‘TODAY’ Wins Across the Board for the February Sweep
‘TODAY’ #1 in A18-49 for 25 Consecutive February Sweeps
‘TODAY’ Doubles Key 25-54 Demo Advantage vs. GMA Compared to Prior Sweep
NEW YORK – March 2, 2018 – NBC News’ TODAY, co-anchored by Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, wins across the board for February 2018 sweeps, its first in six years since February 2012. This also marks the show’s 25th consecutive year at number one for February sweeps for the A18-49 demo, and its largest sweep advantage in A25-54 over ABC’s GMA since February 2012. Additionally, TODAY more than doubled its A25-54 advantage vs. GMA compared to the prior November 2017 sweep period, and improved its advantage by 92% compared to the previous year with February 2017 sweeps.
Megyn Kelly TODAY at 9 a.m. ET and TODAY with Kathie Lee and Hoda at 10 a.m. ET are also up across the board vs. the prior November 2017 sweeps period.
TODAY HIGHLIGHTS:
| Program | HH Rtg | HH Shr | P2+ Imps | P18-49 Rtg | P18-49 Imps | P25-54 Rtg | P25-54 Imps |
| TODAY | 3.22 | 13 | 4,465 | 0.95 | 1,224 | 1.36 | 1,644 |
| CBS THIS MORNING | 2.51 | 10 | 3,479 | 0.54 | 701 | 0.79 | 953 |
| GOOD MORNING AMERICA | 3.07 | 12 | 4,248 | 0.77 | 988 | 1.14 | 1,371 |
TODAY ranked #1 among total viewers, its first February sweep win in six years
- TODAY averaged 4.465 million total viewers, +217,000 (+5%) higher than GMA and +986,000 (+28%) more than CBS This Morning
- TODAY was the only broadcast to increase its viewership compared to the November 2017 sweep
- Versus the February 2017 sweep, TODAY’s total viewership increased +3% (+145,000) and widened its lead vs. CBS by 73%
TODAY has won 11 consecutive sweeps among A25-54 viewers
- TODAY averaged 1.644 million A25-54 viewers, leading GMA by +273,000 (+20%) and CBS by +691,000 (+73%)
- This was TODAY’s widest sweep advantage over GMA since February 2012
- Compared to the prior sweep (November 2017), TODAY more than doubled its A25-54 lead vs. GMA (by 110%) and widened its advantage over CBS by 34%
- Compared to the February 2017 sweep, TODAY improved its advantage over GMA by 92% (+273,000 vs. +142,000 in Feb’17) and widened its lead over CBS by 26% (+691,000 vs. +547,000 in Feb’17)
TODAY ranked #1 among A18-49 viewers for the 13th consecutive sweep (and 92nd of the last 95 sweeps dating back to Nov’94)
- TODAY averaged 1.224 million A18-459 viewers, outperforming GMA by +236,000 (+24%) and CBS by +523,000 (+75%)
- TODAY has ranked #1 during the February sweep for the 25thyear in a row
- Versus February 2017, TODAY more than doubled (111%) its lead over GMA (+236,000 vs. +112,000 in Feb’17) and improved its lead vs. CBS by 25% (+523,000 vs. +417,000 in Feb’17)
Olympics Coverage Accounts for the Top 8 Primetime Broadcasts of the Week in 18-49 and Total Viewers
The Most Dominant Winter Games on Record, With an +82% Margin Over the Combined Big 4 Competition in Total Viewers, Solidifies NBC’s Season Leadership in Every Key Ratings Measure, Including Total Viewers for the First Time Since 2001-02
NBC Has Now Ranked #1 Among the Broadcast Nets for 74 Consecutive Olympic Nights in Total Viewers and 438 Straight Olympic Half-hours in Primetime
Season to Date, NBC Rules the Adult 18-49 Race by a +53% Margin, the Biggest Advantage for Any Network at This Point in the Season in the 30-Year History of Nielsen’s Current People Meter Sample
On Monday, PyeongChang Coverage Tops the Combined Big 4 Competition by +44% in Total Viewers and +52% in 18-49
Feb. 20 Coverage Generates the Most Dominant Winter Olympics 2nd Tuesday in People Meter History
On Feb. 21, NBC’s Primetime Olympics Telecast Delivers the Most Dominant Winter Games 2nd Wednesday Since 2002
Thursday’s 15.2 Million Viewer Average Beats the Big 4 Competition Combined by +46%
Friday’s PyeongChang Coverage Wins the Night Across the Board
NBC Rules Sunday With Closing Ceremony Coverage & “A.P. Bio,” Which Jumps +89% Vs. the Show’s Earlier Thursday Preview in Total Viewers
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — Feb. 27, 2018 — NBC has won the primetime ratings week of Feb. 19-25 among the Big 4 networks in every key ratings category, with coverage of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics accounting for the top 8 primetime broadcasts of the week in adults 18-49 and total viewers, according to “live plus same day” figures from Nielsen Media Research for the week of Feb. 19-25.
Monday through Sunday primetime coverage and a Saturday “Winter Olympic Gala” 10 p.m. telecast delivered the week’s top eight rankings among primetime broadcasts in 18-49 and total viewers, and accounted for at least the top 5 in every other key Nielsen measure.
NBC’s 18-night primetime average of 17.8 million viewers for the Olympics topped the combined 9.8 million of the competing Big 4 networks ABC, CBS and Fox by +82%, to rank as the most dominant Winter Games on record. The Total Audience Delivery of 19.8 million generated a +102% advantage over the combined Big 4 competition.
NBC has now ranked #1 among the broadcast networks on 74 consecutive Olympics nights in total viewers, exceeded the combined viewership of ABC, CBS and Fox on 35 straight Olympic nights and won 438 consecutive Olympic half hours in primetime.
In adults 18-49, NBC is dominating the current primetime season, with leads over #2 Fox of +0.9 of a rating point or +53% (2.6 vs. 1.7). The +53% advantage is the best for any #1 network at this point in the season in the 30-year history of Nielsen’s current people-meter sample.
Season to date, NBC is also running #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in every other key ratings measure, including total viewers, for the first time since 2001-02. Excluding all sports, NBC is running closer to CBS at this point in the season in total viewers than it’s been in 15 years, since 2002-03 (currently within 1.3 million total viewers of CBS excluding sports, best since the gap was 727,000 in 2002-03).
Counting entertainment programming only, NBC leads the season in adults 18-49, and also ranks #1 among the Big 4 in adults 25-54, adults 18-34, men 18-49 (tie) and all key adult-female demos.
Weekly ratings are “live plus same day” figures from Nielsen Media Research unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date ratings are averages of “live plus seven day” data except for the two most recent weeks, which are “live plus same day.”
Week 22 Averages
Adult 18-49 Rating, “live plus same day,” Feb. 19-25
NBC…3.1
ABC…0.9
CBS…0.9
Fox…0.5
CW…0.2
Total Viewers
NBC…14.2 million
CBS…4.8 million
ABC…3.5 million
Fox…2.0 million
CW…0.8 million
Season-to-Date Averages
Adult 18-49 Rating, “Most Current”
NBC…2.6
Fox…1.7
CBS…1.6
ABC…1.4
CW…0.6
Total Viewers
NBC…10.3 million
CBS…9.1 million
ABC…5.8 million
Fox…5.6 million
CW…1.8 million
NBC highlights for the week of Feb. 19-25:
Monday
NBC’s Feb. 19 primetime Olympics coverage topped the combined ABC-CBS-Fox competition by +44% in total viewers (16.4 million vs. a combined 11.4 million) and +52% in adult 18-49 rating (3.8 vs. 2.5). NBC/NBCSN averaged 18.5 million viewers, up +62% versus the combined Big 4 competition.
Tuesday
Led by Lindsey Vonn’s bronze medal performance in her final Olympic downhill, Tuesday’s NBC Olympics primetime coverage generated a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) average of 20.5 million viewers, an increase of +8% over the second Tuesday of the 2014 Sochi Olympics, according to “live plus same day” TV viewership figures from Nielsen, and digital data from Adobe Analytics. The Feb. 20 NBC/NBCSN average of 20.1 million viewers dominated the TV competition – an +88% advantage over the combined 10.7 million primetime viewers for ABC, CBS and Fox. The NBC-only 17.6 million viewers in the 8-11 p.m. ET primetime window topped by +64% the other broadcast networks, making this the most dominant second Tuesday of Winter Games coverage in people meter history (since September 1987). TAD viewership was up versus NBC-only broadcast viewership by +17% Tuesday night.
Wednesday
NBC’s Wednesday primetime PyeongChang Olympic telecast was by far the most watched show of the night – marking the 70th consecutive night that an NBC Olympics presentation has topped primetime. This streak began with Day 14 of the 2010 Vancouver Games. The night’s NBC / NBCSN average of 16.3 million viewers generated a +63% advantage over the combined 10.0 million primetime viewers for ABC, CBS and Fox. The NBC-only 14.1 million viewers in the 8-11 p.m. ET primetime window topped by 41% the other broadcast networks – marking the most dominant 2nd Wednesday of Winter Games coverage since the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics.
Thursday
NBC’s Thursday primetime PyeongChang Olympic telecast was by far the most watched show of the night – marking the 32nd consecutive night that an NBC Olympics presentation has outperformed the combined primetime performance of the other broadcast networks. Thursday night’s NBC/NBCSN average of 17.4 million viewers delivered a +67% advantage over the combined 10.4 million primetime viewers for ABC, CBS and Fox, while the NBC-only 15.2 million viewers in the 8:30-11 p.m. ET primetime window topped by +46% the other broadcast networks.
Friday
Friday’s coverage won the night in every key measure and beat the combined total-viewer competition on the Big 4 networks by a +43% margin (12.9 million for NBC vs. 9.1 for ABC, CBS and Fox combined).
Saturday
NBC’s Feb. 24 primetime Olympics coverage averaged a 2.2 in 18-49 and 11.3 million viewers overall, to beat the combined ABC-CBS-Fox competition by +28% in total viewers (11.3 million vs. a combined 8.8 million).
Sunday
Led by coverage of the Closing Ceremony from PyeongChang (3.0/11 in 18-49, 14.8 million viewers overall), NBC won Sunday night among the broadcast networks in every key measure and beat the combined Big 4 competition in total viewers.
NBC’s Sunday telecast of “A.P. Bio” (1.4/6 in 18-49, 5.9 million viewers overall airing concurrently coast to coast from 10:31-11 p.m. ET / 7:31-8 p.m. PT, with encores in the Western U.S.) generated solid sampling for the first-year series, growing +2.8 million viewers or +89% versus the show’s preview on Thursday, Feb. 1 in total viewers (5.888 million vs. 3.117 million at 9:31 p.m.) and +75% in adult 18-49 rating in 18-49 (1.4 vs. 0.8). The special Sunday “A.P. Bio” also increased by +40% versus NBC’s Sunday 10:30-11 p.m. average for last season excluding sports in 18-49 (1.4 vs. 1.0) and by +1.3 million persons or +29% in total viewers (5.888 million vs. 4.547 million). L+3: The Feb. 1 telecast of “A.P. Bio” increased by +63% in 18-49 going from L+SD to L+7 (0.8 to 1.3) and +1.2 million viewers overall (3.1 million to 4.3 million). With the addition of 23 days of viewership on alternate platforms, the pilot episode has grown to a 2.17 rating in 18-49. Upscale: “A.P. Bio” is attracting a substantial upscale audience, with the Feb. 1 preview indexing at a 142 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (“most current”). Among adults 18-49 with four or more years of college, the preview indexed at a 159, to top all season averages for primetime series on the Big 4 networks.
“NBC NIGHTLY NEWS WITH LESTER HOLT” WINS FEBRUARY, NOW #1 FOR 32 STRAIGHT MONTHS
#1 in A18-49 for 34 Consecutive Months
Longest Weekly Key Demo Winning Streak in Over 4.5 Years
FEBRUARY 27, 2018 – “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt” is the #1 most-watched broadcast in the key demo for the month of February, winning its 32 straight month, according to Nielsen Media Research data.
The broadcast’s winning streak in the demo most valued by news advertisers is its longest in nearly four years, averaging 2.1 million A25-54 viewers this past month, beating “ABC World News Tonight” by +178,000 viewers (+9%) and “CBS Evening News” by +672,000 viewers (+46%).
Now for 34 consecutive months, “Nightly News” is also the most-watched among A18-49 viewers, averaging 1.5 million and topping ABC by +201,000 viewers (+15%) and CBS by +572,000 viewers (+52%).
8.7 million total viewers tuned in to “Nightly News” for the month of February 2018: +1.9 million total viewers (+28%) more than “CBS Evening News.”
For the week of February 19, “Nightly News” was #1 in the key demo for the 88th week in a row, averaging 2.1 million A25-54 viewers and leading ABC by +126,000 viewers (+6%) and CBS by +666,000 viewers (+47%). For 133 of the past 134 weeks, Nightly News was also the most-watched among A18-49 viewers, averaging 1.5 million and topping ABC by +180,000 viewers (+13%) and CBS by +553,000 viewers (+58%).
For the week of February 19, the broadcast aired hours earlier than normal in 25 percent of the country due to Olympic Games coverage; West Coast viewers received the show at 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time and 4:30 p.m. Mountain Time during the entirety of the Games. 8.3 million total viewers tuned in to “Nightly News” last week, beating CBS by +1.7 million viewers (+25%).
“Nightly News” continues as the #1 most-watched evening newscast season-to-date in the key demo, delivering its largest demo lead over CBS in seven seasons.
# # #
Monthly Highlights:
- “Nightly News” averaged 2.1 million A25-54 viewers, outperforming ABC by +178,000 viewers (+9%) and CBS by +672,000 (+46%).
- “Nightly News” has ranked #1 in A25-54 for 32 consecutive months.
- “Nightly News” averaged 1.5 million A18-49 viewers, topping ABC by +201,000 (+15%) and CBS by +527,000 (+52%).
- Among A18-49 viewers, Nightly News is #1 for 34 consecutive months.
- “Nightly News” averaged 8.7 million total viewers, besting CBS by +1.9 million (+28%).
Weekly Highlights:
- “Nightly News” averaged 2.1 million A25-54 viewers, outperforming ABC by +126,000 viewers (+6%) and CBS by +666,000 (+47%).
- “Nightly News” has ranked #1 in A25-54 for 88 consecutive weeks.
- “Nightly News” continues its longest weekly key demo winning streak in over 4.5 years
- “Nightly News” averaged 1.5 million A18-49 viewers, topping ABC by +180,000 (+13%) and CBS by +553,000 (+58%).
- Among A18-49 viewers, Nightly News has won 133 of the last 134 weeks.
- “Nightly News” averaged 8.3 million total viewers, besting CBS by +1.7 million (+25%).
Season Highlights:
- “Nightly News” is the #1 evening newscast this season in A25-54 and A18-49
- “Nightly News” holds its largest A25-54 demo advantage over CBS in seven seasons.
# # #
Week of February 19 – February 23, 2018:
| Total Viewers | A25-54 Rating | A25-54 Viewers | A18-49 Rating | A18-49 Viewers | |
| NBC | 8.288 | 1.71 | 2.069 | 1.17 | 1.509 |
| CBS | 6.619 | 1.16 | 1.403 | 0.74 | 0.956 |
| ABC | 9.260 | 1.61 | 1.943 | 1.03 | 1.329 |
# # #
ABOUT NBC NIGHTLY NEWS WITH LESTER HOLT
NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt is the most-watched evening newscast in America, providing the very latest on the day’s top stories and going beyond the headlines to add context and analysis to the most pressing issues of our times. NBC Nightly News reaches more than 24 million people every week through its broadcast and millions more through NBCNews.com, the Nightly News app, and social media platforms. Lester Holt is the anchor, and Sam Singal is the executive producer.
NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt is the most-watched evening newscast in America, providing the very latest on the day’s top stories and going beyond the headlines to add context and analysis to the most pressing issues of our times. NBC Nightly News reaches more than 24 million people every week through its broadcast and millions more through NBCNews.com, the Nightly News app, and social media platforms. Lester Holt is the anchor, and Sam Singal is the executive producer.
‘TODAY’ BRINGS HOME ACROSS-THE-BOARD RATINGS GOLD, WINS SECOND WEEK OF OLYMPICS AND FEBRUARY 2018
TODAY is #1 Outright for the Third Consecutive Month, Best Streak since June 2012
TODAY Wins Across The Board Every Morning of the PyeongChang Winter Games
TODAY Tops GMA in Key Demo for 30th Consecutive Month, Its Best Demo Streak in Six Years
TODAY Improves Key Demo and Total Viewers Advantages Over GMA
TODAY is the Only Morning News Broadcast to Post Year-Over-Year Growth in Total Viewers, A25-54 and A18-49
NEW YORK – February 27, 2018 – TODAY continues its ratings streak as the top-rated morning news broadcast, winning across the board during both week two from PyeongChang and February 2018. The monthly win marks TODAY’s third consecutive month of ratings dominance in total viewers, the key A25-54 demo and A18-49 since June 2012.
Co-anchored by Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, TODAY was number-one across the board during the full two weeks of Olympics coverage from South Korea, and posted its best two-week Winter Olympics advantage over GMA in P2+ and A25-54 since Vancouver 2010. TODAY’s February win marks the show’s 30th consecutive month at #1 in the A25-54 demo and 35th consecutive month at #1 in A18-49. Additionally, TODAY, which improved its advantages over GMA for both the month and the week, is the only morning news broadcast to post year-over-year growth in total viewers, A25-54 and A18-49.
