NBC IS #1 FOR THE WEEK OF FEB. 8-14, AS THE 2010 VANCOUVER WINTER GAMES OPEN
NBC WINS THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-49, TOTAL VIEWERS AND ALL OTHER KEY MEASURES WITH ITS TOP WEEKLONG RESULTS SINCE FEBRUARY 2009
NBC'S FRIDAY OLYMPIC TELECAST IS #1 FOR THE WEEK IN TOTAL VIEWERS AND IS THE MOST-WATCHED OPENING CEREMONY FOR A NON-U.S. WINTER OLYMPICS SINCE LILLEHAMMER IN 1994
SATURDAY'S COVERAGE OF THE FIRST NIGHT OF OLYMPICS COMPETITION AVERAGES 26.2 MILLION VIEWERS, TOPPING EVERY SINGLE NIGHT OF THE 2006 TORINO GAMES
DESPITE TOUGH COMPETITION ON SUNDAY, NBC'S OLYMPICS COVERAGE TOPS THE PRIMETIME VIEWERSHIP OF ABC, CBS AND FOX COMBINED
THROUGH THE OPENING WEEKEND, 117 MILLION VIEWERS WATCHED THE BEIJING OLYMPICS ON THE NETWORKS OF NBC UNIVERSAL
'PARKS AND RECREATION' HITS A NEW SEASON HIGH IN TOTAL VIEWERS AND MATCHES ITS TOP SCORE IN ADULTS 18-49
WEDNESDAY'S 'MERCY' SEWS UP A NINE-WEEK HIGH IN ADULTS 18-49
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - February 16, 2010 - Paced by three nights of surging Olympics coverage, NBC ranked #1 in all key measures for the week of February 8-14, averaging a 4.7 rating, 13 share in adults 18-49 and 16.1 million viewers overall, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.
NBC won the week of February 8-14 in adults 18-49 with a 4.7 rating, 13 share, marking NBC's best weekly average in primetime's key demographic since the week of January 26-February 1, 2009, when NBC aired the Super Bowl. NBC also won the week in total viewers, averaging 16.1 million viewers overall, the network's top weekly viewership since that same Super Bowl week.
NBC also ranked #1 for the week in adults, men and women 18-34, men and women 18-49, adults, men and women 25-54 and teens 12-17
Through the first three days (Friday-Sunday), an estimated 117 million viewers watched the Vancouver Winter Olympics on the networks of NBC Universal, five million more than watched the first three days of the 2006 Torino Games (112 million). NBC's average viewership for the opening weekend of the Vancouver Olympics is 28.6 million, 25 percent higher, or more than five million persons more than the opening weekend average for Torino (22.9 million). This is the biggest average audience for the first three days of a non-U.S. Winter Olympics since the 1994 Lillehammer Games.
Among adults 18-49, NBC's Friday coverage of the Vancouver Olympics Opening Ceremony ranked #3 among all primetime programs this week, followed immediately in the rankings by NBC's coverage on Saturday of the first night of Olympics competition, which ranked #4, and NBC's Sunday Olympics coverage (#5).
In total viewers, NBC's telecast of the Opening Ceremony on Friday took home the gold, ranking #1 among all primetime programs this week with an average 32.6 million viewers. NBC's Sunday Olympics coverage ranked #3 and the Saturday coverage #4 among primetime programs this week in overall viewership.
Primetime averages for the week of February 8-14 in adults 18-49 were NBC (4.7/13), Fox (3.6/10), CBS (2.9/8), ABC (2.2/6) and CW (0.8/2). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were NBC (16.1 million), CBS (10.6 million), Fox (10.1 million), ABC (6.6 million) and CW (1.8 million).
NBC highlights for the week of February 8-14:
* On Friday, with an average 32.6 million viewers, NBC's coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics ranks as the most-watched opening ceremony for a non-U.S. Winter Olympics in 16 years (since Lillehammer in 1994).
* Friday's coverage of the Opening Ceremony dominated the primetime landscape. In adults 18-49, NBC topped ABC, CBS and Fox combined by 169 percent and in total viewers, NBC more than tripled ABC, CBS and Fox combined.
* On Saturday, NBC's coverage of the first night of competition of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics averaged 26.2 million viewers, topping every single night of the 2006 Torino Games. NBC's Olympics coverage on Saturday more than doubled the combined deliveries of ABC, CBS and Fox in adults 18-49 and total viewers.
