NBC Holding Strong as America's No. 1 Broadcast Network

NBC has won another week among the Big 4 networks in the coveted 18-49 demographic, and also won the week in total viewers for the first time since February. NBC leads the 2013-14 broadcast year to date in 18-49, ranking No. 1 at this point in the season for the first time in 10 years.

NBC has won the primetime week of July 28-Aug. 3 among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and total viewers, with the NFL Hall of Fame Game and America’s Got Talent accounting for the No. 1 and No. 2 ratings of the week on the Big 4 networks in 18-49 and the week’s top three scores in total viewers.  

Also ranking in the primetime top 30 last week were American Ninja Warrior (pictured), Dateline NBC, Running Wild with Bear Grylls, Food Fighters, Dateline NBC and Last Comic Standing. NBC averaged a 1.4 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49 and 5.4 million viewers overall for the week, according to "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

This marks the 11th week in a row NBC has ranked No. 1 or tied for No. 1 in adults 18-49 among the Big 4 nets excluding networks boosted by the major sporting events the NBA Finals and the Baseball All-Star Game. In total viewers, this is NBC’s first weeklong win since the week of Feb. 17-23 during the Sochi Olympics.

NBC won the week among the Big 4 in every key ratings measure – adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, plus total viewers – including a tie with ABC in women 25-54.

Sunday’s NBC Sports coverage of the Giants-Bills Hall of Fame Game ranked No. 1 for the week among primetime telecasts on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49, while the Tuesday Talent finished No. 2, Wednesday’s Talent tied for No. 4, Monday’s American Ninja Warrior tied for No. 8, Monday’s premiere of Running Wild with Bear Grylls ranked No. 14, Tuesday’s Food Fighters finished No. 15, Friday’s Dateline NBC and Wednesday’s Talent encore tied for No. 16 and Thursday’s Last Comic Standing tied for No. 22. Rankings exclude sports pre- and post-game shows.

The Giants-Bills NFL game was also No. 1 for the week on the Big 4 in adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and all key adult-male demos, while Talent was No. 1 in total viewers, kids 2-11 and teens 12-17. In adults 18-34, Ninja Warrior was No. 2 and the No. 1 non-sports telecast on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox

Through 45 weeks of the 2013-14 broadcast year, NBC ranks No. 1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, adults 18-34 (tied with Fox), men 18-49 (tied with Fox), men 25-54 and all key adult-female demos. It’s the first time NBC has ranked No. 1 in adults 18-49 at this point in the season in 10 years (since the 2003-04 season).

NBC’s 2.4 rating in adults 18-49 matches the network’s top average at this point in the season in four years (since a 2.5 in 2009-10).

Versus one year ago, NBC is up +9 percent for the broadcast year to date in adults 18-49 (2.4 vs. 2.2).

In total viewers, NBC ranks No. 2 for the broadcast year with an average of 8.4 million viewers, which is its biggest overall audience 45 weeks into the season in eight years (since 2005-06, 9.0 million). Versus one year ago, NBC is up +26 percent season to date in total viewers (8.4 million vs. 6.7 million). It’s the first time NBC has ranked No. 2 in total viewers at this point in the season in 10 years.

Primetime averages for the week of July 28-Aug. 3 in adults 18-49 are: NBC, 1.4/5; ABC, 1.1/4; CBS, 1.0/4; Fox, 0.8/3; and CW, 0.3/1. In overall total viewers, the weekly averages were: NBC, 5.4 million; CBS, 5.3 million; ABC, 4.5 million; Fox, 2.3 million; and CW, 0.8 million.

Season-to-date averages are: NBC, 2.4/8; Fox, 2.2/7; CBS, 2.1/6; ABC, 2.0/6; and CW, 0.7/2. In overall total viewers, the season averages are: CBS, 9.6 million; NBC, 8.4 million; ABC, 7.1 million; Fox, 6.5 million; and CW, 1.7 million.