Additionally, Megyn Kelly TODAY at 9 a.m. and TODAY with Kathie Lee and Hoda at 10 a.m. are up across the board week-to-week.
TODAY HIGHLIGHTS
FEBRUARY 2018
TODAY averaged 4.471 million total viewers, leading GMA by +196,000 (+5%) and CBS This Morning by +960,000 (+27%)
TODAY’s total viewer advantage hit a six-year February high vs. GMA and a three-year February high vs. CBS
TODAY more than doubled its total viewer lead over GMA compared to prior month (+196,000 vs. +62,000 in Jan’18)
TODAY was the only broadcast to post viewership growth month-over-month (+2% vs. Jan’18) and versus February 2017 (+4%)
TODAY has been #1 among A25-54 viewers for 30 consecutive months and 31 of the last 32 months.
- TODAY averaged 1.657 million A25-54 viewers, +265,000 (+19%) higher than GMA and +686,000 (+71%) more than CBS
- This was TODAY’s best monthly average in a year (since Feb’17)
- TODAY improved its advantages over the competition month-over-month and versus February 2017
TODAY has ranked #1 among A18-49 viewers for 35 consecutive months
- TODAY averaged 1.241 million A18-49 viewers, outperforming GMA by +238,000 (+24%) and CBS by +521,000 (+72%)
- TODAY had its best monthly A18-49 viewer average since December 2016
- Month-over-month, TODAY’s A18-49 viewership increased by +4%. Compared to February 2017, TODAY was up +1%.
WEEK OF FEBRUARY 19-25, 2018
| Net | HH Rtg | HH Shr | P2+ Imps | P18-49 Rtg | P18-49 Imps | P25-54 Rtg | P25-54 Imps |
| TODAY | 3.17 | 13 | 4,389 | 0.94 | 1,217 | 1.34 | 1,614 |
| CBS THIS MORNING | 2.45 | 10 | 3,374 | 0.50 | 646 | 0.73 | 885 |
| GOOD MORNING AMERICA | 3.02 | 12 | 4,189 | 0.75 | 964 | 1.11 | 1,334 |
TODAY finished 1st across-the-board for the 10th time in the last 13 weeks
TODAY had its best two-week Winter Olympics advantages over GMA in P2+ and A25-54 since Vancouver 2010
TODAY averaged 1.614 million A25-54 viewers, leading GMA by +280,000 (+21%) and CBS This Morning by +729,000 (+82%)
- TODAY has now ranked #1 among A25-54 viewers for 113 consecutive weeks (best streak in over five years) and 129 of the last 130 weeks
- Best Olympics Week #2 demo advantage over GMA since 2010 in Vancouver
- Compared to the same week last season, TODAY was the only broadcast to post A25-54 viewer growth (+36,000, or +2%) while more than tripling its advantage over GMA and increasing its lead over CBS by 46%
- TODAY delivered a 1.34 A25-54 rating, +0.23 points ahead of GMA and +0.61 points more than CBS
TODAY averaged 1.217 million A18-49 viewers, +253,000 (+26%) more than GMA and +571,000 (+88%) higher than CBS
- Among A18-49 viewers, TODAY has now posted 133 consecutive weekly wins and has finished #1 in 139 of the last 141 weeks and 150 of the last 154 weeks
- Compared to the same week last season, TODAY’s A18-49 viewership was up +4% (+42,000) while more than tripling its lead over GMA and improving its advantage over CBS by 51%
- TODAY has now ranked #1 among A18-49 viewers for 92 consecutive daily broadcasts
- TODAY’s 0.94 A18-49 rating led GMA by +0.19 points and CBS by +0.44 points
TODAY averaged 4.389 million total viewers, outperforming GMA by +200,000 (+5%) and CBS This Morning by +1.015 million (+30%)
- TODAY ranked #1 among total viewers for the 10th time in the last 13 weeks (best streak in almost six years, April 2012)
- TODAY led CBS by at least one million viewers for the third consecutive week
- TODAY was the only morning program to post total viewer gains vs. the same week last season (up +143,000). TODAY improved its lead vs. CBS by 80% and posted a 567,000 viewer turnaround vs. GMA (+200,000 win vs. -367,000 loss prior year)
SEASON-TO-DATE
TODAY ranks #1 among A25-54 viewers
- Leads GMA by +194,000 and CBS by +612,000
TODAY ranks #1 among A18-49 viewers
- Leads GMA by +213,000 and CBS by +474,000
- TODAY’s A18-49 lead over GMA is up 1% vs. last season (+213,000 current vs. 210,000 last season)
TODAY ranks #1 among total viewers
- Leads GMA by +50,000; best STD P2+ margin vs. GMA since 2011-12
- Leads CBS by +771,000
NBCUNIVERSAL DOMINATES WITH MOST ROBUST WINTER GAMES PRESENTATION IN HISTORY
Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Broadcasting and Sports: “These Winter Games mark our fourth consecutive profitable Olympics.”
Winter Games Help Solidify NBC as Most-Watched Network for First Time Since 2002
NBC Olympics Averages Nearly 20 Million Primetime Viewers Over 18 Nights
Most Dominant Winter Games on Record – NBC-Only Primetime Viewership Beats Combined Broadcast Networks by 82%
Best Month EVER for NBCSN – Highest Viewership in History, Ranks As #1 Sports Cable Network
NBC Sports Digital Coverage Sets Winter Games Records with 2.17 Billion Total Streaming Minutes & 1.85 Billion Live Streaming Minutes
NBC Olympics’ “Prime Plus” Registers Largest Audience for Winter Games Late Night Show Since 1988 Calgary Olympics
NBC-Owned Stations and Affiliates, NBC News & NBC Entertainment Top the Competition throughout Winter Games
STAMFORD, Conn. – February 26, 2018 – NBC Olympics’ exclusive coverage of the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics was the most robust presentation of the Winter Games in media history…and NBCUniversal dominated the competition.
Among the highlights:
- NBCUniversal presented a record 2,400+ hours of Winter Games coverage.
- The PyeongChang Olympics helped solidify NBC’s rank as #1 in total viewers at any point during the TV season for the first time since it won the 2001-02 crown 16 years ago, according to Nielsen.
- NBC Olympics averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of nearly 20 million viewers in primetime over 18 nights, according to Nielsen and Adobe Analytics.
- NBC Olympics’ presentation of the PyeongChang Olympics ranks as the most dominant Winter Games on record.
- NBCSN hit major marks (details below).
- NBC Sports Digital set Winter Games records for total and live streaming minutes.
- Olympic coverage created major benefits for the NBCUniversal portfolio.
Mark Lazarus, Chairman of NBC Broadcasting and Sports: “These Winter Games are once again profitable for NBC Sports Group, and validate our investment in the Olympics. With the most comprehensive coverage plan in Winter Games history, our team of thousands took on this Olympic-sized undertaking from PyeongChang (2,000-plus), Stamford (1,000-plus), New York, Englewood Cliffs and Denver. The team’s collective performance allowed us to present an Olympics that was both engaging and memorable. At a time when there is more entertainment than ever for consumption, the Olympics offered an unmatched communal experience. We look forward to Tokyo and beyond.”
PYEONGCHANG OLYMPICS ARE MOST DOMINANT WINTER GAMES EVER IN PRIMETIME: From the opening night of coverage on Feb. 8, NBC Olympics produced the most dominant Winter Games on record. With a Total Audience Delivery of 19.8 million viewers – NBC Olympics’ primetime performance more than doubled the combined primetime viewership of ABC, CBS and FOX (9.8 million). NBC Olympics’ Total Audience Delivery measured broader PyeongChang Olympics consumption by calculating average minute viewing across broadcast, cable, and digital.
The NBC-only primetime average viewership of 17.8 million beat by 82% the average of the combined broadcast networks to rank as the most dominant Winter Games on record.
WINTER GAMES DOMINANCE, LAST 20 YEARS
| Winter Olympics | NBC-only viewership | TAD | ABC, CBS & FOX combined | Olympic Advantage | TADAdvantage |
| 2018 PyeongChang* | 17.8 million | 19.8 million | 9.8 million | 82% | 102% |
| 2014 Sochi | 21.3 million | -- | 14.9 million | 43% | N/A |
| 2010 Vancouver | 24.4 million | -- | 22.3 million | 9% | N/A |
| 2006 Torino | 20.2 million | -- | 32.8 million | -38% | N/A |
| 2002 Salt Lake | 31.9 million | -- | 23.9 million | 33% | N/A |
| 1998 Nagano** | 25.3 million | -- | 35.2 million | -22% | N/A |
*The 2018 PyeongChang Olympics is the first Winter Games where live primetime coverage was available side-by-side on broadcast, cable and via live stream.
**CBS televised Nagano, so advantage is over ABC, FOX & NBC combined.
(Note: Feb. 23-25 viewership for other broadcast networks based on affiliate time period metric.)
AMONG BROADCAST NETWORKS, NBC HAS...
- Ranked #1 on 74 consecutive Olympics nights.
- Exceeded the combined viewership of ABC, CBS & FOX on 35 consecutive Olympic nights.
- Won 438 consecutive Olympic half hours in primetime.
| Winter Olympics | # of Nights NBC Olympics Was Top-Rated Program |
| 2018 PyeongChang | 18 of 18 |
| 2014 Sochi | 18 of 18 |
| 2010 Vancouver | 14 of 17 |
| 2006 Torino | 8 of 17 |
NBCSN POSTS MILESTONE MONTH
- NBCSN posts most-watched month ever – With a Total Day viewership average of 768,000 viewers through Feb. 25 (based on all available data), NBCSN is on pace to deliver its most-watched month ever.
- #1 Sports Cable Network -- NBCSN is pacing to rank as the most-watched sports cable network in February in Total Day viewers.
- Two most-watched late-night shows in network history – With the thrilling U.S. women’s hockey team’s gold medal victory on Wednesday (2.9 million viewers) and the historic U.S. men’s curling gold medal win on Friday (1.6 million viewers), NBCSN delivered its two most-watched late-night shows ever.
“PRIME PLUS” IS MOST-WATCHED OLYMPICS LATE NIGHT SHOW IN 30 YEARS
- NBC Olympics’ “Prime Plus” late night show averaged a Total Audience Delivery of 8.4 million viewers – marking the most-watched Winter Olympics late night show in 30 years (1988 Calgary Olympics).
WINTER GAMES, VIEWERSHIP FOR LATE NIGHT SHOW
| Winter Olympics | Late Night Show Viewership |
| 2018 PyeongChang | 8.4 million* |
| 2014 Sochi | 5.6 million |
| 2010 Vancouver | 4.8 million |
| 2006 Torino | 5.0 million |
| 2002 Salt Lake | 6.7 million |
| 1998 Nagano | 3.5 million |
| 1994 Lillehammer | 6.2 million |
| 1992 Albertville | 8.0 million |
| 1988 Calgary | 9.9 million |
*Total Audience Delivery
NBC SPORTS DIGITAL DELIVERS BEST WINTER GAMES EVER: Powered by Playmaker Media, NBC Sports Digital live streamed every event of the PyeongChang Olympics via NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app, and presented the first-ever live stream of an Olympics Opening Ceremony. Among the highlights:
- NBC Sports Digital live streamed 1.85 billion minutes – more than four times the 420 million minutes for the Sochi Games.
- NBC Sports Digital’s total 2.17 billion streaming minutes more than tripled Sochi.
- On Sunday, Feb. 11, NBC Sports Digital set a single-day Winter Games record with 176.3 million live stream minutes.
- On Wednesday, Feb. 21, more than 525,000 uniques watched the live stream of the U.S.-Canada women’s gold medal game – which began after 11 p.m. ET – to rank as NBC Sports Digital’s fifth-largest hockey audience ever, beating all NHL, IIHF, and college hockey games, and trailing only four high-profile games from the Sochi Olympics in more favorable time periods.
RECORD COVERAGE FOR A WINTER GAMES: NBCUniversal platforms – NBC (176 hours), NBCSN (369), CNBC (46), USA Network (40.5) and NBCOlympics.com/NBC Sports app (1,800+) – offered the most in-depth coverage in Winter Olympics history, totaling 2,400+ hours.
RATINGS & VIEWERSHIP SUCCESS FOR NBC NEWS & AFFILIATE NEWS PROGRAMMING: NBC’s national news programming as well as local affiliate newscasts were the leaders in all dayparts. TODAY and NBC Nightly News were both onsite in PyeongChang throughout the Olympics.
- TODAY was the #1 ranked morning show for both weeks of the PyeongChang Olympics posting its best Winter Games advantage over GMA since Vancouver 2010. TODAY won outright – in total viewers, A25-54 and A18-49 – to mark its best winning record in nearly six years and continued to be the top morning news program across-the-board season-to-date.
- NBC Nightly News was the #1 evening news program for both weeks of the PyeongChang Olympics and continued its longest winning streak in over four years.
- Meet the Press was the #1 Sunday affairs program during the Winter Games and held its best lead over This Week and Face the Nation in six years among total viewers and its best lead over Face the Nation in key demo viewers in seven years.
- Local weekday newscasts on NBC-owned television stations and affiliate partners enjoyed household ratings increases compared to the prior four weeks. Household ratings for late local news jumped 56%, and local early morning news ratings increased 10%.
BIG LIFT FOR “A.P. BIO” FOLLOWING CLOSING CEREMONY: The post-Closing Ceremony episode of “A.P. Bio” has grown by +2.8 million viewers, or +89%, versus the show’s preview on Thursday, Feb. 1 (5.888 million viewers vs. 3.117 million at 9:31 p.m.) and +75% in adult 18-49 rating in 18-49 (1.4 vs. 0.8).
“TONIGHT SHOW” BOOST FOLLOWING OPENING CEREMONY: “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” following the Opening Ceremony delivered an 18% increase in total viewers versus the night of the Rio Opening Ceremony – averaging 4.662 million persons versus 3.943 million on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, during the Rio Games. In addition, it marked “Tonight’s” most-watched, regularly scheduled edition since Thursday, Nov. 26, 2015, and most-watched Friday telecast in three years, since Feb. 20, 2015.
NBC OLYMPICS’ MEDIA PARTNERS REACHED MILLIONS
- Snap’s content, which included Our Stories, daily Publisher Stories, two Shows, and the debut of its new Live feature that streamed the top moment of NBC Olympics’ broadcast coverage each day, reached more than 40 million unique users in the U.S., 90% under the age of 35.
- The NBC-Vox Media podcast partnership delivered nearly 500,000 downloads of “The Podium,” the daily Olympics podcast, and peaked as the #1 sports podcast and #3 overall podcast on iTunes.
- Peloton streamed four live rides from its cycling studio inside the NBC Olympics broadcast studio in PyeongChang, which have been taken over 136,000 times.
- The Uber app delivered tens of millions of impressions of custom-curated NBC Olympics content.
- Musical.ly, via its content creators in PyeongChang, delivered more than 25 million engagements around the Winter Games.
- GIPHY, which published NBC Olympics athlete GIFs, delivered 404 million total views.
- Mobile GIF search engine Tenor published NBC Olympics GIFs across its integrations with popular messaging apps, delivering 1.7 million GIF shares and 109 million total views.
- The Olympics on NBC garnered more than 273 million cross-channel engagements on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Tumblr, Google+ and Wikipedia.
- Across social channels, NBC Olympics delivered 241 million Total Video Views across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
- On Twitter, there have been 13.7M organic mentions of #PyeongChang2018, #Olympics, #NBCOlympics, #BestofUS, and #WinterOlympics, more than tripling Sochi.
- There have been 135M minutes of NBC Olympics video consumption across Facebook and YouTube.
Source: ListenFirst
TOTAL AUDIENCE DELIVERY PROVIDES DOUBLE DIGIT LIFT
NBC Olympics’ Total Audience Delivery provided an 11% lift over the NBC-only audience (chart below). The 2018 PyeongChang Olympics was the first Winter Games with live primetime side-by-side coverage on broadcast, cable and live streaming. The NBC-only 18 primetime nights of PyeongChang averaged 17.8 million viewers with a 10.1/18 household rating.
