NBC overtakes CBS in US ratings
The last time NBC was the most-watched network in America, Friends was averaging 24.5m viewers.
- Published by David Knox
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NBC has overtaken CBS in US television ratings – topping the leader board for the first time since 2002.
Boosted by the Super Bowl, the Winter Olympics and This Is Us, NBC is up 7% compared to last season, averaging 9.56 million viewers.
CBS is averaging 9.38 million, according to Nielsen.
In the all-important 18-49 demo, NBC holds a daunting 39 percent lead over its closest competitor.
“Only five years ago we were still fourth place in total viewers after having regained the 18-49 demo crown in 2014, a level we’ve maintained for the past four full seasons,” said NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt. “This is an achievement that reflects NBC’s strength as a true broadcaster, delivering mega-events like Sunday Night Football, the Super Bowl and Olympics, along with the some of the highest-rated scripted and unscripted programming on television such as This Is Us, Will & Grace, The Voice, America’s Got Talent.”
The last time NBC had a Super Bowl and Olympics in the same season was in 2011-12, but it still finished No. 2 in viewers.
The last time NBC was the most-watched network in America, Friends was averaging 24.5 million viewers, joined by hit shows ER and The West Wing.
Season-to-Date Averages (and 2016-17 comparisons)
Total Viewers
1. NBC — 9.569 million (up 7 percent)
2. CBS — 9.385 million (down 8 percent)
3. ABC — 5.911 million (down 7 percent)
4. Fox* — 5.892 million (down 19 percent)
Adult 18-49 Rating
1. NBC — 2.47 (up 2 percent)
2. Fox — 1.77 (down 24 percent)
3. CBS — 1.66 (down 15 percent)
4. ABC — 1.45 (down 12 percent)
*Fox aired the Super Bowl in 2017, a significant factor in its YOY drops
Source: Variety, Hollywood Reporter
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- Tagged with America’s Got Talent, ER, Friends, Sunday Night Football, Super Bowl, The Voice, The West Wing, This is Us, Will & Grace, Winter Olympics
7 Responses
Total people in the US is purely bragging rights. It’s all about the 18 to 49’ers
I’m not surprised. They’ve had quite the line up recently compared to the other networks. I’m pretty surprised with FOX’s dip in the demos though.
“*Fox aired the Super Bowl in 2017, a significant factor in its YOY drops”
do you mean 2016?
I wonder if NBC will hold their lead? NCIS is always huge for CBS.
So the answer for Ten is buy sports broadcasts??
I love that Will & Grace is still a current show in production rating reasonably well.
It’s so weird seeing W&G mentioned in a statement about a channels currently successful shows. I’m so happy it’s doing so well.