* With an average 26.4 million viewers, Sunday's primetime coverage of the Vancouver Olympics topped the first Sunday night of Torino by more than three million viewers. Despite tough competition on Sunday, NBC's primetime Olympics coverage topped the viewership of ABC, CBS and Fox combined.
* On Thursday, "Parks and Recreation" hit a new season high in total viewers and matched its season high in adults 18-49. In its time period, "Parks" ranked #1 in men 18-34 and #2, behind only the premiere of CBS's "Survivor," in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key demos
* "Community" on Thursday ranked #1 among the major networks in its time period in men 18-34 and #2, behind only "Survivor," in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key demographics. "Community" matched its highest 18-49 rating since January 14.
* Also on Thursday, "The Office" was the #1 show in its highly competitive time period in adults and men 18-34 and #2 in women 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54. In total viewers, this was the top-scoring telecast of "The Office" since December 10.
* Additionally on Thursday, "30 Rock" attracted its biggest overall viewership since December 10. "30 Rock" ranked #1 among the major networks in its highly competitive time period in men 18-34 and #2 in adults and women 18-34 and men 18-49.
* On Wednesday, "Mercy" sewed up its highest 18-49 rating since December 9 and its biggest overall audience since January 6. Versus the prior week, "Mercy" was up 13 percent in adults 18-49 and 9 percent in total viewers.
* On Tuesday, "The Biggest Loser: Couples" ranked #2 in its highly competitive two-hour time period among women 18-34 and women 18-49, behind only Fox's "American Idol"-boosted line-up.
* From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Biggest Loser" gained 41 percent in 18-49 rating and 34 percent or more than 2.5 million persons in total viewers. For its second hour from 9-10 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser" ranked #2 among the major networks in adults and women 18-34 and #1 in women 18-49 and women 25-54, ahead of ABC's "Lost," CBS's "NCIS: LA" and Fox's debut of "Past Life" in those demographics
* On Monday, "Heroes" attracted it biggest overall viewership in four weeks, matching its highest 18-49 rating over that same span.
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Ratings reflect "live plus same day" data unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date figures are averages of "live plus seven day" data except for the two most recent weeks, which are "live plus same day."
Additional NBC highlights for the week of February 8-14:
On Monday, February 8 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Chuck" averaged a 2.2 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 6.6 million viewers overall, in a time slot that included competition from Fox's "House," ABC's "The Bachelor" and CBS's comedies. From its first half-hour to its second, "Chuck" increased by 5 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.3 from a 2.2).
Monday from 9-10:01 p.m. ET, "Heroes" (2.0/5 in 18-49, 4.4 million viewers overall) matched its highest 18-49 rating and attracted its biggest overall viewership in four weeks in a time period that included competition from CBS's "Two and a Half Men" and "Big Bang Theory," ABC's "The Bachelor" and Fox's "24." "Heroes" is one of the most time-shifted programs on network television. So far this season, "Heroes" has added 30 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from its "live plus same day" to its "live plus seven day" results. In total viewers, "Heroes" adds 1.4 million viewers to its previously reported "live plus same day" results when "live plus seven day" ratings are released.
Monday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, "The Jay Leno Show" averaged a 1.1/3 in adults 18-49, a 1.4/3 in adults 25-54 and 4.3 million viewers overall. Monday's time-period competition included CBS's CSI: Miami" and ABC's "Castle" encore. Versus the prior Monday's telecast, "The Jay Leno Show" was up 13 percent in total viewers (4.3 million vs. 3.8 million).
Comparisons with Jay Leno's 2008-09 average at 11:35 p.m. ET on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" are: in adults 18-49 (1.1 vs. 1.4), adults 25-54 (1.4 vs. 1.8) and total viewers (4.3 million vs. 5.1 million). Comparisons to NBC's Monday-through-Friday 10-11 p.m. ET non-sports average over the prior 52 weeks were: in adults 18-49 (1.1 vs. 2.2), adults 25-54 (1.4 vs. 2.7) and total viewers (4.3 million vs. 6.9 million).
On Tuesday, February 9 from 8-10:01 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser: Couples" (3.5/9 in adults 18-49, 8.9 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in its highly competitive time period among women 18-34 and women 18-49, behind only Fox's "American Idol"-boosted lineup. From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Loser" gained 41 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 4.1/10 from a 2.9/8) and 34 percent or more than 2.5 million persons in total viewers (10.2 million vs. 7.6 million).