PRIMETIME TOTAL AUDIENCE DELIVERY FOR PYEONGCHANG OLYMPICS
| Date | Total Audience Delivery | NBC-only viewership | TAD Lift |
| Thur. 2/8 | 17.2 million | 16.0 million | 8% |
| Fri. 2/9* | 28.3 million | 27.8 million | 2% |
| Sat. 2/10 | 24.2 million | 21.4 million | 13% |
| Sun. 2/11 | 26.0 million | 22.7 million | 15% |
| Mon. 2/12 | 22.3 million | 20.3 million | 10% |
| Tues. 2/13 | 22.6 million | 20.5 million | 10% |
| Wed. 2/14 | 19.2 million | 17.0 million | 13% |
| Thur. 2/15 | 19.3 million | 16.2 million | 19% |
| Fri. 2/16 | 19.2 million | 16.6 million | 16% |
| Sat. 2/17 | 16.1 million | 14.5 million | 11% |
| Sun. 2/18 | 18.2 million | 16.3 million | 12% |
| Mon. 2/19 | 18.6 million | 16.3 million | 14% |
| Tues. 2/20 | 20.5 million | 17.5 million | 17% |
| Wed. 2/21 | 16.4 million | 14.1 million | 16% |
| Thur. 2/22 | 17.6 million | 15.2 million | 16% |
| Fri. 2/23 | 14.0 million | 12.9 million | 9% |
| Sat. 2/24 | 13.5 million | 11.7 million | 18% |
| Sun. 2/25* | 14.8 million | 14.8 million | -- |
| Average | 19.8 million | 17.8 million | 11% |
*Opening & Closing Ceremonies (no competition & no NBCSN side-by-side coverage)
WINTER OLYMPICS PRIMETIME TOTAL AUDIENCE DELIVERY
| PYC 2018 | Sochi 2014** | PYC 2018 | Sochi 2014** | |
| Day | Viewership | Viewership | HH Rating | HH Rating |
| Opening Thur. | 17.2 million | 20.0 million | 9.7 rating | 11.3 rating |
| First Fri.* | 28.3 million | 31.7 million | 14.9 rating | 17.0 rating |
| First Sat. | 24.2 million | 25.1 million | 13.1 rating | 13.9 rating |
| First Sun. | 26.0 million | 26.3 million | 14.2 rating | 14.4 rating |
| First Mon. | 22.3 million | 22.4 million | 12.7 rating | 12.8 rating |
| First Tues. | 22.6 million | 23.7 million | 13.0 rating | 13.7 rating |
| First Wed. | 19.2 million | 20.8 million | 11.2 rating | 12.1 rating |
| Mid. Thur. | 19.3 million | 22.9 million | 11.4 rating | 13.4 rating |
| Mid. Fri. | 19.2 million | 19.2 million | 10.9 rating | 11.0 rating |
| Mid. Sat. | 16.1 million | 17.1 million | 9.0 rating | 9.6 rating |
| Mid. Sun. | 18.2 million | 21.3 million | 10.2 rating | 12.1 rating |
| 2nd Mon. | 18.6 million | 23.5 million | 10.9 rating | 13.8 rating |
| 2nd Tues. | 20.5 million | 18.9 million | 12.1 rating | 11.2 rating |
| 2nd Wed. | 16.4 million | 20.2 million | 9.7 rating | 12.2 rating |
| Final Thur. | 17.6 million | 20.3 million | 10.4 rating | 12.2 rating |
| Final Fri. | 14.0 million | 14.9 million | 8.1 rating | 8.8 rating |
| Final Sat. | 13.5 million | 13.3 million | 7.7 rating | 7.8 rating |
| Final Sun.* | 14.8 million | 15.2 million | 8.4 rating | 8.7 rating |
| Average | 19.8 million | 21.3 million | 11.3 rating | 12.2 rating |
*Opening & Closing Ceremonies (no competition & no NBCSN side-by-side coverage)
**NOTE: The 2014 Sochi Olympics had no simultaneous live streaming and no competing primetime Olympic cable coverage. Both of those platforms are included in Total Audience Delivery for the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.
FINAL TOP 25 METERED MARKETS FOR NBC/NBCSN PRIMETIME (18-Day Average, Feb. 8-25):
| 1. Salt Lake City | 21.1/39 |
| 2. Denver | 20.2/36 |
| 3. Minneapolis | 17.5/32 |
| 4. Milwaukee | 17.1/28 |
| 5. San Diego | 17.0/32 |
| 6. Kansas City | 16.8/27 |
| 7. Seattle | 16.7/31 |
| T8. Portland | 16.5/30 |
| T8. Sacramento | 16.5/30 |
| 10. Austin | 15.8/28 |
| 11. West Palm Beach | 15.5/24 |
| 12. Buffalo | 15.1/24 |
| 13. Richmond | 14.7/23 |
| T14. Fort Myers | 14.5/23 |
| T14. Washington, D.C. | 14.5/26 |
| T16. Albuquerque | 14.3/23 |
| T16. St. Louis | 14.3/23 |
| 18. Columbus | 14.2/23 |
| 19. Los Angeles | 14.2/27 |
| 20. Dayton | 14.0/22 |
| 21. Las Vegas | 13.9/24 |
| 22. Pittsburgh | 13.8/22 |
| T23. Providence | 13.7/23 |
| T23. Tulsa | 13.7/20 |
| 25. Hartford | 13.1/21 |
Local metered market data represents NBC/NBCSN in primetime and includes the NBC West Coast encore and excludes sustainers.
ABOUT NBC OLYMPICS
A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s Olympic Games coverage. It is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history. NBCUniversal owns the U.S. media rights on all platforms to all Olympic Games through 2032.
“BEST FEB EVER” – NBCUNIVERSAL’S MOMENTOUS COVERAGE OF WINTER OLYMPICS & SUPER BOWL LEADS TO MONTH OF DOMINANCE & MILESTONES
Two Biggest Events on American TV on Networks of NBCUniversal – All in Unprecedented Three-Week Stretch
A New Standard of Dominance – Every Day, Every Hour NBC Olympics Primetime Coverage Dominated Broadcast Competition
Most-Watched Winter Olympics Late Night Show in a Generation
NBCSN Posts Best Month Ever & On Pace to Rank as #1 Sports Network in Total Day
STAMFORD, Conn. – February 24, 2018 – With NBC’s broadcast of the Closing Ceremony for the XXIII Olympic Winter Games tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, NBCUniversal will wrap up the Best Feb Ever – an unprecedented convergence of the two most anticipated and dominant events in American television that resulted in massive multiplatform consumption.
“While these Olympic Games will once again be profitable for NBC Sports Group, they also created major benefits for the rest of our portfolio, including NBC News, NBC Entertainment, Universal theme parks, our many cable networks, and our owned television stations and affiliate partners,” said Mark Lazarus, Chairman of NBC Broadcasting and Sports.
In this new age of media consumption, the Super Bowl and Winter Olympics propelled NBCUniversal to a new standard of dominance. NBCU’s average primetime television viewership for Super Bowl Sunday and Winter Games coverage (26.9 million viewers, through Thurs., Feb. 22) nearly tripled the combined total of the other broadcast networks (9.4 million for ABC, CBS and FOX).
On February 4, NBC televised the Philadelphia Eagles’ thrilling victory over the defending champion New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis. Just four days later, America’s sporting focus shifted more than 6,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean to the PyeongChang Olympics. Never before had one network televised both mega-events within days of each other.
Since Super Bowl Sunday, more than 229 million Americans tuned into the networks of NBCUniversal – far surpassing all other media companies. Millions more streamed the action live on NBCSports.com, NBCOlympics.com, and the NBC Sports app, while even more experienced the events on a multitude of social media platforms.
Best Feb Ever – February Firsts…
- First Time a Network Televised Super Bowl and Winter Olympics Four Days Apart
- Super Bowl Produced by Crew of NBC Sunday Night Football – Pacing to Be First Show in U.S. TV History to Rank #1 in Primetime For Seven Consecutive Years
- First Time NBCUniversal Broadcast Winter Games “Live Across” All Time Zones
- First Time NBCSN Televised Live Primetime Winter Olympics Coverage
- First Time NBC Sports Digital Live Streamed Primetime Winter Olympics Coverage
- First Time NBCUniversal Live Streamed an Olympics Opening Ceremony
- First Live NBC Olympics Stream on a non NBCU-owned Platform with Snapchat “Live”
- First Time NBCUniversal Presented More than 2,000 Hours of Live Winter Olympics Coverage – with 2,400+ hours, comparable to the coverage of the prior two Winter Games combined (Sochi; 1,600+) and Vancouver (835)
Best Feb Ever – Viewership Highlights…
- More than 229 million viewers have watched the networks of NBCUniversal since Super Bowl Sunday.
- NBC’s Super Bowl LII posted a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 118.2 million viewers – which will easily rank as year’s most-watched & most-dominant program, more than doubling the #2 show.
- NBC’s post-Super Bowl telecast of This is Us scored as the network’s most-watched scripted show in more than 13 years, and most-watched drama on any network in 10 years.
- PyeongChang Olympic viewership on NBC/NBCSN peaked at 29.7 million on the opening Sunday (Feb. 11) from 9:45-10 p.m. ET for the women’s free skate in the team event and women’s slopestyle snowboarding.
- The PyeongChang Olympics has delivered a Total Audience Delivery average of 20.6 million primetime viewers – a figure unmatched by any TV show (minimum three episodes) from Jan. 1 through the May end of the TV season in four years.
- NBCSN posts most-watched month ever – With a Total Day viewership average of 743,000 viewers through Feb. 22, NBCSN is on pace to deliver its most-watched month ever and ranks as the most-watched sports cable network in that span.
- NBC Olympics’ “Prime Plus” late night show is averaging a Total Audience Delivery of 8.4 million viewers – marking the most-watched Winter Olympics late night show in 30 years (1988 Calgary Olympics).
- NBC Sports Digital has delivered its second-best month ever for live streaming with 2.2 billion minutes, ranking behind only the Rio Olympics, which had three times more events (306 for Rio compared to 102 in PyeongChang).
- The U.S.-Canada women’s gold medal hockey game averaged a Total Audience Delivery of 3.7 million viewers, which included a live NBC simulcast of overtime and the shootout, as well as live streaming by NBC Sports Digital. The NBCSN-only telecast delivered 2.9 million viewers, which is the largest audience ever for the network in the 11 p.m.-2:15 a.m. ET late-night window
- More than 525,000 uniques watched the live stream of the U.S.-Canada women’s gold medal game to rank as NBC Sports Digital’s fifth-largest hockey audience ever, beating all NHL, IIHF, and college hockey games, and trailing only four high-profile games from the Sochi Olympics in more favorable time periods.
Best Feb Ever – Day-by-Day…
Sunday, Feb. 4 – Thrilling Super Bowl LII featured 74 points and the most yards in any game in NFL history (1,151). NBC Sports Digital’s live stream of Super Bowl LII ranks as the most live-streamed Super Bowl ever, delivering an Average Minute Audience (AMA) of 2.02 million viewers, with a peak of 3.1 million concurrent streams. The game is also NBC Sports Digital’s most-streamed single game ever.
Thursday, Feb. 8 – Debut of Mike Tirico as NBC’s primetime Olympics host on network’s first-ever live across all time zones Winter Games coverage, in addition to side-by-side presentation on NBCSN, and live streaming by NBC Sports Digital. NBC Olympics averaged Total Audience Delivery of 17.2 million viewers – most-watched Thursday night on any network in five months.
Friday, Feb. 9 – First-ever live stream of an Olympics Opening Ceremony by NBC Sports Digital. Hosted on NBC by Tirico and Katie Couric, Opening Ceremony averaged 28.3 million viewers – the most-watched Friday night show on any network in four years (and up 6% from Rio Opening Ceremony).
Saturday, Feb. 10 – NBCSN delivered its best-ever afternoon viewership in 2-5 p.m. ET window with average of 4.5 million viewers. NBC Sports Digital set a single-day Winter Games record with 176.3 million live stream minutes and 2.5 million uniques.
Sunday, Feb. 11 – The opening Sunday of the PyeongChang Olympics delivered the most dominant Winter Games Sunday night ever for NBC.
Monday, Feb. 12 – NBC delivered the most-dominant Monday night in the Sept.-May TV season by any broadcast network since the 1998 Academy Awards. Only five days into the PyeongChang Olympics, NBC Sports Digital established a Winter Games record with 445 million live streaming minutes.
Tuesday, Feb. 13 – NBC registered the most dominant Winter Games Tuesday night ever. NBC Sports Digital delivered its largest primetime PyeongChang viewership for a competition night, with an average minute audience of 321,000.
Wednesday, Feb. 14 – NBC posted the most dominant Winter Games Wednesday night in 24 years, since the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics where Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding competed against each other.
Thursday, Feb. 15 – NBC Olympics’ Total Audience Delivery average of 19.3 million viewers exceeded the prior Thursday in PyeongChang to rank as the most-watched Thursday night on any network in five months. NBCSN delivered its best primetime night of the Winter Games (2.75 million viewers). NBC Sports Digital eclipses 1 billion streaming minutes.
Friday, Feb. 16 – NBCSN completed the most-watched, seven-day primetime stretch in the network’s history with an average of 2.4 million viewers. NBCSN also ranked as the most-watched cable network in primetime over that span.
Saturday, Feb. 17 – Nearly 800,000 viewers tuned in to CNBC’s coverage of U.S-Canada women’s curling – ranking as the network’s best non-primetime delivery (5-8 p.m. ET) of the Winter Games.
Sunday, Feb. 18 – With 1.31 billion live streaming minutes via NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app, NBC Sports Digital more than tripled the total live minutes during Sochi.
Monday, Feb. 19 – The U.S. men’s hockey team’s 5-1 victory over Slovakia on NBCSN averaged 1.62 million viewers, to rank as NBCSN’s most-watched late-night (10 p.m. ET or later) hockey game in four years, and the second-most watched hockey game in the late time slot in NBCSN history.
Tuesday, Feb. 20 – Lindsey Vonn’s bronze medal performance propelled NBC Olympics’ primetime coverage to a Total Audience Delivery average of 20.5 million viewers – an increase of 8% over the second Tuesday of the 2014 Sochi Olympics. The NBC broadcast delivered the most dominant second Tuesday of Winter Games coverage ever (people meter history, since 1987).
Wednesday, Feb. 21 – NBC’s primetime PyeongChang Olympic telecast was by far the most-watched show of the night – marking the 70th consecutive night that an NBC Olympics presentation has topped primetime. Team USA’s thrilling shootout victory over Canada in the women’s hockey gold medal game on Wednesday ranks as the most watched late-night program in NBCSN history. In addition, the overtime and shootout were simulcast on NBC.
Thursday, Feb. 22 – NBC’s primetime telecast marked the 32nd consecutive night that an NBC Olympics presentation has outperformed the combined primetime performance of the other broadcast networks. NBC Sports Digital has streamed 1.69 billion live minutes of the PyeongChang Olympics – quadrupling the full 2014 Sochi Games (420 million) with three days remaining.
Friday, Feb. 23 – Through the Friday primetime telecast, NBC has won 429 consecutive half hours of primetime on Olympic nights. The historic U.S. men’s curling gold medal game, which started at 1:30 a.m. ET, delivered NBCSN’s second-best overnight rating ever for a late night program.
ABOUT NBC OLYMPICS
A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s Olympic Games coverage. It is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history. NBCUniversal owns the U.S. media rights on all platforms to all Olympic Games through 2032.
NBC TOPS OTHER BROADCAST NETWORKS COMBINED IN PRIMETIME FOR 32ND CONSECUTIVE OLYMPIC NIGHT
NBC Has Won 424 Consecutive Half Hours of Primetime on Olympic Nights
1.69 Billion Live Streaming Minutes for NBC Sports Digital -- Quadruples Sochi Streaming With 3 Days to Go
STAMFORD, Conn. – February 23, 2018 – NBC’s Thursday primetime PyeongChang Olympic telecast was by far the most watched show of the night – marking the 32nd consecutive night that an NBC Olympics presentation has outperformed the combined primetime performance of the other broadcast networks, according to fast national live plus same day data from Nielsen.
In addition, NBC has won 424 consecutive half hours of primetime on Olympic nights, dating back to Day 13 of the 2010 Vancouver Games.
Thursday night’s NBC/NBCSN average of 17.4 million viewers delivered a 67% advantage over the combined 10.4 million primetime viewers for ABC, CBS and FOX, while the NBC-only 15.2 million viewers in the 8:30-11 p.m. ET primetime window topped by 46% the other broadcast networks.
NBC SPORTS DIGITAL QUADRUPLES SOCHI STREAMING WITH 3 DAYS TO GO
NBC Sports Digital has streamed 1.69 billion live minutes of the PyeongChang Olympics – quadrupling the full 2014 Sochi Games (420 million) with three days remaining, according to data from Adobe Analytics. In addition, NBC Sports Digital has delivered 13.9 million uniques for live content – more than double this point in the Sochi Olympics (6.3 million).
NOTABLE…
- Last night’s NBC/NBCSN viewership peaked at 18.8 million viewers from 10:30-10:45 p.m. ET, for the women’s free skate.
- Last night’s Total Audience Delivery provided an increase of 16% over the NBC broadcast viewership (TAD chart below) – marking the 13th consecutive night of double-digit TAD lift. NBC Olympics’ Total Audience Delivery measures broader consumption by calculating average minute viewing across broadcast, cable, and digital. NBC Sports Digital delivered an average minute audience of 148,000 for Thursday night’s coverage.
- NBC’s PyeongChang Olympics primetime broadcast last night (8:30-11:15 p.m. ET) averaged 15.2 million viewers and posted a 9.0/16 household rating. Viewership includes the West Coast primetime encore.
