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 (3/25/17):

NBC (2.117 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.6, #1) was the demo champ on a low key Saturday with its duo of "Despicable Me 2" (2.000 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T3) and "SNL Vintage" (2.352 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.7, #1).

CBS (3.472 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.5, #2) then was the number two draw with a new "Ransom" (3.010 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T5), a repeat "48 Hours" (3.467 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T5) and a new "48 Hours" (3.941 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.6, #2).

Next up was ABC (1.974 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.4, #3) with the feature "Over the Hedge" (1.697 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T5) and a special "20/20 Saturday" (2.531 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T3).

And finally, encores of "Shots Fired" (1.198 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T8) and "Empire" (1.133 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T8) on FOX (1.165 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.3, #4) rounded out the night.

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

· A March 25 encore of "Saturday Night Live," with host Kristen Stewart and musical guest Alessia Cara, has averaged a 3.3 rating, 9 share in households in Nielsen's 56 metered markets and a 1.2/7 in 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.

· Last night's "Saturday Night Live" encore was the #1 show of the night on the broadcast networks in metered-market households and 18-49 in the local people meters, outrating every Saturday primetime telecast on those nets in both measures.

· Versus what the show averaged last year with March rebroadcasts, last night's "Saturday Night Live" is up +18% in metered-market households (3.3 vs. 2.8). In fact, the 3.3 rating beats every encore "SNL" of last season.

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

Source: Nielsen Media Research