Television

The Voice and The Blacklist Stake NBC to Late Season Lead

Universal City, CA

With The Voice and The Blacklist generating three of the week’s top 10 ratings among primetime programs on the Big 4 networks, NBC has averaged a 1.5 rating, 4 share in adults 18-49 and 5.7 million viewers overall for the week of March 31-April 6, according to “live plus same day” viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

The Monday edition of The Voice ranked No. 3 among the week’s primetime programs on the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, while Tuesday’s Voice finished No. 6 and Monday’s The Blacklist tied for No. 8. The Monday Voice was No. 1 among Big 4 primetime programs last week in teens 12-17 and both Voice editions were among five shows tying for No. 1 among kids 2-11.

Through the season’s 28th week, NBC has won 77 nights in adults 18-49 among the Big 4 networks, more NBC nightlong wins than for any full September-to-May season since 2003-04 (83 wins).

Through 28 weeks of the season, NBC ranks No. 1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and all key adult-female demos. It’s the first time NBC has ranked No. 1 in 18-49 this late in the season in 10 years (since the 2003-04 season).

NBC’s 2.9 rating in adults 18-49 is the network’s top average at this point in the season in five years (since a 2.9 in 2008-09).

Versus one year ago, NBC is up 21 percent season to date in adults 18-49 (2.9 vs. 2.4).

In total viewers, NBC ranks No. 2 for the season with an average of 9.8 million viewers, which is its biggest overall audience 28 weeks into the season in eight years (since 2005-06, 9.9 million). Versus one year ago, NBC is up 39% season to date in total viewers (9.8 million vs. 7.1 million).

Primetime averages for the week of March 31-April 6 in adults 18-49 are: CBS, 2.1/6; ABC, 1.6/5; NBC, 1.5/4; Fox, 1.2/4; and CW, 0.4/1.  In overall total viewers, the weekly averages were: CBS, 10.1 million; ABC, 6.4 million; NBC, 5.7 million; Fox, 4.0 million; and CW, 1.2 million.

Season-to-date averages are: NBC, 2.9/9; Fox, 2.6/8; CBS, 2.4/7; ABC, 2.1/6; and CW, 0.8/2.  In overall total viewers, the season averages are: CBS, 10.8 million; NBC, 9.8 million; Fox, 7.7 million; ABC, 7.5 million; and CW, 1.9 million.

NBC highlights for the week of March 31-April 6:

  • Monday: NBC won Monday among the Big 4 nets in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key measures, despite CBS’s highly rated finale of How I Met Your Mother.

  • The Voice (3.4 rating, 10 share in adults 18-49, 12.3 million viewers overall from 8-10:01 p.m. ET,) grew significantly throughout its two hours, with this track: 3.0, 3.4, 3.5, 3.8. From its first half-hour to its fourth, The Voice increased by 0.8 of a point or 27 percent in 18-49 and by 17 percent or 1.8 million persons in total viewers (to 13.0 million from 11.2 million). For its second hour from 9-10 p.m., The Voice won among the Big 4 in 18-49 by a 48 percent margin (with a 3.7 rating vs. an average 2.5 for CBS’s second-place hour of comedy, including the debut of Friends With Better Lives).

  • The Blacklist (2.8/8 in adults 18-49, 11.4 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) matched the show’s highest 18-49 rating since Feb. 24 and delivered the show’s biggest overall audience since Dec. 2. The Blacklist is a dominant No. 1 in the hour among ABC, CBS and NBC in every key ratings measure, and, with ABC’s Castle in rebroadcast, Blacklist topped the ABC-CBS drama competition combined in every key demographic. Versus NBC’s averages in the time period last season, The Blacklist was up 40 percent in 18-49 (2.8 vs. 2.0, L+SD, non-sports) and up 98 percent in total viewers (11.4 million vs. 5.7 million).

For the full release, click here.