PRIMETIME TOTAL AUDIENCE DELIVERY FOR PYEONGCHANG OLYMPICS
| Date | Total Audience Delivery | NBC-only viewership | TAD Lift |
| Thur. 2/8 | 17.2 million | 16.0 million | 8% |
| Fri. 2/9* | 28.3 million | 27.8 million | 2% |
| Sat. 2/10 | 24.2 million | 21.4 million | 13% |
| Sun. 2/11 | 26.0 million | 22.7 million | 15% |
| Mon. 2/12 | 22.3 million | 20.3 million | 10% |
| Tues. 2/13 | 22.6 million | 20.5 million | 10% |
| Wed. 2/14 | 19.2 million | 17.0 million | 13% |
| Thur. 2/15 | 19.3 million | 16.2 million | 19% |
| Fri. 2/16 | 19.2 million | 16.6 million | 16% |
| Sat. 2/17 | 16.1 million | 14.5 million | 11% |
| Sun. 2/18 | 18.2 million | 16.3 million | 12% |
| Mon. 2/19 | 18.6 million | 16.3 million | 14% |
| Tues. 2/20 | 20.5 million | 17.5 million | 17% |
| Wed. 2/21 | 16.4 million | 14.1 million | 16% |
| Thur. 2/22 | 17.6 million | 15.2 million | 16% |
| Average | 20.6 million | 18.3 million | 13% |
*Opening Ceremony (no competition & no NBCSN side-by-side coverage)
WINTER OLYMPICS PRIMETIME TOTAL AUDIENCE DELIVERY
| PYC 2018 | Sochi 2014** | PYC 2018 | Sochi 2014** | |
| Day | Viewership | Viewership | HH Rating | HH Rating |
| Opening Thur. | 17.2 million | 20.0 million | 9.7 rating | 11.3 rating |
| First Fri.* | 28.3 million | 31.7 million | 14.9 rating | 17.0 rating |
| First Sat. | 24.2 million | 25.1 million | 13.1 rating | 13.9 rating |
| First Sun. | 26.0 million | 26.3 million | 14.2 rating | 14.4 rating |
| First Mon. | 22.3 million | 22.4 million | 12.7 rating | 12.8 rating |
| First Tues. | 22.6 million | 23.7 million | 13.0 rating | 13.7 rating |
| First Wed. | 19.2 million | 20.8 million | 11.2 rating | 12.1 rating |
| Mid. Thur. | 19.3 million | 22.9 million | 11.4 rating | 13.4 rating |
| Mid. Fri. | 19.2 million | 19.2 million | 10.9 rating | 11.0 rating |
| Mid. Sat. | 16.1 million | 17.1 million | 9.0 rating | 9.6 rating |
| Mid. Sun. | 18.2 million | 21.3 million | 10.2 rating | 12.1 rating |
| 2nd Mon. | 18.6 million | 23.5 million | 10.9 rating | 13.8 rating |
| 2nd Tues. | 20.5 million | 18.9 million | 12.1 rating | 11.2 rating |
| 2nd Wed. | 16.4 million | 20.2 million | 9.7 rating | 12.2 rating |
| Final Thur. | 17.6 million | 20.3 million | 10.4 rating | 12.2 rating |
| Average | 20.6 million | 22.4 million | 11.7 rating | 12.8 rating |
*Opening Ceremony (no competition & no NBCSN side-by-side coverage)
**NOTE: The 2014 Sochi Olympics had no simultaneous live streaming and no competing primetime Olympic cable coverage. Both of those platforms are included in Total Audience Delivery for the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.
TOP 10 METERED MARKETS FOR NBC/NBCSN THURSDAY PRIMETIME:
| 1. Salt Lake City | 18.8/35 |
| 2. Kansas City | 17.6/28 |
| 3. Minneapolis | 17.3/31 |
| T4. Austin | 16.1/30 |
| T4. Denver | 16.1/30 |
| 6. Buffalo | 15.7/25 |
| 7. Sacramento | 15.0/26 |
| 8. Washington, D.C. | 14.9/27 |
| 9. San Diego | 14.3/27 |
| T10. Milwaukee | 14.2/24 |
| T10. Richmond | 14.2/22 |
Local metered market data represents NBC/NBCSN in primetime and includes the NBC West Coast encore and excludes sustainers.
ABOUT NBC OLYMPICS
A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s Olympic Games coverage. It is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history. NBCUniversal owns the U.S. media rights on all platforms to all Olympic Games through 2032.
LINDSEY VONN’S FINAL OLYMPIC DOWNHILL LEADS NBC OLYMPICS TO 8% INCREASE OVER COMPARABLE SOCHI OLYMPICS TELECAST
Tuesday Night Viewership Peaks at Nearly 24 Million for Women’s Alpine Skiing & Women’s Figure Skating Short Program
NBC Broadcast Marks Most Dominant 2nd Tuesday of Winter Games Coverage in People Meter History
Mikaela Shiffrin & Lindsey Vonn Compete in Women’s Super Combined Live Tonight at 8 p.m. ET on NBC
STAMFORD, Conn. – February 21, 2018 – Led by Lindsey Vonn’s bronze medal performance in her final Olympic downhill, Tuesday’s NBC Olympics’ primetime coverage delivered a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) average of 20.5 million viewers – an increase of 8% over the second Tuesday of the 2014 Sochi Olympics, according to live plus same day fast national data released today by Nielsen, and digital data from Adobe Analytics.
“To beat a comparable night from four years ago this late in the Olympics is a gravity-defying media achievement,” said Joe Brown, senior vice president of research for NBC Sports Group.
Last night’s NBC/NBCSN viewership peaked at 23.8 million viewers from 9:30-9:45 p.m. ET, for women’s alpine skiing on NBC and women’s figure skating short program on NBCSN.
Tuesday night’s NBC/NBCSN average of 20.1 million viewers dominated the TV competition – an 88% advantage over the combined 10.7 million primetime viewers for ABC, CBS and FOX. The NBC-only 17.6 million viewers in the 8-11 p.m. ET primetime window topped by 64% the other broadcast networks – marking the most dominant 2nd Tuesday of Winter Games coverage ever (people meter history, since Sept. 1987).
NOTABLE…
- Last night’s Total Audience Delivery provided an increase of 17% over the NBC broadcast viewership (TAD chart below) – marking the 11th consecutive night of double-digit TAD lift. NBC Olympics’ Total Audience Delivery measures broader consumption by calculating average minute viewing across broadcast, cable, and digital. NBC Sports Digital delivered an average minute audience of 221,000 for Monday night’s coverage.
- NBC’s PyeongChang Olympics primetime broadcast last night (8-11:03 p.m. ET) averaged 17.5 million viewers and posted a 10.3/18 household rating. Viewership includes the West Coast primetime encore.
PRIMETIME TOTAL AUDIENCE DELIVERY FOR PYEONGCHANG OLYMPICS
| Date | Total Audience Delivery | NBC-only viewership | TAD Lift |
| Thur. 2/8 | 17.2 million | 16.0 million | 8% |
| Fri. 2/9* | 28.3 million | 27.8 million | 2% |
| Sat. 2/10 | 24.2 million | 21.4 million | 13% |
| Sun. 2/11 | 26.0 million | 22.7 million | 15% |
| Mon. 2/12 | 22.3 million | 20.3 million | 10% |
| Tues. 2/13 | 22.6 million | 20.5 million | 10% |
| Wed. 2/14 | 19.2 million | 17.0 million | 13% |
| Thurs. 2/15 | 19.3 million | 16.2 million | 19% |
| Fri. 2/16 | 19.2 million | 16.6 million | 16% |
| Sat. 2/17 | 16.1 million | 14.5 million | 11% |
| Sun. 2/18 | 18.2 million | 16.3 million | 12% |
| Mon. 2/19 | 18.6 million | 16.3 million | 14% |
| Tues. 2/20 | 20.5 million | 17.5 million | 17% |
| Average | 21.1 million | 18.8 million | 12% |
*Opening Ceremony (no competition & no NBCSN side-by-side coverage)
WINTER OLYMPICS PRIMETIME TOTAL AUDIENCE DELIVERY
| PYC 2018 | Sochi 2014** | PYC 2018 | Sochi 2014** | |
| Day | Viewership | Viewership | HH Rating | HH Rating |
| Opening Thurs. | 17.2 million | 20.0 million | 9.7 rating | 11.3 rating |
| First Fri.* | 28.3 million | 31.7 million | 14.9 rating | 17.0 rating |
| First Sat. | 24.2 million | 25.1 million | 13.1 rating | 13.9 rating |
| First Sun. | 26.0 million | 26.3 million | 14.2 rating | 14.4 rating |
| First Mon. | 22.3 million | 22.4 million | 12.7 rating | 12.8 rating |
| First Tues. | 22.6 million | 23.7 million | 13.0 rating | 13.7 rating |
| First Wed. | 19.2 million | 20.8 million | 11.2 rating | 12.1 rating |
| Mid. Thurs. | 19.3 million | 22.9 million | 11.4 rating | 13.4 rating |
| Mid. Fri. | 19.2 million | 19.2 million | 10.9 rating | 11.0 rating |
| Mid. Sat. | 16.1 million | 17.1 million | 9.0 rating | 9.6 rating |
| Mid. Sun. | 18.2 million | 21.3 million | 10.2 rating | 12.1 rating |
| 2nd Mon. | 18.6 million | 23.5 million | 10.9 rating | 13.8 rating |
| 2nd Tues. | 20.5 million | 18.9 million | 12.1 rating | 11.2 rating |
| Average | 21.1 million | 22.7 million | 11.9 rating | 12.9 rating |
*Opening Ceremony (no competition & no NBCSN side-by-side coverage)
**NOTE: The 2014 Sochi Olympics had no simultaneous live streaming and no competing primetime Olympic cable coverage. Both of those platforms are included in Total Audience Delivery for the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.
TOP 10 METERED MARKETS FOR NBC/NBCSN TUESDAY PRIMETIME:
| 1. Denver | 21.5/37 |
| 2. Minneapolis | 21.1/37 |
| 3. Salt Lake City | 20.9/38 |
| 4. Kansas City | 20.1/30 |
| 5. Buffalo | 18.6/29 |
| 6. Sacramento | 18.5/32 |
| 7. Austin | 18.0/30 |
| 8. San Diego | 17.8/32 |
| 9. Milwaukee | 17.2/28 |
| 10. Portland | 17.1/29 |
Local metered market data represents NBC/NBCSN in primetime and includes the NBC West Coast encore and excludes sustainers.
ABOUT NBC OLYMPICS
A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s Olympic Games coverage. It is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history. NBCUniversal owns the U.S. media rights on all platforms to all Olympic Games through 2032.
NBC SCORES THE MOST DOMINANT PRIMETIME WIN DURING A REGULAR-SEASON NON-SUPER BOWL WEEK FOR ANY NETWORK IN PEOPLE METER HISTORY
With 7 Nights of Primetime Olympics Coverage From PyeongChang Accounting for the Top 7 Broadcast Shows of the Week in Every Key Measure, NBC Tops the Combined Big 4 Competition by +89% in Total Viewers and +139% in 18-49
NBC Ranks #1 for the Season in Every Key Measure, Including Total Viewers, for the First Time Since 2001-02
Season to Date, NBC Rules the Adult 18-49 Race by a +53% Margin, the Biggest Advantage for Any Network at This Point in the Season in the 30-Year History of Nielsen’s Current People Meter Sample
On Feb. 12, NBC Posts the Most Dominant Regular-Season Monday Win For Any Broadcast Net in 20 Years, Since the 1998 Academy Awards Featuring “Titanic” As Best Picture
Feb. 13 Coverage Generates the Most Dominant Winter Games Tuesday in People Meter History
On Feb. 14, NBC’s Primetime Olympics Coverage Scores the Most Dominant Winter Games Wednesday Since Nancy & Tonya in 1994
NBC’s Feb. 15 Telecast Produces the Most Dominant Winter Games Thursday Since Sarah Hughes Won Figure Skating Gold & Bode Miller Won Giant Slalom Silver in 2002
Friday’s PyeongChang Coverage Wins the Night Across the Board
Saturday Night’s Olympic Telecast Quadruples the Combined Big 4 Competition in 18-49
Sunday’s Primetime Coverage Generates a TAD Audience of 18.2 Million
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — Feb. 21, 2018 — NBC’s coverage of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics has led the network to the most dominant in-season non-Super Bowl week versus the combined Big 4 competition for any network in the history of Nielsen’s current People Meter sample.
With the seven nights of Olympics coverage accounting for the week’s top seven primetime programs on the broadcast networks in every key ratings measure, NBC averaged a 4.3 rating and 17.6 million viewers overall for the week of Feb. 12-18, according to “live plus same day” viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research,.
NBC beat the ABC-CBS-Fox competition for the week in total viewers by +89% (17.6 million vs. a combined 9.3 million), for the biggest in-season win versus that combined competition during a non-Super Bowl week in the 30-year history of Nielsen’s current people meter sample.
In 18-49, NBC’s +139% margin (4.3 vs. a combined 1.8) was also the biggest advantage over the Big 4 competition for an in-season non-Super Bowl week in the history of people meters, which date back to September 1987.
In adults 18-49, NBC is dominating the current primetime season, with leads over #2 Fox of +0.9 of a rating point or +53% (2.6 vs. 1.7). The +53% advantage is the best for any #1 network at this point in the season in the 30-year history of Nielsen’s current people-meter sample.
Season to date, NBC is also running #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in every other key ratings measure, including total viewers, for the first time since 2001-02.
Counting entertainment programming only, NBC leads the season in adults 18-49, and also ranks #1 among the Big 4 in adults 25-54, adults 18-34, men 18-49 (tie) and all key adult-female demos.
Weekly ratings are “live plus same day” figures from Nielsen Media Research unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date ratings are averages of “live plus seven day” data except for the two most recent weeks, which are “live plus same day.”
Week 21 Averages
Adult 18-49 Rating, “live plus same day,” Feb. 12-18
NBC…4.3
ABC…0.7
CBS…0.7
Fox…0.4
CW…0.3
Total Viewers
NBC…17.6 million
CBS…4.5 million
ABC…3.2 million
Fox…1.6 million
CW…0.9 million
Season-to-Date Averages
Adult 18-49 Rating, “Most Current”
NBC…2.6
Fox…1.7
CBS…1.6
ABC…1.4
CW…0.6
Total Viewers
NBC…10.0 million
CBS…9.2 million
ABC…5.8 million
Fox…5.7 million
CW…1.8 million
NBC highlights for the week of Feb. 12-18:
Monday
Feb. 12 primetime Olympics coverage posted a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) average of 22.3 million viewers. With an NBC-only average of 20.9 million viewers from 8-11 p.m. ET, the network topped by +87% the combined primetime viewership of ABC, CBS and FOX (11.2 million viewers), which represent the most-dominant Monday night in the regular September-to-May season by any broadcast network since the 1998 Academy Awards, which featured “Titanic” as best picture. For a third consecutive night, Total Audience Delivery represented a double digit lift (10%) over the NBC broadcast viewership (22.3 million vs. 20.3 million for Monday’s full duration). On the night, 17-year old American Chloe Kim’s won the halfpipe gold medal, viewership on NBC/NBCSN peaked at 26.9 million viewers from 9:15-9:30 p.m. ET as Kim made her final run.
Tuesday
Feb. 13 primetime Olympics coverage posted a TAD average of 22.6 million viewers, including 22.3 million viewers on NBC and NBCSN. That dominated the TV competition, more than doubling the combined 10.6 million primetime viewers for ABC, CBS and Fox. The NBC-only 21.0 million viewers in the 8-11 p.m. ET primetime window topped by 98% the other broadcast networks, making this the most dominant Winter Games Tuesday in people meter history (since Sept. 1987). For a fourth consecutive night, the Total Audience Delivery provided an increase of 10% or more 22.6 million vs. 20.5 million on NBC from 8-11:20 p.m.).
Wednesday
Feb. 14 Olympics coverage delivered the most dominant Winter Games Wednesday night in 24 years, since the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics, posting a TAD average of 19.2 million viewers, as well as an NBC/NBCSN average of 18.9 million viewers, which nearly doubled the combined 9.6 million primetime viewers for ABC, CBS and Fox. The NBC-only 17.2 million viewers in the 8-11 p.m. ET primetime window topped by +79% the other broadcast networks, making this the most dominant Winter Games Wednesday night since February 23, 1994 -- the first time that Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding competed against each other after Kerrigan was attacked a month earlier following a practice session at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Detroit.
Thursday
Feb. 15 coverage of the PyeongChang Olympics delivered the most dominant Winter Games Thursday night since the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics, with a TAD average of 19.3 million viewers, best for a Thursday show on any network since NBC’s NFL Kickoff Game on Sept. 7, 2017 (22.2 million viewers for Chiefs-Patriots), and an NBC-only 16.2 million viewers in the 8-11 p.m. ET primetime window that topped by 57% ABC, CBS and Fox, for the most dominant Winter Games Thursday night since February 21, 2002 during the Salt Lake City Games when Sarah Hughes won a gold medal in figure skating, Bode Miller won a silver in the men’s giant slalom and Canada topped the U.S. 3-2 in the women’s hockey gold medal game.
Friday
NBC’s Feb. 16 primetime Olympics coverage averaged a 3.8 rating in 18-49 and 16.6 million viewers overall to win the night in every key ratings measure.Friday’s NBC Olympics’ primetime coverage delivered a TAD average of 19.2 million viewers, while NBC and NBCSN teamed up to average 18.9 million viewers, which more than douobled the combined 8.1 million primetime viewers for ABC, CBS and Fox.
Saturday
NBC’s Feb. 17 primetime Olympics coverage averaged a 3.5 in 18-49 and 14.5 million viewers overall, to beat the combined ABC-CBS-Fox competition by +160% in total viewers (14.5 million vs. a combined 8.9 million) and to more than quadruple that combined competition in 18-49 (3.5 vs. 0.8).
Sunday
Sunday primetime Olympic coverage delivered a TAD average of 18.2 million viewers, while the NBC/NBCSN average was 18.0 million viewers, which dominated the Big 4 competition with an advantage of 82% over the combined 9.9 million primetime viewers for ABC, CBS and Fox. NBC Sports Digital delivered an average minute audience of 170,000 for Sunday night’s coverage. The Feb. 18 TAD provided an increase of +12% over the NBC’s broadcast viewership, marking the ninth consecutive night of double-digit TAD lift. NBC-only Sunday Olympics coverage (7:30-11:10 p.m. ET) averaged 16.3 million viewers.