For its second hour from 9-10 p.m., "Biggest Loser" ranked #2 among the major networks in adults and women 18-34 and #1 in women 18-49 and women 25-54, ahead of ABC's "Lost," CBS's "NCIS: LA" and Fox's debut of "Past Life" in those demographics. In fact, "Biggest Loser" outweighed the "Past Life" premiere in all key ratings categories - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, as well as total viewers - despite an "American Idol" lead-in for the Fox series debut.
Tuesday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, "The Jay Leno Show" averaged a 1.7/5 in adults 18-49, a 2.1/5 in adults 25-54 and 5.6 million viewers overall. Tuesday's time-period competition included CBS's "The Good Wife" and ABC's "The Forgotten."
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Comparisons with Jay Leno's 2008-09 average at 11:35 p.m. ET on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" are: in adults 18-49 (1.7 vs. 1.4), adults 25-54 (2.1 vs. 1.8) and total viewers (5.6 million vs. 5.1 million). Comparisons to NBC's Monday-through-Friday 10-11 p.m. ET non-sports average over the prior 52 weeks were: in adults 18-49 (1.7 vs. 2.2), adults 25-54 (2.1 vs. 2.7) and total viewers (5.6 million vs. 6.9 million).
On Wednesday, February 10 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Mercy" (1.8/5 in adults 18-49, 6.8 million viewers overall) sewed up its highest 18-49 rating since December 9 and its biggest overall audience since January 6. Versus the prior week, "Mercy" was up 13 percent in adults 18-49 (1.8 vs. 1.6) and up 9 percent in total viewers (6.8 million vs. 6.2 million). "Mercy" ranked #2 among the major networks in women 18-34, topping CBS's comedies and Fox's "Human Target" in that demographic. .
Wednesday from 9-10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law and Order; Special Victims Unit" (1.2/3 in 18-49, 4.4 million viewers overall) improved on its results of one week earlier in this time period by 33 percent in 18-49 rating (1.2 vs. 0.9) in a slot that included competition from Fox's "American Idol," CBS's "Criminal Minds" and ABC's "Modern Family" and "Cougar Town."
Wednesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, a second rebroadcast of "Law and Order: SVU" (1.8/5 in 18-49, 5.9 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 50 percent in 18-49 rating and by 35 percent in total viewers. From its first half-hour to its second, "SVU" increased by 12 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.9 from a 1.7) and by 5 percent in total viewers (to 6.1 million from 5.8 million), while competing first-run dramas on ABC and CBS were declining half-hour to half-hour in both categories. The "SVU" encore ranked #2 among the major networks in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key measures.
On Thursday, February 11 from 8-8:30 p.m. ET, "Community" (2.3/7 in adults 18-49, 5.1 million viewers overall) matched its highest 18-49 rating since January 14. In the time period, "Community" ranked #1 among the major networks in men 18-34 and #2, behind only CBS's "Survivor" premiere, in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key demographics. "Community" was up 35 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC's average in the time period this season prior to the debut of "Community" in the slot (2.3 vs. 1.7). It is worth noting that so far this season, "Community" has added 25 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from its "live plus same day" to its "live plus seven day" results.
From 8:30-9 p.m. ET, "Parks and Recreation" (2.3/7 in 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall) matched its season high in adults 18-49 and hit a new season high in total viewers. "Parks" retained 100 percent of its 18-49 lead-in from "Community" and has now retained 95 percent or more of its 18-49 lead-in with 15 of 16 original telecasts this season. "Parks and Recreation" ranked #1 among the major networks in the slot in men 18-34 and #2, behind only the "Survivor" premiere, in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key demos. "Parks and Recreation" has added 19 percent to its 18-49 rating this season when going from its "live plus same day" to its "live plus seven day" results.
Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, "The Office" (3.7/10 in 18-49, 7.4 million viewers overall) was the #1 show in its highly competitive time period in adults and men 18-34, ahead of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," CBS's "Survivor" premiere and Fox's "Past Life" in those demos. "The Office" ranked #2 in women 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54. In total viewers, this was the top-scoring telecast of "The Office" since December 10.
