orleans" (3.538 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T5), "Criminal Minds" (3.680 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.6, #4) and "48 Hours" (3.776 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T2).

And finally, NBC (2.077 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.5, #4) closed out the evening with an encore of "American Ninja Warrior" (2.077 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T5).

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

· An encore "Saturday Night Live," with host Chris Rock and musical guest Prince, averaged a 2.5 rating, 7 share in household results in Nielsen's 56 metered markets and a 1.1/5 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters, hitting a 13-week high in 18-49 in the local people meters and matching the show's 13-week high in metered-market households.

· In 18-49 in the local people meters, it was the top-rated "Saturday Night Live" since June 20 (with host and musical guest Blake Shelton, 1.1) and equaled the top "SNL" in 16 weeks (since May 30, with host Cameron Diaz and musical guests Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars). In metered-market households, it was the best "SNL" since Aug. 29 (with host Taraji P. Henson and musical guest Mumford and Sons, 2.5) and matched the "SNL" high since June 20 (2.7).

· Versus the same night last year, the "Saturday Night Live" rebroadcast was up +9% in metered-market households (2.5 vs. 2.3) and up +22% in 18-49 rating in the local people meters (1.1 vs. 0.9).

· 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).

Source: Nielsen Media Research