‘TODAY’ TAKES RATINGS GOLD, WINS ACROSS THE BOARD FIRST WEEK OF OLYMPICS
TODAY Delivers Best First-Week Winter Games Advantage Over GMA Since Vancouver 2010
TODAY Continues Across-The-Board Winning Streak for the Ninth Time in 12 Weeks
TODAY is the Only Morning News Broadcast to Post Year-Over-Year Growth in Total Viewers, A25-54 and A18-49
PYEONGCHANG – February 21, 2018 – NBC News’ TODAY continues its ratings streak as the top morning news broadcast across the board during week one from PyeongChang, South Korea. Co-anchored by Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, TODAY’s first week of the Winter Games had its best advantage over GMA in eight years in both total viewers and the key A25-54 demo. TODAY has now won outright – in total viewers, the A25-54 and A18-49 – for nine out of the last 12 weeks, marking its best record in nearly six years, and continues to win across the board season-to-date. Additionally, TODAY was the only morning program to post year-over-year growth in both total viewers, the key demo, which it has consecutively won for 112 weeks, and A18-49.
TODAY HIGHLIGHTS:
| Net | HH Rtg | HH Shr | P2+ Imps | P18-49 Rtg | P18-49 Imps | P25-54 Rtg | P25-54 Imps |
| TODAY | 3.35 | 14 | 4,618 | 0.99 | 1,277 | 1.42 | 1,720 |
| CBS THIS MORNING | 2.46 | 10 | 3,402 | 0.54 | 697 | 0.77 | 934 |
| GOOD MORNING AMERICA | 3.03 | 12 | 4,180 | 0.78 | 1,008 | 1.15 | 1,391 |
Biggest A25-54 win over GMA since 2016 Presidential Election Week
For the season-to-date, TODAY is #1 across P2+, A25-54, & A18-49 viewers
TODAY averaged 1.722 million A25-54 viewers, leading GMA by +329,000 (+24%) and CBS This Morning by +786,000 (+84%)
- TODAY has now ranked #1 among A25-54 viewers for 112 consecutive weeks (best streak in over five years) and 128 of the last 129 weeks
- TODAY had its widest A25-54 advantage over GMA since the week of the 2016 Presidential election (11/7/2016)
- Best Olympics Week #1 demo advantage over GMA since 2010 in Vancouver
- Week-over-week, TODAY’s demo advantages were 8% higher vs. GMA and 11% better vs. CBS
- Compared to the same week last season, TODAY was the only broadcast to post demo growth (+56,000) while seeing higher advantages over the competition: 57% higher vs. GMA and 43% higher vs. CBS
- TODAY delivered a 1.42 A25-54 rating, +0.27 points ahead of GMA and +0.65 points more than CBS
TODAY averaged 1.277 million A18-49 viewers, +269,000 (+27%) more than GMA and +580,000 (+83%) higher than CBS
- Among A18-49 viewers, TODAY has now posted 132 consecutive weekly wins and has finished #1 in 138 of the last 140 weeks and 149 of the last 153 weeks
- Week-over-week, TODAY increased its A18-49 advantage over CBS (by 8%) to the highest since the week of 12/11/2017
- Compared to the same week last season, TODAY A18-49 viewership was up +4% (+53,000) while nearly doubling its lead over GMA (98% higher) and improving its advantage over CBS by 49%
- TODAY has now ranked #1 among A18-49 viewers for 88 consecutive daily broadcasts
- TODAY’s 0.99 A18-49 rating led GMA by +0.21 points and CBS by +0.45 points
TODAY averaged 4.618 million total viewers, outperforming GMA by +438,000 (+11%) and CBS This Morning by +1.216 million (+36%)
- TODAY ranked #1 among total viewers for the ninth time in the last 12 weeks (best streak in almost six years, April 2012)
- TODAY posted its widest advantages over the competition since the week of 11/27/2017
- Best Olympics Week #1 total viewer advantage over GMA since 2010 in Vancouver
- Week-over-week, TODAY improved leads over the competition: 62% higher vs. GMA and 19% higher vs. CBS
- TODAY was the only morning program to post total viewer growth vs. the same week last season (up +320,000) while more than doubling its lead vs. CBS (up 135%) and posting a 777,000 viewer turnaround vs. GMA (+438,000 win vs. -339,000 loss prior year)
SEASON-TO-DATE
TODAY ranks #1 among A25-54 viewers
- Leads GMA by +190,000 and CBS by +606,000
TODAY ranks #1 among A18-49 viewers
- Leads GMA by +211,000 and CBS by +470,000
TODAY ranks #1 among total viewers
- Leads GMA by +44,000; best STD P2+ margin vs. GMA since 2011-12.
- Leads CBS by +760,000
LESTER HOLT IS #1 FOR FIRST WEEK OF OLYMPICS
Longest Demo Streak in Four and a Half Years, Continues to Win Despite Airing at 3:30 p.m. PT on the West Coast
Delivers Highest Year-Over-Year Growth in Key Demo
FEBRUARY 21, 2018 – “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt” is the #1 most-watched evening broadcast in the key news demo for the week of February 12, according to Nielsen Media Research data.
The network program, anchored by Holt last week live from PyeongChang, South Korea for special Olympics coverage, continues its winning streak despite airing hours earlier than normal in 25 percent of the country. West Coast viewers are getting the show at 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time and 4:30 p.m. Mountain Time during the entirety of the Winter Games.
Last week, “Nightly News” featured breaking news on the Florida school shooting and the latest Mueller indictment as well as the stories on the ground from PyeongChang.
The broadcast was the #1 most-watched with the audience most valued by news advertisers, averaging 2.138 million A25-54 viewers and beating “ABC World News Tonight” by +184,000 viewers (nine percent) and “CBS Evening News” by +715,000 viewers (+50 percent). This marks the program’s longest winning streak in the key demo in four and a half years (since July 2013).
For 87 consecutive weeks, “Nightly News” is the most-watched among A18-49 viewers, averaging 1.571 million and topping ABC by +232,000 viewers (+17 percent) and CBS by +625,000 viewers (+66 percent).
8.445 million total viewers tuned in to “Nightly News” for the week of February 19, besting “CBS Evening News” by +1.781 million total viewers (+27 percent).
“Nightly News” continues as the #1 most-watched evening newscast season-to-date in the key demo, delivering its largest demo lead CBS in seven years (since 2010-2011). The broadcast also continues to dominate its competition on social media with the most followers on Facebook.
# # #
SALT LAKE CITY, DENVER, MILWAUKEE, SEATTLE, KANSAS CITY & SAN DIEGO TOP NBC OLYMPICS’ PRIMETIME RATINGS AT MIDPOINT OF PYEONGCHANG OLYMPICS
STAMFORD, Conn. – February 18, 2018 – At the midpoint of the PyeongChang Olympics, Salt Lake City leads U.S. TV markets in primetime rating, with a 22.6 local Nielsen rating across NBC and NBCSN. Salt Lake City is also averaging a 41 share, meaning that 41% of the homes in the market with a television in use at the time are tuned into NBC Olympics coverage (not including digital).
Following Salt Lake City with the highest local ratings are Denver, Milwaukee, Seattle, Kansas City and San Diego (full top 20 chart below).
Top 20 Markets for NBC Olympics’ Primetime Coverage – Local Nielsen Rating (Thurs., Feb 8-Sat., Feb. 17)
| 1. Salt Lake City | 22.6/41 |
| 2. Denver | 22.1/40 |
| 3. Milwaukee | 18.8/30 |
| 4. Seattle | 18.7/35 |
| T5. Kansas City | 18.4/30 |
| T5. San Diego | 18.4/35 |
| 7. Minneapolis | 18.2/34 |
| 8. Portland | 18.1/34 |
| 9. Sacramento | 18.0/33 |
| 10. Austin | 16.8/30 |
| 11. West Palm Beach | 16.6/26 |
| 12. Buffalo | 16.0/25 |
| 13. Washington, D.C. | 15.9/29 |
| 14. Richmond | 15.7/24 |
| T15. Fort Myers | 15.6/25 |
| T15. St. Louis | 15.6/25 |
| 17. Los Angeles | 15.5/29 |
| T18. Albuquerque | 15.4/25 |
| T18. Columbus | 15.4/24 |
| T20. Las Vegas | 15.0/26 |
| T20. Pittsburgh | 15.0/24 |
Local metered market data represents NBC/NBCSN in primetime and includes the NBC West Coast encore and excludes sustainers.
ABOUT NBC OLYMPICS
A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s Olympic Games coverage. It is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history. NBCUniversal owns the U.S. media rights on all platforms to all Olympic Games through 2032.
NBC OLYMPICS’ PYEONGCHANG COVERAGE DELIVERED MOST DOMINANT WINTER GAMES THURSDAY NIGHT SINCE SARAH HUGHES WON GOLD & BODE MILLER TOOK SILVER IN 2002
Last Night’s Total Audience Delivery of 19.3 Million Viewers Marks Best Thursday Primetime Audience on Any Network since September
More than 1 BILLION MINUTES of PyeongChang Olympics Content Streamed via NBC Sports Digital
STAMFORD, Conn. – February 16, 2018 – NBC Olympics’ coverage of the PyeongChang Olympics delivered the most dominant Winter Games Thursday night since the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics, posting a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) average of 19.3 million viewers, according to live plus same day official data released today by Nielsen, and digital data from Adobe Analytics.
Last night’s Total Audience Delivery average of 19.3 million viewers also ranks as the best for a Thursday night show on any network since NBC’s NFL Kickoff Game on Sept. 7, 2017 (22.2 million viewers for Chiefs-Patriots).
The NBC/NBCSN average last night of 18.9 million viewers dominated the TV competition with an 83% advantage over the combined 10.3 million primetime viewers for ABC, CBS and FOX.
The NBC-only 16.2 million viewers in the 8-11 p.m. ET primetime window topped by 57% the other broadcast networks – marking the most dominant Winter Games Thursday night since February 21, 2002. That Salt Lake Olympics primetime telecast featured Sarah Hughes’ gold-medal winning performance in figure skating, a silver medal for Bode Miller in the men’s giant slalom, and the women’s hockey gold medal game (Canada topped the U.S. 3-2).
NBCSN DELIVERS BEST PRIMETIME AUDIENCE OF WINTER GAMES
- NBCSN posted its best primetime night of the Winter Games with an average of 2.75 million viewers. Live coverage featured the entire field in the men’s short program figure skating
MORE THAN 1 BILLION STREAMING MINUTES FOR NBC SPORTS DIGITAL
- Viewers have consumed 1.1 billion total streaming minutes (979 million live) of NBC Sports Digital’s PyeongChang coverage – nearly 5 times the 243 million streaming minutes for the 2014 Sochi Olympics through the middle Thursday.
- NBC Sports Digital delivered an average minute audience of 243,000 for Wednesday night’s coverage.
NOTABLE…
- Last night’s Total Audience Delivery provided an increase of 19% over the NBC broadcast viewership (TAD chart below) – marking the sixth consecutive night of double-digit TAD lift. NBC Olympics’ Total Audience Delivery measures broader consumption by calculating average minute viewing across broadcast, cable, and digital.
- Last night’s NBC/NBCSN viewership peaked at 20.1 million viewers from 9:30-9:45 p.m. ET, highlighted by men’s alpine skiing on NBC and men’s short program figure skating on NBCSN.
- NBC’s PyeongChang Olympics full primetime broadcast last night (8-11 p.m. ET) averaged 16.2 million viewers and posted a 9.6/18 household rating. Viewership includes the West Coast primetime encore.
PRIMETIME TOTAL AUDIENCE DELIVERY FOR PYEONGCHANG OLYMPICS
| Date | Total Audience Delivery | NBC-only viewership | TAD Lift |
| Thur. 2/8 | 17.2 million | 16.0 million | 8% |
| Fri. 2/9* | 28.3 million | 27.8 million | 2% |
| Sat. 2/10 | 24.2 million | 21.4 million | 13% |
| Sun. 2/11 | 26.0 million | 22.7 million | 15% |
| Mon. 2/12 | 22.3 million | 20.3 million | 10% |
| Tues. 2/13 | 22.6 million | 20.5 million | 10% |
| Wed. 2/14 | 19.2 million | 17.0 million | 13% |
| Thurs. 2/15 | 19.3 million | 16.2 million | 19% |
| Average | 22.6 million | 20.4 million | 11% |
*Opening Ceremony (no competition & no NBCSN side-by-side coverage)
WINTER OLYMPICS PRIMETIME TOTAL AUDIENCE DELIVERY
| PYC 2018 | Sochi 2014** | PYC 2018 | Sochi 2014** | |
| Day | Viewership | Viewership | HH Rating | HH Rating |
| Opening Thurs. | 17.2 million | 20.0 million | 9.7 rating | 11.3 rating |
| First Fri.* | 28.3 million | 31.7 million | 14.9 rating | 17.0 rating |
| First Sat. | 24.2 million | 25.1 million | 13.1 rating | 13.9 rating |
| First Sun. | 26.0 million | 26.3 million | 14.2 rating | 14.4 rating |
| First Mon. | 22.3 million | 22.4 million | 12.7 rating | 12.8 rating |
| First Tues. | 22.6 million | 23.7 million | 13.0 rating | 13.7 rating |
| First Wed. | 19.2 million | 20.8 million | 11.2 rating | 12.1 rating |
| Mid. Thurs. | 19.3 million | 22.9 million | 11.4 rating | 13.4 rating |
| Average | 22.6 million | 24.3 million | 12.6 rating | 13.7 rating |
*Opening Ceremony (no competition & no NBCSN side-by-side coverage)
**NOTE: The 2014 Sochi Olympics had no simultaneous live streaming and no competing primetime Olympic cable coverage. Both of those platforms are included in Total Audience Delivery for the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.
TOP 10 METERED MARKETS FOR NBC/NBCSN THURSDAY PRIMETIME:
| 1. Denver | 22.0/39 |
| 2. Salt Lake City | 21.0/38 |
| 3. Kansas City | 18.2/30 |
| 4. Milwaukee | 17.9/28 |
| 5. Minneapolis | 17.6/32 |
| 6. Austin | 16.6/30 |
| T7. Sacramento | 16.5/30 |
| T7. Washington, D.C. | 16.5/29 |
| 9. Providence | 16.4/28 |
| 10. Seattle | 16.3/30 |
Local metered market data represents NBC/NBCSN in primetime and includes the NBC West Coast encore and excludes sustainers.
ABOUT NBC OLYMPICS
A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s Olympic Games coverage. It is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history. NBCUniversal owns the U.S. media rights on all platforms to all Olympic Games through 2032.
NBC OLYMPICS’ PYEONGCHANG COVERAGE DELIVERED MOST DOMINANT WINTER GAMES WEDNESDAY NIGHT SINCE NANCY & TONYA IN 1994
“Primetime Plus” Viewership Pacing as Most Watched Winter Olympics Late Night Show On Record; Up 34% from Sochi
After 8 Days, NBC Sports Digital More Than Doubles Live Streaming For Full 2014 Sochi Olympics
STAMFORD, Conn. – February 15, 2018 – NBC Olympics’ coverage of the PyeongChang Olympics delivered the most dominant Winter Games Wednesday night in 24 years, since the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics, posting a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) average of 19.2 million viewers, according to live plus same day officially data released today by Nielsen, and digital data from Adobe Analytics.
Last night’s NBC/NBCSN average of 18.9 million viewers dominated the TV competition – nearly doubling the combined 9.6 million primetime viewers for ABC, CBS and FOX.
The NBC-only 17.2 million viewers in the 8-11 p.m. ET primetime window topped by 79% the other broadcast networks – marking the most dominant Winter Games Wednesday night since February 23, 1994. That February day in Lillehammer, Norway, was the first time that Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding competed against each other after Kerrigan was attacked a month earlier following a practice session at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Detroit.
“PRIMETIME PLUS” MOST WATCHED WINTER GAMES LATE NIGHT SHOW ON RECORD
- NBC’s “Primetime Plus” show, which follows local news broadcasts on NBC stations and also features live NBCSN coverage, is averaging a Total Audience Delivery of 9.4 million viewers though Wednesday night – ranking as the most-watched Winter Games late night show on record to this point (people meter history, since 1987). The PyeongChang “Primetime Plus” viewership is up 34% over the comparable time frame for the 2014 Sochi Games (7.0 million).
NBC SPORTS DIGITAL MORE THAN DOUBLES FULL SOCHI GAMES IN LIVE MINUTES STREAMED
- Only eight days into the PyeongChang Olympics, NBC Sports Digital has streamed 862 million live minutes of coverage – more than doubling the 420 million live streaming minutes for the full 2014 Sochi Olympics.
- NBC Sports Digital delivered an average minute audience of 237,000 for Wednesday night’s coverage.
ADDITIONALLY…
- For the fifth consecutive night, the Total Audience Delivery provided an increase of at least 10% over the NBC broadcast viewership (TAD chart below). NBC Olympics’ Total Audience Delivery measures broader consumption by calculating average minute viewing across broadcast, cable, and digital.
- Last night’s NBC/NBCSN viewership peaked at 21.1 million viewers from 9:30-9:45 p.m. ET, highlighted by men’s alpine skiing on NBC and pairs free figure skating on NBCSN.
- NBC’s PyeongChang Olympics full broadcast last night (8-11:14 p.m. ET) averaged 17.0 million viewers and posted a 9.9/19 household rating. Viewership includes the West Coast primetime encore.
