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 (10/3/20):

[Note: Fast affiliate ratings are inaccurate for live sports.]

ABC (3.215 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.7, #1) was the network to beat with its weekly telecast of "Saturday Night Football" (3.215 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.7, #1).

NBC (2.271 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.4, #2) took home the silver with its repeat lineup of "The Wall" (2.146 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T5), "Ellen's Game of Games" (2.199 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T3) and "SNL Vintage" (2.467 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.5, #2).

Next up was CBS (2.519 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.3, #3) and its mix of "NCIS: Los Angeles" (2.289 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T5), "NCIS: New Orleans" (2.307 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T5) and a new "48 Hours" (2.961 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T3).

And finally, encores of "The Masked Singer" (0.977 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.2, #T8) and "I Can See Your Voice" (0.913 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.2, #T8) on FOX (0.945 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.2, #4) rounded out the night.

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

The 46th season premiere of "Saturday Night Live" has generated the show's #1 most-watched season debut in four years and second-most-watched in 12 years, according to "fast official" "live plus same day" results from Nielsen Media Research.

The Oct. 3 edition, with host Chris Rock and musical guest Megan Thee Stallion, has averaged a 1.68 rating in adults 18-49 and 7.765 million viewers overall. That makes it the #1 most-watched entertainment telecast of the week to date on the Big 4 networks and #2 in adults 18-49 behind only "The Masked Singer" (1.87).

It's "SNL's" #1 most-watched season premiere since 2016 (8.297 million with host Margot Robbie and musical guest The Weeknd on Oct. 1, 2016), and excluding that telecast, the most-watched season debut since 2008 (10.151 million with host Michael Phelps and musical guest Lil Wayne on Sept. 13, 2008).

Excluding last season's historic Dec. 21 telecast hosted by Eddie Murphy with musical guest Lizzo, it's "SNL's" #1 most-watched edition, premiere or otherwise, in more than three years, since the 2016-17 season finale (8.275 million with host Dwayne Johnson and musical guest Katy Perry on May 20, 2017), as well as the top-rated in 18-49, excluding the Eddie Murphy episode, in two years, since the Sept. 29, 2018 season premiere (1.86 with host Adam Driver and musical guest Kanye West).

Versus the year-ago premiere, last night's telecast is up +26% in 18-49 (1.68 vs. 1.33) and up +1.7 million persons or +27% in total viewers (7.765 million vs. 6.107 million).

Here are the highlights of the eight ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (10/5/19):

ABC (6.491 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.6, #1) was the top draw on Saturday with its weekly coverage of "Saturday Night College Football" (6.491 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.6, #1).

The silver then went to NBC (2.555 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.5, #2) with its trio of "The Voice" (1.976 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T7), "Dateline Saturday Night Mystery" (3.260 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T2) and "SNL Vintage" (2.429 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T2).

Next up was CBS (3.173 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T3) with repeats of "FBI" (3.010 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T4) and "Bull" (2.834 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T7) alongside a new "48 Hours" (3.677 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T4).

And finally, FOX (1.535 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T3) rounded out the evening with its telecast of "CFB on FOX" (1.535 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T4).

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

· The Oct. 5 edition of "Saturday Night Live," hosted by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and featuring musical guest Taylor Swift, has averaged a 4.0 rating in "live plus same day" household results from 44 local markets metered by Nielsen Media Research and a 1.7 rating in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.

· Note that current metered-market results are not compatible with data issued before Oct. 5 due to changes in Nielsen methodology.

· Versus primetime programming on the Big 4 networks Saturday night, "SNL" is the #2 show of the night in metered-market households and in 18-49 in the local people meters, behind only ABC's Michigan State-Ohio State college football.

Source: Nielsen Media Research