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[01/15/17 - 09:38 AM]
Saturday's Broadcast Ratings: NFL Playoff Coverage Tops Charts for CBS
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

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 (1/14/17):

CBS (26.326 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 8.1, #1) was of course the top draw on Saturday with its coverage of the "AFC Divisional Game: Houston at New England" (26.326 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 8.1, #1).

A distant silver then went to FOX (3.278 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.1, #2) with repeats of "Lethal Weapon" (4.727 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.6, #2), "The Mick" (1.927 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T3) and another "The Mick" (1.730 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.6, #6).

Next up was NBC (3.736 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.7, #3) and its duo of "Dateline Saturday Night Mystery" (4.064 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T3) and "SNL Vintage" (3.082 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T3).

And finally, repeats of "To Tell the Truth" (2.448 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.4, #9), "Match Game" (2.368 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T7) and another "Match Game" (2.427 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T7) rounded out the night for ABC (2.414 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.5, #4).

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

· The Jan. 14 telecast of "Saturday Night Live," with host Felicity Jones and musical guest Sturgill Simpson, scored a 4.3 rating, 11 share in "live plus same day" household results from the 56 local markets metered by Nielsen Media Research and a 2.0/9 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.

· Both the 4.3 rating in households and the 2.0 in 18-49 in the metered markets top the last eight "Saturday Night Live" originals from last season, excluding the April 23 Prince tribute.

· "Saturday Night Live" is the #1 non-sports telecast of the night on the Big 4 networks in both metered-market households and in adults 18-49 in the local people meters, outrating all primetime entertainment programs on those nets.

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

· Note that "SNL" adds significant viewership via time-shifting, with originals so far this season growing by +58% in 18-49 and +3.280 million persons or +44% in total viewers nationally going from "live plus same day" Nielsens to "live plus seven day" figures. In L+SD, "SNL" this season has averaged a 2.25 rating in 18-49 nationally and 7.525 million viewers overall, and in L+7, "SNL" grew to a 3.55 in 18-49 and 10.805 million viewers.

· Versus the same point last season, "SNL" originals are up +27% in 18-49 nationally (3.55 vs. 2.79) and +2.317 million persons or +27% in total viewers (10.805 million vs. 8.488 million).

· The average 10.805 million viewers in L+7 makes this the show's most-watched season at this point in 24 years (versus prior seasons' original telecasts through comparable dates), best since 1992 (12.308 million for that season's first eleven originals).

· The 3.55 average in L+7 adults 18-49 rating nationally average is the show's best performances in the demo at this point since 2008 (4.34 for that season's first eleven originals).


Here are the highlights of the eight ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (1/16/16):

NBC (29.237 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 9.2, #1) rocketed to the top spot on Saturday with its coverage of the "NFC Divisional Game: Green Bay at Arizona" (29.237 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 9.2, #1).

CBS (5.233 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.2, #2) then was a distant silver with its mix of "NFL Overrun/NCIS: New Orleans" (7.209 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.8, #2), "Limitless" (4.466 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.9, #3) and "48 Hours" (4.025 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.8, #4).

Next up was ABC (1.321 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T3) and the feature "The Social Network" (1.382 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T5) plus a repeat "Fresh Off the Boat" (1.020 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.2, #8).

And finally, encores of "Hell's Kitchen" (1.204 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T5) and "Second Chance" (1.110 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T5) on FOX (1.157 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T3) closed out the night.

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

· "Saturday Night Live" has delivered its highest adult 18-49 rating in the local people meters in two years.

· The Jan. 16 telecast of "Saturday Night Live," with host Adam Driver and musical guest Chris Stapleton, averaged a 3.0 rating, 15 share in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with Local People Meters from 12:15-1:45 a.m. ET, according to Nielsen Media Research (an adjusted average in household rating in the 56 markets metered by Nielsen is currently unavailable due to technical issues). Note that last night's "SNL" was delayed about 45 minutes by the overrun of NBC's primetime NFL Playoff telecast.

· "Saturday Night Live" delivered the show's highest results in the Local People Meters since Jan. 4, 2014 (3.0/12 for "SNL Best of This Season," also following an NFL overrun) and equals the show's high since the Dec. 21, 2013 edition (3.9/18 with host Jimmy Fallon and musical guest Justin Timberlake).

· In household rating, "Saturday Night Live" is estimated to be generating about a mid-5 rating, though the exact figure is currently unavailable due to technical issues. A mid-5 would be the #2 household rating of the season, behind only the Nov. 7 telecast with host Donald Trump and musical guest Sia (6.6/16). Prior to last night, "SNL's" #2 household result this season has been the 5.1/13 for the Dec. 19 edition hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler with musical guest Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

· Last night's "Saturday Night Live" was the #1 non-sports telecast of the night on the Big 4 in the metered markets, far ahead of all primetime entertainment programming on those networks.

· Note that "SNL" adds significant viewership via time-shifting, with originals growing by +52% going from L+SD to L+7 in adults 18-49 (1.84 to 2.79) and +2.252 million persons in total viewers (6.236 million to 8.488 million).

Source: Nielsen Media Research





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