PRIMETIME TOTAL AUDIENCE DELIVERY FOR PYEONGCHANG OLYMPICS
| Date | Total Audience Delivery | NBC-only viewership | TAD Lift |
| Thur. 2/8 | 17.2 million | 16.0 million | 8% |
| Fri. 2/9* | 28.3 million | 27.8 million | 2% |
| Sat. 2/10 | 24.2 million | 21.4 million | 13% |
| Sun. 2/11 | 26.0 million | 22.7 million | 15% |
| Mon. 2/12 | 22.3 million | 20.3 million | 10% |
| Tues. 2/13 | 22.6 million | 20.5 million | 10% |
| Wed. 2/14 | 19.2 million | 17.0 million | 13% |
| Average | 23.0 million | 20.9 million | 10% |
*Opening Ceremony (no competition & no NBCSN side-by-side coverage)
WINTER OLYMPICS PRIMETIME TOTAL AUDIENCE DELIVERY
| PYC 2018 | Sochi 2014** | PYC 2018 | Sochi 2014** | |
| Day | Viewership | Viewership | HH Rating | HH Rating |
| Opening Thurs. | 17.2 million | 20.0 million | 9.7 rating | 11.3 rating |
| First Fri.* | 28.3 million | 31.7 million | 14.9 rating | 17.0 rating |
| First Sat. | 24.2 million | 25.1 million | 13.1 rating | 13.9 rating |
| First Sun. | 26.0 million | 26.3 million | 14.2 rating | 14.4 rating |
| First Mon. | 22.3 million | 22.4 million | 12.7 rating | 12.8 rating |
| First Tues. | 22.6 million | 23.7 million | 13.0 rating | 13.7 rating |
| First Wed. | 19.2 million | 20.8 million | 11.2 rating | 12.1 rating |
| Average | 23.0 million | 24.5 million | 12.8 rating | 13.7 rating |
*Opening Ceremony (no competition & no NBCSN side-by-side coverage)
**NOTE: The 2014 Sochi Olympics had no simultaneous live streaming and no competing primetime Olympic cable coverage. Both of those platforms are included in Total Audience Delivery for the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.
TOP 10 METERED MARKETS FOR NBC/NBCSN WEDNESDAY PRIMETIME:
| 1. Denver | 20.7/38 |
| 2. Minneapolis | 18.4/35 |
| 3. Salt Lake City | 18.3/34 |
| 4. Seattle | 17.3/33 |
| T5. Milwaukee | 16.6/29 |
| T5. Sacramento | 16.6/31 |
| 7. Kansas City | 16.5/27 |
| T8. Buffalo | 16.4/26 |
| T8. West Palm Beach | 16.4/25 |
| 10. Washington, D.C. | 16.0/29 |
Local metered market data represents NBC/NBCSN in primetime and includes the NBC West Coast encore and excludes sustainers.
ABOUT NBC OLYMPICS
A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s Olympic Games coverage. It is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history. NBCUniversal owns the U.S. media rights on all platforms to all Olympic Games through 2032.
NBC OLYMPICS’ PYEONGCHANG COVERAGE DELIVERED MOST DOMINANT WINTER GAMES TUESDAY NIGHT EVER, WITH TAD OF 22.6 MILLION VIEWERS
With First-Ever Nightly Winter Games Coverage, NBCSN Ranks as #1 Primetime Cable Network from Saturday through Tuesday
NBC “Primetime Plus” Viewership up 32% From Sochi Late Night Show
NBC Sports Digital Delivers Largest Primetime Audience for PyeongChang Competition to Date
STAMFORD, Conn. – February 14, 2018 – NBC Olympics’ coverage of the PyeongChang Olympics delivered the most dominant Winter Games Tuesday night ever, posting a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) average of 22.6 million viewers, according to live plus same day official national data released today by Nielsen, and digital data from Adobe Analytics. (Nielsen “out of home” viewership will be available this week.)
Last night’s NBC/NBCSN average of 22.3 million viewers dominated the TV competition – more than doubling the combined 10.6 million primetime viewers for ABC, CBS and FOX. The NBC-only 21.0 million viewers in the 8-11 p.m. ET primetime window topped by 98% the other broadcast networks – marking the most dominant Winter Games Tuesday night ever (people meter history, since Sept. 1987).
NBCSN RANKS #1; NBC “PRIMETIME PLUS” UP 32% FROM SOCHI LATE NIGHT
- NBCSN’s live primetime coverage of the PyeongChang Olympics has averaged 2.4 million viewers since the opening Saturday night (Feb. 10) – ranking as the most-watched cable network in primetime over the four-day span from Saturday through last night.
- In addition, NBC’s “Primetime Plus” show, which follows local news broadcasts on NBC stations, is averaging a Total Audience Delivery of 9.8 million viewers though Tuesday night – up 32% from the 2014 Sochi Olympics late night show over the comparable time frame (7.4 million viewers).
NBC SPORTS DIGITAL POSTS LARGEST PRIMETIME PYEONGCHANG AUDIENCE
- NBC Sports Digital delivered its largest primetime PyeongChang viewership for a competition night, with an average minute audience of 321,000 for Tuesday night’s coverage.
- Last night’s coverage of Shaun White’s gold-medal performance in the halfpipe delivered 445,000 concurrents – ranking as the second-most streamed event in NBC Olympics' Winter Games history, behind only the USA-Canada semi-final men's hockey game in Sochi.
ADDITIONALLY…
- For the fourth consecutive night, the Total Audience Delivery provided an increase of at least 10% over the NBC broadcast viewership (TAD chart below). NBC Olympics’ Total Audience Delivery measures broader consumption by calculating average minute viewing across broadcast, cable, and digital.
- Last night’s NBC/NBCSN viewership peaked at 28.2 million viewers from 10-10:15 p.m. ET, highlighted by Shaun White’s gold medal run in the halfpipe and the pairs short program figure skating.
- NBC’s PyeongChang Olympics full broadcast last night (8-11:20 p.m. ET) averaged 20.5 million viewers and posted an 11.8/21 household rating. Viewership includes the West Coast primetime encore.
TOTAL AUDIENCE DELIVERY FOR PYEONGCHANG OLYMPICS
| Date | Total Audience Delivery | NBC-only viewership | TAD Lift |
| Thur. 2/8 | 17.2 million | 16.0 million | 8% |
| Fri. 2/9* | 28.3 million | 27.8 million | 2% |
| Sat. 2/10 | 24.2 million | 21.4 million | 13% |
| Sun. 2/11 | 26.0 million | 22.7 million | 15% |
| Mon. 2/12 | 22.3 million | 20.3 million | 10% |
| Tues. 2/13 | 22.6 million | 20.5 million | 10% |
| Average | 23.6 million | 21.5 million | 10% |
*Opening Ceremony (no competition & no NBCSN side-by-side coverage)
WINTER OLYMPICS TOTAL AUDIENCE DELIVERY
| PYC 2018 | Sochi 2014** | PYC 2018 | Sochi 2014** | |
| Day | Viewership | Viewership | HH Rating | HH Rating |
| Opening Thurs. | 17.2 million | 20.0 million | 9.7 rating | 11.3 rating |
| First Fri.* | 28.3 million | 31.7 million | 14.9 rating | 17.0 rating |
| First Sat. | 24.2 million | 25.1 million | 13.1 rating | 13.9 rating |
| First Sun. | 26.0 million | 26.3 million | 14.2 rating | 14.4 rating |
| First Mon. | 22.3 million | 22.4 million | 12.7 rating | 12.8 rating |
| First Tues. | 22.6 million | 23.7 million | 13.0 rating | 13.7 rating |
| Average | 23.6 million | 25.1 million | 13.1 rating | 14.0 rating |
*Opening Ceremony (no competition & no NBCSN side-by-side coverage)
**NOTE: The 2014 Sochi Olympics had no simultaneous live streaming and no competing primetime Olympic cable coverage. Both of those platforms are included in Total Audience Delivery for the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.
TOP 10 METERED MARKETS FOR NBC/NBCSN TUESDAY PRIMETIME:
| 1. Salt Lake City | 24.8/46 |
| 2. Denver | 23.7/42 |
| 3. Kansas City | 22.0/35 |
| 4. Minneapolis | 21.0/38 |
| 5. Milwaukee | 20.9/33 |
| 6. Seattle | 20.1/36 |
| 7. San Diego | 18.7/35 |
| 8. Richmond | 18.5/27 |
| 9. Portland | 18.1/34 |
| 10. Austin | 17.8/31 |
Local metered market data represents NBC/NBCSN in primetime and includes the NBC West Coast encore and excludes sustainers.
ABOUT NBC OLYMPICS
A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s Olympic Games coverage. It is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history. NBCUniversal owns the U.S. media rights on all platforms to all Olympic Games through 2032.
HALF OF ALL U.S. TELEVISION HOUSEHOLDS HAVE WATCHED THE PYEONGCHANG OLYMPICS ON THE NETWORKS OF NBCUNIVERSAL, WITH 110 MILLION TV VIEWERS TUNING IN
Third Consecutive Night of Double Digit Total Audience Delivery Boost Results in TAD of 22.3 Million Viewers for Monday Night Coverage
NBC Posts Most Dominant Monday Night in Sept.-May TV Season by Any Broadcast Net Since ’98 Academy Awards, Featuring “Titanic” As Best Picture
NBC/NBCSN Viewership Peaked at Nearly 27 Million Viewers during Chloe Kim’s Final Run as She Won Halfpipe Gold Medal
STAMFORD, Conn. – February 13, 2018 – Half of U.S. television homes and more than one-third of the country’s population have watched the PyeongChang Olympics on the television networks of NBCUniversal, according to fast cume data provided by Nielsen. Through Sunday, 109.6 million viewers (in 59 million homes) have watched the Winter Games on NBCUniversal networks NBC, NBCSN, CNBC and USA (does not include digital).
Last night’s primetime coverage posted a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) average of 22.3 million viewers, according to live plus same day fast national data released today by Nielsen, and digital data from Adobe Analytics. (Nielsen “out of home” viewership will be available this week.)
VIEWERSHIP DOMINANCE
- With an NBC-only average of 20.9 million viewers from 8-11 p.m. ET, NBC topped by 87% the combined primetime viewership of ABC, CBS and FOX (11.2 million viewers) -- marking the most-dominant Monday night in the Sept.-May TV season by any broadcast network since the 1998 Academy Awards, which featured Titanic as Best Picture.
- Last night’s coverage was highlighted by 17-year old American Chloe Kim’s halfpipe gold medal, with viewership on NBC/NBCSN peaking at 26.9 million viewers from 9:15-9:30 p.m. ET as she made her final run.
NBC SPORTS DIGITAL TRENDING UP ON UNIQUE DEVICES
- Six days into the PyeongChang Olympics, NBC Sports Digital’s presentation has been accessed by 6.6 million unique devices – pacing ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics (6.0 million through the comparable date) and more than tripling the 2014 Sochi Olympics (1.8 million at this point). NBC Sports Digital delivered an average minute audience of 283,000 for last night’s primetime coverage.
ADDITIONALLY…
- For the third consecutive night, the Total Audience Delivery provided a double digit lift (10%) over the NBC broadcast viewership (TAD chart below). NBC Olympics’ Total Audience Delivery measures broader consumption by calculating average minute viewing across broadcast, cable, and digital.
- NBC’s PyeongChang Olympics full broadcast last night (8-11:24 p.m. ET) averaged 20.3 million viewers and posted an 11.5/21 household rating. Viewership includes the West Coast primetime encore.
- Helped by the Olympics lead in, NBCSN’s Chelsea-West Brom match yesterday averaged 605,000 viewers – the network’s second-best weekday 3 p.m. ET Premier League viewership on record (711,000 for Arsenal-Manchester United, Feb. 12, 2014)
TOTAL AUDIENCE DELIVERY FOR PYEONGCHANG OLYMPIC COMPETITION
| Date | Total Audience Delivery | NBC-only viewership | TAD Lift |
| Thur. 2/8 | 17.2 million | 16.0 million | 8% |
| Sat. 2/10 | 24.2 million | 21.4 million | 13% |
| Sun. 2/11 | 26.0 million | 22.7 million | 15% |
| Mon. 2/12 | 22.3 million | 20.3 million | 10% |
OLYMPIC COMPETITION TOTAL AUDIENCE DELIVERY
| PYC 2018 | Sochi 2014** | PYC 2018 | Sochi 2014** | |
| Day | Viewership | Viewership | HH Rating | HH Rating |
| Opening Thurs. | 17.2 million | 20.0 million | 9.7 rating | 11.3 rating |
| First Sat. | 24.2 million | 25.1 million | 13.1 rating | 13.9 rating |
| First Sun. | 26.0 million | 26.3 million | 14.2 rating | 14.4 rating |
| First Mon. | 22.3 million | 22.4 million | 12.7 rating | 12.8 rating |
**NOTE: The 2014 Sochi Olympics had no simultaneous live streaming and no competing primetime Olympic cable coverage. Both of those platforms are included in Total Audience Delivery for the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.
TOP 10 METERED MARKETS FOR NBC/NBCSN MONDAY PRIMETIME:
| 1. Denver | 25.7/43 |
| 2. Salt Lake City | 23.0/39 |
| 3. Kansas City | 21.1/32 |
| 4. Milwaukee | 20.2/32 |
| 5. Minneapolis | 19.6/35 |
| 6. Portland | 18.6/33 |
| T7. Seattle | 17.9/32 |
| T7. Sacramento | 17.9/31 |
| T7. San Diego | 17.9/31 |
| 10. Austin | 17.8/31 |
ABOUT NBC OLYMPICS
A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s Olympic Games coverage. It is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history. NBCUniversal owns the U.S. media rights on all platforms to all Olympic Games through 2032.
NBC SWEEPS THE PRIMETIME WEEK OF FEB. 5-11 WITH THE START OF THE OLYMPICS & ACROSS-THE-BOARD ENTERTAINMENT-SERIES GROWTH
In Total Viewers, It’s the Most Dominant In-Season Week Vs. the Combined Big 4 Competition, Excluding Super Bowl & Full Seven-Night Olympic Weeks, for Any Net in People Meter History
The Opening Four Nights of the PyeongChang Olympics, “This Is Us” & “Game of Games” Team Up to Account for 6 of the Week’s Top 7 Shows in 18-49
“Chicago Med,” “The Wall,” “SVU,” “Chicago P.D.” & “Better Late Than Never” Also Rank Among the Top 25 Primetime Big 4 Shows of the Week
All Eight NBC Regular Series That Aired Between the Super Bowl & Olympics Grew Vs. Their Prior Regular Telecasts in Total Viewers
NBC Ranks #1 for the Season in Total Viewers for the First Time Since 2001-02
Season to Date, NBC Rules the Adult 18-49 Race by a +39% Margin, the Biggest Advantage for Any Network at This Point in the Season in the 30-Year History of Nielsen’s Current People Meter Sample
Monday’s “The Wall" Builds by +36% Week to Week to Its High Since February 2017; "Better Late" Grows+22% to Its Season High
Tuesday’s Regular All Grow and Sweep the Night’s Half-Hours in 18-49; “This Is Us” Matches Its Regular-Slot High Since November, “Chicago Med” Equals Its High Since March 2017 and “Game of Games” Scores a Three-Week High
L+3: “This Is Us” Delivers the Biggest 18-49 L+3 Lifts of the Night in 18-49 and Total Viewers
NBC Wins Wednesday in Total Viewers With the Most-Watched Regular-Slot "Chicago P.D." in Nearly Two Years and a +21% Week-to-Week Jump for "SVU"
NBC’s Feb. 8 Olympics Coverage Generates the Biggest Thursday Primetime Audience on any Network Since September
Feb. 9 Coverage of the Opening Ceremony Delivers the Most Dominant Friday Win Over the Combined Big 4 Competition in People Meter History
Saturday’s Olympics Coverage Tops the Opening Saturday of Rio in TAD With 24.2 Million Viewers
The Opening Sunday in PyeongChang Delivers the Most Dominant Winter Games Sunday Night Ever for NBC Olympics, With a TAD Viewership of 26 Million
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — Feb. 13, 2018 — With PyeongChang Olympics coverage, “This Is Us” and “Ellen’s Game of Games” accounting for six of the week’s top seven primetime programs on the broadcast networks in adults 18-49, NBC has won the ratings week of Feb. 5-11 in adults 18-49 and total viewers by historic margins, according to “live plus same day” figures from Nielsen Media Research.
NBC’s +27% margin over the combined Big 4 competition for the week in total viewers (with 15.816 million vs. a combined 12.436 million) is the biggest in-season win for any network, excluding Super Bowl weeks and full seven-night Olympic weeks, in people meter history. NBC’s +185% margin over #2 CBS (15.816 million vs. 5.545 million) is NBC’s biggest in-season advantage in people-meter history, excluding Super Bowl and full Olympic weeks.
In adults 18-49, the week also saw biggest in-season margins for NBC over both the combined Big 4 competition (+33%, 3.6 vs. a combined 2.7) and the #2 network (+260%, 3.6 vs. ABC’s 1.0) in people meter history, which dates back to September 1987
Between Sunday’s Super Bowl and Thursday’s start of Olympics coverage, all eight NBC regular series generated growth in total viewers versus their prior regular telecasts:
- “The Wall” +25% or +1.3 million persons (6.748 million vs. 5.415 million) to a new season high.
- “Better Late Than Never” +11% (5.305 million vs. 4.781 million).
- “Ellen’s Game of Games” +2% (7.702 million vs. 7.582 million).
- “This Is Us” +7% (10.131 million vs. 9.480 million).
- “Chicago Med” +7% (7.362 million vs. 6.849 million).
- “The Blacklist” +4% (6.351 million vs. 6.105 million).
- “SVU” +21% or +1.2 million persons (6.641 million vs. 5.484 million).
- “Chicago P.D.” +7% (7.248 million vs. 6.719 million) to its most-watched regular-slot telecast since February 2016.
PyeongChang coverage accounted for the top four telecasts of the week on the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, total viewers and every other key measure. Those four telecasts were joined among the Top 25 primetime shows on the Big 4 by “This Is Us” (#5), “Ellen’s Game of Games” (#7), “Chicago Med” and “The Wall” (tied for #12), “Law & Order: SVU” (tied for #16), “Chicago P.D.” (tied for #18) and “Better Late Than Never” (tied for #23).