"The Office" is a heavily time-shifted show, adding an average 28 percent to its 18-49 rating so far this season when going from its "live plus same day" to its "live plus seven day" results. In total viewers, "The Office" adds more than 1.9 million viewers to its previously reported "live plus same day" results when "live plus seven day" ratings are released
From 9:31-10:01 p.m. ET, "30 Rock" (2.8/7 in 18-49, 6.0 million viewers overall) attracted its biggest overall viewership since December 10. "30 Rock" ranked #1 among the major networks in its highly competitive time period in men 18-34 and #2 in adults and women 18-34 and men 18-49. "30 Rock" is a heavily time-shifted program, so far this season adding an average 25 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from its "live plus same day" to its "live plus seven day" results. In total viewers, "30 Rock" adds more than 1.3 million viewers to its previously reported "live plus same day" results when "live plus seven day" ratings are released.
Thursday from 10:01-10:31 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "The Office" (1.7/5 in adults 18-49, 3.4 million viewers overall) ranked #2 among the major networks in men 18-34 and men 18-49. From 10:31-11 p.m., a second rebroadcast of "The Office" (1.4/4 in 18-49, 2.8 million viewers overall) also ranked #2 in men 18-34 and men 18-49.
On Friday, February 12, NBC's primetime coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver averaged a 9.4/27 in adults 18-49, 34.6 million viewers overall and an 18.1/30 household rating/share from 8-11 p.m. ET. For its full duration from 8 p.m.-12:06 a.m., ET, coverage of the Opening Ceremony averaged a 9.0/27 in 18-49, 32.6 million viewers overall and a 17.3/30 household rating/share.
This was up 47 percent in total viewers (32.6 million vs. 22.2 million) and 38 percent in 18-49 rating (9.0 vs. 6.5) versus coverage of the 2006 Torino Opening Ceremony, With an average 32.6 million viewers, Vancouver is the most-watched Opening Ceremony for a non-U.S. Winter Olympics in 16 years (since Lillehammer in 1994).
NBC's coverage of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics Opening Ceremony dominated the primetime landscape. In adults 18-49, NBC topped ABC, CBS and Fox combined by 169 percent (NBC's 9.4 vs. a 3.5 for ABC-CBS-Fox combined). In total viewers, NBC more than tripled ABC, CBS and Fox combined (34.6 million vs. 10.5 million).
On Saturday, February 13, NBC's primetime coverage of the first night of competition of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics averaged a 7.5/22 in adults 18-49, 26.3 million viewers overall and a 14.0/24 household rating/share from 8:30-11 p.m. ET. For its full duration from 8:30-11:29 p.m., NBC's Saturday Olympics coverage averaged a 7.6/23 in adults 18-49, 26.2 million viewers overall and a 14.0/25 household rating/share. (Note: The 8-8:30 p.m. half-hour on Saturday ran as sustaining programming and is not included in the nightly or weekly averages.) .
Saturday's coverage was up 13 percent in total viewers versus the first Saturday night of competition in Torino (26.2 million vs. 23.2 million), despite the presence of pairs figure skating on the first Saturday of the 2006 Torino Games. In fact, the average viewership of 26.2 million for Saturday night tops every single night of the 2006 Torino Olympics.
In primetime Saturday, NBC more than doubled the combined deliveries of ABC, CBS and Fox, topping the other three major broadcast networks combined by 121 percent in adults 18-49 (7.5 for NBC from 8:30-11 p.m. vs. a 3.4 for ABC, CBS and Fox) and by 152 percent in total viewers (26.3 million vs. 10.4 million).
On Sunday, February 14, NBC's primetime coverage of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics averaged a 7.0/19 in adults 18-49, 26.4 million viewers overall and a 14.4/23 household rating/share from 7-11 p.m. ET.
With an average 26.4 million viewers, Sunday's primetime coverage of the Vancouver Olympics topped the first Sunday night of Torino by more than three million viewers (26.4 million vs. 23.2 million).
NBC's primetime Olympics coverage faced significant competition Sunday night, including the season premiere of "Amazing Race" and the time-period debut of "Undercover Boss" on CBS and a primetime overrun of the Daytona 500 followed by original episodes of "The Simpsons," "Family Guy" and other first-run animated comedies on Fox. Despite this competition, NBC topped its closest competitors in primetime Sunday by 89 percent in adults 18-49 (7.0 for NBC from 7-11 p.m. vs. a 3.7 for Fox from 7-10 p.m.) while out-delivering its nearest rival in total viewers by 155 percent (26.4 million vs. 10.4 million for CBS).
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