Through 20 weeks of the season, NBC has claimed the primetime 2017-18 season-to-date lead among total viewers, marking the first time NBC has ranked #1 in total viewers at any point during the season since it won the 2001-02 crown 16 years ago.
In adults 18-49, NBC is dominating the current primetime season, with leads over #2 Fox of +0.7 of a rating point or +39% (2.5 vs. 1.8). The +39% advantage is the best for any #1 network at this point in the season in the 30-year history of Nielsen’s current people-meter sample.
Season to date, NBC is also running #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in every other key ratings measure. Counting entertainment programming only, NBC leads the season in adults 18-49, and also ranks #1 or tied for #1 among the Big 4 in adults 25-54, adults 18-34, men 18-49 and all key adult-female demos.
Weekly ratings are “live plus same day” figures from Nielsen Media Research unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date ratings are averages of “live plus seven day” data except for the two most recent weeks, which are “live plus same day.”
Week 20 Averages
Adult 18-49 Rating, “live plus same day,” Feb. 5-11
NBC…3.6
ABC…1.0
CBS…0.9
Fox…0.8
CW…0.4
Total Viewers
NBC…15.8 million
CBS…5.5 million
ABC…4.0 million
Fox…2.9 million
CW…1.4 million
Season-to-Date Averages
Adult 18-49 Rating, “Most Current”
NBC…2.5
Fox…1.8
CBS…1.7
ABC…1.4
CW…0.6
Total Viewers
NBC…9.6 million
CBS…9.4 million
ABC…5.9 million
Fox…5.9 million
CW…1.8 million
NBC highlights for the week of Feb. 5-11:
Monday
The season finale of “The Wall” (1.5/6 in 18-49, 6.7 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) achieved season highs in 18-49 and total viewers, with the show’s top 18-49 rating since Feb. 7, 2017 (1.5 Tuesday at 8 p.m.) and most-watched episode since Jan. 10, 2017 (7.0 million Tuesday at 8 p.m.). “The Wall” jumped +36% week to week in 18-49 (1.5 vs. 1.1) and +1.3 million persons or +25% in total viewers (6.7 million vs. 5.4 million). Upscale: “The Wall” delivers a solid upscale audience, indexing at a 107 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (with 100 representing an average concentration of those homes).
The season finale of “Better Late Than Never” (1.1/4 in 18-49, 5.3 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) delivered a season high in 18-49, growing +22% week to week in 18-49 (1.1 vs. 0.9) and +11% in total viewers (5.3 million vs. 4.8 million). “Better Late” ranked #2 in the timeslot in total viewers and tied for #2 in 18-49. L+3: “Better Late Than Never” grew by +19% in 18-49 (1.07 to 1.27) and +897,000 viewers overall (5.3 million to 6.2 million) going from L+SD to L+3.
The NBC Sports special “The Best of U.S. -- The 2018 Winter Olympics” averaged a0.6/2 in 18-49 and 2.5 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET.
Tuesday
NBC won the night among the Big 4 in adults 18-49 and every other key demographic, sweeping six of six half-hours in adults 18-49. It’s NBC’s 14th consecutive Tuesday win in adults 18-49 among the Big 4 networks.
“Ellen’s Game of Games” (1.9/7 in 18-49, 7.7 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) ranked as the #2 show of the night in 18-49, behind only NBC’s “This Is Us.” “Games” hit three-week highs in 18-49 and total viewers, best since Jan. 16 (2.2 in 18-49, 8.8 million viewers overall) and grew from half-hour to half-hour in every key ratings measure, including a gain of +18% in adults 18-49 (1.7 to 2.0) and +23% in adults 25-54 (2.2 to 2.7). L+3: “Games” grew by +11% in 18-49 (1.87 to 2.07) and +744,000 viewers overall (7.7 million to 8.4 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: “Ellen’s Game of Games” has increased by +21% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.99 to a 2.40) and +1.3 million viewers overall (8.1 million to 9.4 million).
“This Is Us” (2.7/10 in 18-49, 10.1 million viewers overall from 9-10:01 p.m. ET) ranked as the #1 show of the night on the Big 4 in 18-49, growing +8% versus its prior Tuesday telecast in 18-49 (2.7 vs. 2.5 on Jan. 23) and +7% in total viewers (10.1 million vs. 9.5 million) to equal the show’s highest regular-slot 18-49 rating since its fall finale on Nov. 28 (2.8) and deliver its most-watched Tuesday episode since that same Nov. 28 telecast (10.9 million). “This Is Us” won the timeslot in every key demographic, including a +125% margin in 18-49 (2.7 vs. 1.2 for “Bull”).
L+3: “This Is Us” increased by +61% in 18-49 (2.69 to 4.34) and +4.6 million viewers overall (10.1 million to 14.7 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens, for the biggest L+3 lifts of the night in 18-49 rating and percentage, as well as total viewers. L+7: “This Is Us” is growing by +83% in 18-49 rating (from a 2.76 to a 5.06) and +6.3 million viewers overall (10.3 million to 16.6 million) going from L+SD to L+7. When projected 35-day non-linear viewing is included, the “Us” 18-49 rating increases to an 8.33. Upscale: “Us” is generating a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 145 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes.
“Chicago Med” (1.5/6 in 18-49, 7.4 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) equaled the show’s 18-49 high since March 2, 2017 (1.7 Thursday at 9 p.m.) and tied “NCIS” as the #3 show of the night on the Big 4 in adults 18-49, behind only “This Is Us” and “Ellen’s Game of Games.” “Med” was up by +15% versus its prior telecast in 18-49 (1.5 vs. 1.3 on Jan. 23) and +7% in total viewers (7.4 million vs. 6.8 million) and won the slot among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and every other key demographic, with a +67% margin of victory in adults 18-49 (1.5 vs. 0.9 for CBS’ #2 “NCIS: New Orleans”). L+3: “Med” grew by +51% in 18-49 (1.46 to 2.20) and more than +3.2 million viewers overall (7.4 million to 10.6 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: “Med” is increasing by +71% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.30 to a 2.22) and more than +3.9 million viewers overall (6.9 million to 10.9 million). When projected 35-day non-linear viewing is included, the “Med” 18-49 rating increases to a 2.88.
Wednesday
NBC won the night in total viewers, its fifth victory in six Wednesdays when NBC has aired original programming. In 18-49. NBC also finished within 0.1 of a point of the Wednesday win.
“The Blacklist” (1.0/4 in 18-49, 6.4 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) maintained 100% week to week in 18-49 (1.0 vs. 1.0) and grew +4% in total viewers (6.351 million vs. 6.105 million, to finish #2 in the hour in 18-49 and total viewers. L+3: “Blacklist” increased by +49% in 18-49 (1.04 to 1.55) and more than +2.2 million viewers overall (6.4 million to 8.6 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: “Blacklist” is growing by +72% in 18-49 rating this season going from L+SD to L+7 (0.97 to a 1.67) and more than +3.0 million viewers overall (5.8 million to 8.8 million). Upscale: “Blacklist” delivers a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 127 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (with 100 representing an average concentration of those homes).
“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (1.3/5 in 18-49, 6.6 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) won the competitive hour in total viewers and ranked #2 in 18-49, while soaring +21% or more than +1.1 million persons week to week in total viewers (6.6 million vs. 5.5 million) to top result since Nov. 29, 2017, and growing +8% in 18-49 (1.3 vs. 1.2). L+3: “SVU” grew +61% in 18-49 (1.30 to 2.09) and +2.5 million viewers overall (6.6 million to 9.1 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. The +0.79 lift in 18-49 is “SVU’s” biggest of the season. L+7: “SVU” has grown by +73% this season in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.30 to a 2.25) and more than +2.9 million viewers overall (5.9 million to 8.9 million). When projected 35-day non-linear viewing is included, the “SVU” 18-49 rating increases to a 3.43.
“Chicago P.D.” (1.2/5 in 18-49, 7.2 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) delivered its most-watched regular-slot episode in nearly two years (since Feb. 17, 2016, 7.451 million), increasing by +7% week to week in total viewers (7.2 million vs. 6.7 million) and maintaining 100% in 18-49 (1.2 vs. 1.2). “P.D.” won the time period among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and total viewers, and ranked #1 or tied for #1 among those nets in every other key measure, and has now won the slot or tied for #1 versus regular ABC and CBS competition with its last 30 straight original telecasts in adults 18-49 (L+SD), extending back to October 2016. L+3: “P.D.” grew by +62% in 18-49 (1.24 to 2.01) and more than +3.3 million viewers overall (7.2 million to 10.2 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens, for the biggest L+3 lift of the night in total viewers. L+7: “Chicago P.D.” is increasing by +87% in 18-49 rating this season going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.20 to a 2.24) and +4.1 million viewers overall (6.3 million to 10.4 million). With the addition of projected 35-day non-linear ratings, the “P.D.” figure grows to a 2.88.
Thursday
NBC Olympics’ primetime coverage of Thursday’s 2018 PyeongChang Olympics competition posted a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) average of 17.2 million viewers to rank as the most-watched Thursday night program on any network in five months, according to live plus same day official data released today by Nielsen, and digital data from Adobe Analytics.
Thursday night’s presentation was highlighted by the debut of NBC’s first-ever live across all time zones Winter Games coverage, as well as unprecedented live side-by-side Winter Olympics coverage on NBCSN, and live streaming of both networks via NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app.
Thursday’s Total Audience Delivery average of 17.2 million viewers was the best for a Thursday night show on any network since NBC’s NFL Kickoff Game on Sept. 7, 2017 (22.2 million viewers for Chiefs-Patriots). NBC Olympics’ Total Audience Delivery measures broader PyeongChang Olympics consumption by calculating average minute viewing across broadcast, cable, and digital. Viewership includes West Coast primetime.
Viewership on NBC/NBCSN peaked at 19.3 million from 9-9:15 p.m. ET, which featured Nathan Chen’s performance in the figure skating team event. Thursday night’s NBC/NBCSN viewership (17.1 million) exceeded by 20% the combined viewership of ABC, CBS and FOX for the night (14.3 million).
Friday
NBC’s Feb. 9 coverage of the Opening Ceremony for the PyeongChang Olympics posted a Total Audience Delivery average of 28.3 million viewers to rank as the most-watched Friday night program on any network since the 2014 Sochi Olympics. NBC’s 14.7/27 primetime household rating for the Opening Ceremony outperformed by 167% the combined rating of ABC, CBS and Fox for the night (5.5), to rank as the most-dominant Friday in People Meter History (Sept.-May TV season, since Sept. 1987).
The NBC television viewership of 27.8 million for the Opening Ceremony marks the largest audience on a Friday night in four years, a stretch that included four Friday World Series games, two NBA Finals games, three nights of 2016 Rio Olympics coverage, and two nights of the Sochi Olympics.
The 8-11:02 p.m. ET broadcast delivered the largest audience for a Friday night on any network since NBC’s presentation of the 2014 Sochi Olympics Opening Ceremony (31.7 million viewers, Feb. 7, 2014). In addition, Friday’s Total Audience Delivery topped by 6% the 2016 Rio Opening Ceremony (26.7 million TAD). NBC Olympics’ Total Audience Delivery measures broader consumption by calculating average minute viewing across broadcast, cable, and digital.
Saturday
NBC Olympics’ primetime coverage of Saturday’s 2018 PyeongChang Olympics competition posted a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) average of 24.2 million viewers, topping the opening Saturday of the 2016 Rio Olympics (23.5 million). Saturday’s NBC/NBCSN average of 23.9 million viewers dominated the competition – nearly quadrupling the combined 6.1 million primetime viewers for ABC, CBS and Fox.
The night’s Total Audience Delivery marks the best Saturday primetime viewership for any program in February in four years — since the opening Saturday of the 2014 Sochi Games (25.1 million viewers on NBC, Feb. 8, 2014).
Feb. 10 viewership on NBC/NBCSN peaked at 25.7 million viewers from 9:45-10 p.m. ET, highlighted by American Red Gerard’s gold medal performance in slopestyle. Saturday’s NBC primetime coverage also featured ice dance and women’s short program in the figure skating team competition. NBCSN presented women’s skiathlon, men’s ski jumping, and women’s biathlon in primetime.
Sunday
The opening Sunday of the PyeongChang Olympics delivered the most dominant Winter Games Sunday night ever for NBC Olympics, as primetime coverage posted a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) average of 26.0 million viewers. Sunday’s NBC/NBCSN average of 25.7 million viewers dominated the TV competition – nearly tripling the combined 9.5 million primetime viewers for ABC, CBS and Fox.
The largest NBCSN evening viewership in nearly three years and the night’s record-setting NBC Sports Digital consumption led to Sunday record +15% TAD lift over the NBC broadcast viewership (from 22.7 million to 26.0 million). Previously, the largest lift was +14% on the opening Saturday of the 2016 Rio Olympics.
‘TODAY’ WINS ACROSS THE BOARD EVERY DAY LAST WEEK
TODAY is #1 in Total Viewers and Key Demos Every Day Last Week Before Heading to the Olympics
TODAY Is #1 Across the Board in total viewers, A25-54 and A18-49 Season to Date
TODAY Tops GMA in Key Demo for 111 Straight Weeks, Its Best Demo Streak in More Than 5 Years
TODAY Wins A18-49 Demo for 131 Consecutive Weeks
NEW YORK – February 13, 2018 –NBC News’ TODAY is the number-one morning show outright for both season to date and last week, ahead of the Olympics, in total viewers, the key A25-54 demo and A18-49. TODAY won across the board every day last week before Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker kicked off Olympic coverage live from PyeongChang. TODAY had its largest total viewer win over GMA in 10 weeks and has won the key demo for 111 straight weeks, its best demo streak in more than five years. Additionally, TODAY was the only morning program to post total viewer growth vs. the same week last season.
Both Megyn Kelly TODAY at 9 a.m. and TODAY with Kathie Lee & Hoda at 10 a.m. posted double digit increases in total viewers and across all key demos compared to the prior week.
TODAY HIGHLIGHTS:
| Net | HH Rtg | HH Shr | P2+ Imps | P18-49 Rtg | P18-49 Imps | P25-54 Rtg | P25-54 Imps |
| TODAY | 3.33 | 13 | 4,651 | 1.00 | 1,285 | 1.43 | 1,722 |
| CBS THIS MORNING | 2.61 | 10 | 3,632 | 0.58 | 746 | 0.84 | 1,017 |
| GOOD MORNING AMERICA | 3.16 | 13 | 4,381 | 0.78 | 1,008 | 1.17 | 1,418 |
TODAY averaged 1.722 million A25-54 viewers, leading GMA by +304,000 (+21%) and CBS This Morning by +705,000 (+69%)
- TODAY has now ranked #1 among A25-54 viewers for 111 consecutive weeks (best streak in over five years) and 127 of the last 128 weeks
- TODAY had its highest A25-54 viewership and widest advantage over GMA in 10 weeks (since week of 11/27/2017
- Compared to the prior week, TODAY’s A25-54 viewership increased by +149,000 (+9%) and widened its advantages over GMA by 89% and CBS by 29%
- Versus the same week last season, TODAY was the only broadcast to post demo growth (+19,000) while seeing higher advantages over the competition: 65% higher vs. GMA and 21% higher vs. CBS
- TODAY delivered a 1.43 A25-54 rating, +0.26 points ahead of GMA and +0.59 points more than CBS
TODAY averaged 1.285 million A18-49 viewers, +277,000 (+27%) more than GMA and +539,000 (+72%) higher than CBS
- Among A18-49 viewers, TODAY has now posted 131 consecutive weekly wins and has finished #1 in 137 of the last 139 weeks and 148 of the last 152 weeks
- TODAY delivered its highest A18-49 audience and widest advantages over GMA and CBS since the week of 12/11/2017
- Week-over-week, TODAY’s A18-49 viewership increased by +99,000 (+8%) and widened its advantage over GMA by 68% and CBS by 31%
- Compared to the same week last season, TODAY added +28,000 A18-49 viewers (+2%), nearly doubling its lead over GMA while increasing over CBS by 21%
- TODAY has now ranked #1 among A18-49 viewers for 83 consecutive daily broadcasts
- TODAY’s 1.00 A18-49 rating led GMA by +0.22 points and CBS by +0.42 points
TODAY averaged 4.651 million total viewers, outperforming GMA by +270,000 (+6%) and CBS This Morning by +1.019 million (+28%)
- TODAY ranked #1 among total viewers for the eighth time in the last 11 weeks
- TODAY posted its highest total viewership and widest leads over the competition since the week of 11/27/2017
- TODAY delivered the largest total viewer increase vs. prior week: +420,000 (+10%) compared to GMA +59,000 (+1%) and CBS +33,000 (+1%)
- TODAY was the only morning program to post total viewer growth vs. the same week last season, up +296,000 (+7%)
- TODAY’s total viewer advantage over CBS was 93% higher than the same week last year (+1.019 million vs. +528,000 prior year)
SEASON-TO-DATE
TODAY ranks #1 among A25-54 viewers
- Leads GMA by +182,000 and CBS by +596,000
TODAY ranks #1 among A18-49 viewers
- Leads GMA by +208,000 and CBS by +465,000
TODAY ranks #1 among total viewers
- Leads GMA by +24,000; best STD P2+ margin vs. GMA since 2011-12.
- Leads CBS by +737,000
TODAY DIGITAL HIGHLIGHTS:
TODAY reached more consumers than GMA on Yahoo with over 35 million unique visitors turning to TODAY.com in December for exclusive interviews and the latest lifestyle, parenting and entertainment news, according to recent data from comScore. For 50 consecutive months (59 out of the last 60), TODAY.com has reached more mobile consumers than GMA on Yahoo. TODAY.com has gone from parity in mobile unique visitors in September 2013 to delivering more than 3.8x GMA on Yahoo’s mobile visitor number in December 2017.
OPENING SUNDAY IN PYEONGCHANG DELIVERED MOST DOMINANT WINTER GAMES SUNDAY NIGHT EVER FOR NBC OLYMPICS, WITH TAD OF 26 MILLION VIEWERS
NBC/NBCSN Average of 25.7 Million Viewers Nearly Triples Combined Total of Other Broadcast Nets
Total Audience Delivery Provides Record 15% Boost to NBC Sunday Primetime Viewership – As Viewers Continue to Watch on Multiple Platforms
NBC Sports Digital Sets Winter Games Record – Passing Full 2014 Sochi Olympics in Live Streaming Minutes after Only 5 Days
NBC/NBCSN Viewership Peaked at Nearly 30 Million Viewers during Women’s Free Skate in Team Figure Skating Event
STAMFORD, Conn. – February 12, 2018 – The opening Sunday of the PyeongChang Olympics delivered the most dominant Winter Games Sunday night ever for NBC Olympics, as primetime coverage posted a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) average of 26.0 million viewers, according to live plus same day fast national data released today by Nielsen, and digital data from Adobe Analytics. (Nielsen “out of home” viewership will be available this week.)
Last night’s NBC/NBCSN average of 25.7 million viewers dominated the TV competition – nearly tripling the combined 9.5 million primetime viewers for ABC, CBS and FOX. The NBC-only 22.8 million viewers in the 7-11 p.m. ET primetime window topped the other broadcast networks by 140% -- marking NBC’s most dominant Winter Games Sunday night ever (people meter history, since Sept. 1987).
RECORD TAD LIFT
- The largest NBCSN evening viewership in nearly three years and the record-setting NBC Sports Digital consumption led to last night’s record 15% TAD lift over the NBC broadcast viewership (TAD chart below). Previously, the largest lift was 14% on the opening Saturday of the 2016 Rio Olympics.
- NBC Olympics’ Total Audience Delivery measures broader consumption by calculating average minute viewing across broadcast, cable, and digital.
NBC SPORTS DIGITAL ECLIPSES FULL SOCHI GAMES
- Only five days into the PyeongChang Olympics, NBC Sports Digital has established a Winter Games record with 445 million live streaming minutes through Monday afternoon – topping the 420 million live streaming minutes for the full 2014 Sochi Olympics.
- NBC Sports Digital delivered an average minute audience of 309,000 for last night’s coverage – the best primetime competition figure for PyeongChang to date.
NBCSN POSTS LARGEST EVENING VIEWERSHIP SINCE 2015
- NBCSN averaged 3.0 million primetime viewers last night – the network’s best viewership in the 7-11 p.m. window since 2015 (3.1 million for the NASCAR Cup Series Race in Bristol on August 22, 2015). Coverage featured American Jamie Anderson winning gold in the women’s slopestyle, plus mixed doubles curling and the men’s biathlon.
ADDITIONALLY…
- Last night’s viewership on NBC/NBCSN peaked at 29.7 million viewers from 9:45-10 p.m. ET, highlighted by the women’s free skate in the team figure skating event.
- NBC’s PyeongChang Olympics broadcast last night (7-11:12 p.m. ET) averaged 22.7 million viewers and posted a 12.4/22 household rating. Viewership includes the West Coast primetime encore.
TOTAL AUDIENCE DELIVERY FOR PYEONGCHANG OLYMPIC COMPETITION
| Date | Total Audience Delivery | NBC-only viewership | TAD Lift |
| Thur. 2/8 | 17.2 million | 16.0 million | 8% |
| Sat. 2/10 | 24.2 million | 21.4 million | 13% |
| Sun. 2/11 | 26.0 million | 22.7 million | 15% |
OLYMPIC COMPETITION TOTAL AUDIENCE DELIVERY
| PYC 2018 | Sochi 2014** | PYC 2018 | Sochi 2014** | |
| Day | Viewership | Viewership | HH Rating | HH Rating |
| Opening Thurs. | 17.2 million | 20.0 million | 9.7 rating | 11.3 rating |
| First Sat. | 24.2 million | 25.1 million | 13.1 rating | 13.9 rating |
| First Sun. | 26.0 million | 26.3 million | 14.2 rating | 14.4 rating |
**NOTE: The 2014 Sochi Olympics had no simultaneous live streaming and no competing primetime Olympic cable coverage. Both of those platforms are included in Total Audience Delivery for the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.
TOP 10 METERED MARKETS FOR NBC/NBCSN SUNDAY PRIMETIME:
| 1. Salt Lake City | 25.9/45 |
| 2. Denver | 24.5/43 |
| 3. Milwaukee | 23.9/36 |
| 4. Portland | 23.6/41 |
| 5. Kansas City | 23.1/35 |
| 6. Seattle | 22.2/41 |
| T7. Austin | 21.4/36 |
| T7. San Diego | 21.4/40 |
| 9. Minneapolis | 20.7/37 |
| 10. Sacramento | 19.8/37 |
ABOUT NBC OLYMPICS
A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s Olympic Games coverage. It is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history. NBCUniversal owns the U.S. media rights on all platforms to all Olympic Games through 2032.
NBC RANKS #1 FOR THE SEASON IN TOTAL VIEWERS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2001-02
With Stellar Support From Scripted and Alternative Hits Teaming With the Biggest Events in Sports, NBC Adds Total-Viewer Leadership to Its Demographic Dominance
Excluding Sports, NBC Is Also Delivering Its Most Competitive Season in Total Viewers in 15 Years
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — Feb. 12, 2018 — NBC has claimed the primetime 2017-18 season-to-date lead among total viewers, with an average of 9.569 million persons for the season through 20 weeks in “most current” results from Nielsen Media Research that include fast-official results for Feb. 9-11.
This marks the first time NBC has ranked #1 in total viewers at any point during the season since it won the 2001-02 crown 16 years ago.
NBC’s 9.569 million viewers is the network’s second highest average through 20 weeks of the season in 11 years, since 2006-07 (9.750 million), trailing slightly over that span only the 9.581 million average in 2014-15.
Excluding all sports, NBC is running closer to CBS at this point in the season than it’s been in 15 years, since 2002-03 (currently within 1.9 million total viewers of CBS excluding sports, best since the gap was 546,000 in 2002-03).
NBC’s breakthrough lineup this season features the Feb. 4 Super Bowl; Feb. 8-25 coverage of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics; broadcast’s #1 drama, “This Is Us,” which is now up +23% versus last season (16.9 million viewers vs. 13.8 million, “most current”) and is on track to rank as the #1 drama in total viewers when additional time-shifting is tallied; the #1 alternative series, “The Voice,” and the biggest in-season alternative launch since “Little Big Shots,” “Ellen’s Game of Games”; the “Chicago” franchise, which represents three of the top six most-watched 10 p.m. dramas on ABC, CBS and NBC (L+7 originals); a Thursday lineup of popular, upscale and critically acclaimed comedies led by the return of “Will & Grace”; Friday’s #1 newsmagazine, “Dateline NBC”; and some of the most-watched specials of the season, including “The Golden Globe Awards” and “Christmas in Rockefeller Center.”
“On behalf of myself and Mark Lazarus, Chairman of NBC Broadcasting and Sports, we are enormously proud of everyone at NBC for achieving the milestone of becoming America’s most-watched network for the first time in 16 years,” said Bob Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment. “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.
“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,’ and the list goes on and on. We are incredibly proud of our owned and affiliated stations as well as our studio, programming, scheduling, sales, marketing, publicity, affiliate-relations and operations teams, all of which are second to none in this industry.”
In the key adult 18-49 demographic, NBC has won the last four September-to-September seasons (and three of four September-to-May seasons) and is on track to make it five in a row this season, but the network had not previously ranked #1 in total viewers at any point during a season, September-to-May or September-to-September, since 2001-02.
NBC remained in fourth place in total viewers for nine consecutive September-to-May seasons from 2004-05 through 2012-13 and has finished #2 for the four completed seasons since then. The last time NBC aired a Super Bowl and Olympics in the same season, during the 2011-12 broadcast year (with the London Summer Olympics), the network finished #2 for that 52-week season.
Season-to-Date Averages
“Most Current,” Including Fast-Official and Fast-Affiliate Results for Feb. 9-11
Total Viewers
NBC…9.569 million
CBS…9.385 million
ABC…5.911 million
Fox…5.892 million
Adult 18-49 Rating
NBC…2.47
Fox…1.77
CBS…1.66
ABC…1.45
Averages include “live plus seven” data from Sept. 25, 2017 through Jan. 28, 2018 and “live plus same day” results from Jan. 29-Feb. 11. NBC’s figures include “fast official” results for Feb. 9-11, while ABC, CBS and Fox averages include “fast affiliate” Nielsens for Feb. 9-11. All results prior to Feb. 9 are based on official-national ratings.
NBC OLYMPICS’ LIVE SATURDAY PRIMETIME COVERAGE FROM PYEONGCHANG TOPS RIO OLYMPICS OPENING SATURDAY WITH TAD OF 24.2 MILLION VIEWERS
Total Audience Delivery Provides 13% Boost to NBC Saturday Primetime Viewership, with Nielsen “Out of Home” Viewership to Come this Week
NBC/NBCSN Dominant in Primetime – Viewership Nearly FOUR TIMES the Combined Total of Other Broadcast Networks on Saturday Night
NBC/NBCSN Viewership Peaked at 25.7 Million as America’s Red Gerard Won Gold in Slopestyle
Winter Games Delivers BEST-EVER Afternoon Rating & Viewership for NBCSN
NBC Sports Digital Sets Winter Games Record with 141 Million Live Streaming Minutes of Saturday’s Competition – More Than Seven Times Greater Than Opening Saturday of Sochi Olympics
STAMFORD, Conn. – February 11, 2018 – NBC Olympics’ primetime coverage of Saturday’s 2018 PyeongChang Olympics competition posted a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) average of 24.2 million viewers, topping the opening Saturday of the 2016 Rio Olympics (23.5 million), according to live plus same day fast national data released today by Nielsen, and digital data from Adobe Analytics. (Nielsen “out of home” viewership will be available this week.)
Last night’s NBC/NBCSN average of 23.9 million viewers dominated the competition – nearly quadrupling the combined 6.1 million primetime viewers for ABC, CBS and FOX.
Viewership on NBC/NBCSN peaked at 25.7 million viewers from 9:45-10 p.m. ET, highlighted by American Red Gerard’s gold medal performance in slopestyle. Saturday’s NBC primetime coverage also featured ice dance and women’s short program in the figure skating team competition. NBCSN presented women’s skiathlon, men’s ski jumping, and women’s biathlon in primetime.
NBCSN & NBC SPORTS DIGITAL SET RECORDS
- NBCSN delivered its best-ever afternoon rating and viewership for Saturday’s 2-5 p.m. ET telecast, featuring women’s biathlon, mixed doubles curling, and long track speed skating. For the three-hour show, NBCSN averaged 4.5 million viewers and a 2.56 household rating.
- NBC Sports Digital set a single-day Winter Games record on Saturday with 141.4 million live stream minutes from 2.4 million unique devices across NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports App. The 141.4 million live streaming minutes was more than seven times greater than the opening Saturday in Sochi (19.2 million minutes), while unique devices more than tripled the same day in Sochi (658,000). NBC Sports Digital delivered an average minute audience of 234,000 for primetime coverage.
TOTAL AUDIENCE DELIVERY & RATINGS NOTES
- NBC Olympics’ coverage on NBCSN and NBC Sports Digital lifted primetime viewership by 13% last night (TAD chart below).
- Last night’s Total Audience Delivery marks the best Saturday primetime viewership for any program in February in four years -- since the opening Saturday of the 2014 Sochi Games (25.1 million viewers on NBC, Feb. 8, 2014).
- Helped by Olympics promotion, Saturday’s Manchester City-Leicester City match delivered NBC’s largest Premier League audience in more than a year with an average of 1.15 million viewers (1.16 million for Manchester United-Tottenham, Jan. 21, 2017)
- NBC’s PyeongChang Olympics broadcast last night (8-11:10 p.m. ET) averaged 21.4 million viewers and posted an 11.6/22 household rating. Viewership includes the West Coast primetime encore.
NBC Olympics’ Total Audience Delivery measures broader consumption by calculating average minute viewing across broadcast, cable, and digital.
TOTAL AUDIENCE DELIVERY FOR PYEONGCHANG OLYMPIC COMPETITION
| Date | Total Audience Delivery | NBC-only viewership | TAD Lift |
| Thur. 2/8 | 17.2 million | 16.0 million | 8% |
| Sat. 2/10 | 24.2 million | 21.4 million | 13% |
OLYMPIC COMPETITION TOTAL AUDIENCE DELIVERY
| Day | PYC 2018 | Sochi 2014** | PYC 2018 | Sochi 2014** |
| Opening Thurs. | 17.2 million | 20.0 million | 9.7 rating | 11.3 rating |
| First Sat. | 24.2 million | 25.1 million | 13.1 rating | 13.9 rating |
**NOTE: The 2014 Sochi Olympics had no simultaneous live streaming and no competing primetime Olympic cable coverage. Both of those platforms are included in Total Audience Delivery for the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.
TOP 10 METERED MARKETS FOR NBC/NBCSN SATURDAY PRIMETIME:
| 1. Salt Lake City | 24.5/46 |
| 2. Denver | 22.7/40 |
| 3. Seattle | 21.4/42 |
| 4. San Diego | 21.3/43 |
| T5. Kansas City | 20.3/33 |
| T5. Sacramento | 20.3/38 |
| 7. Portland | 20.0/39 |
| 8. Milwaukee | 19.9/34 |
| 9. Tulsa | 19.7/27 |
| 10. Los Angeles |
19.6/38
|
ABOUT NBC OLYMPICS
A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s Olympic Games coverage. It is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history. NBCUniversal owns the U.S. media rights on all platforms to all Olympic Games through 2032.
NBC’S PYEONGCHANG OLYMPICS OPENING CEREMONY IS MOST-WATCHED FRIDAY NIGHT PROGRAM ON ANY NETWORK IN FOUR YEARS WITH TAD OF 28.3 MILLION VIEWERS
NBC Television Average of 27.8 Million Viewers for Opening Ceremony Tops Four-Year Stretch of Friday Shows Including 4 World Series Games, 2 NBA Finals Games & All 3 Fridays of Rio Olympics
NBC’s Opening Ceremony Posts Most Dominant Friday vs. Other Broadcast Networks in People Meter History, With 14.7 HH Rating
PyeongChang Opening Ceremony Up 6% from 2016 Rio Opening Ceremony
“Tonight Show” Following Opening Ceremony Up 18% in Viewership from Same Night in Rio
NBC Sports Digital’s Stream of Opening Ceremony Delivered 449,000 Average Minute Audience – More Than Double Rio
STAMFORD, Conn. – February 10, 2018 – NBC’s coverage of the Opening Ceremony for the PyeongChang Olympics posted a Total Audience Delivery average of 28.3 million viewers to rank as the most-watched Friday night program on any network since the 2014 Sochi Olympics, according to live plus same day fast national data released today by Nielsen, and digital data from Adobe Analytics. (Nielsen “out of home” viewership will be available early next week.)
NBC’s 14.7/27 primetime household rating for the Opening Ceremony outperformed by 167% the combined rating of ABC, CBS and FOX for the night (5.5), to rank as the most-dominant Friday in People Meter History (Sept.-May TV season, since Sept. 1987).
MARK LAZARUS, CHAIRMAN OF NBC BROADCASTING & SPORTS: “The Opening Ceremony was a terrific show, which we hope will only be topped by the excitement generated by the athletes and competition over the next few weeks. American audiences continue to be interested and excited for the Games, and the early consumption results show that our multiple platform strategy is dominating the media landscape.”
- The NBC television viewership of 27.8 million for the Opening Ceremony marks the largest audience on a Friday night in four years, a stretch that included four Friday World Series games, two NBA Finals games, three nights of 2016 Rio Olympics coverage, and two nights of the Sochi Olympics.
- Opening Ceremony viewership on NBC peaked at 31.5 million from 9-9:15 p.m. ET, as Team USA entered during the Parade of Nations.
- Last night’s broadcast (8-11:02 p.m. ET) ranks as the largest audience for a Friday night on any network since NBC’s presentation of the 2014 Sochi Olympics Opening Ceremony (31.7 million viewers, Feb. 7, 2014). In addition, last night’s Total Audience Delivery topped by 6% the 2016 Rio Opening Ceremony (26.7 million TAD). The West Coast primetime telecast is included in metrics.
NBC SPORTS DIGITAL POSTS BIG NUMBERS AGAIN
NBC Sports Digital’s Opening Ceremony streaming (live at 6 a.m. ET and simultaneous to the NBC primetime show) on NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app delivered an average minute audience of 449,000 viewers – more than double the audience for the Rio Opening Ceremony (181,000). NBC Sports Digital’s full-day streaming total of 64.2 million live stream minutes exceeded the total of 16 of the 17 competition days in Sochi. The Sochi Opening Ceremony was not streamed.
NBC Olympics this morning made available the full, unedited world feed of the Opening Ceremony of the XXIII Olympic Winter Games for viewing anytime on NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app.
OPENING CEREMONY LEAD-IN BOOSTS “TONIGHT SHOW”
Friday night’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” delivered an 18% increase in total viewers versus the night of the Rio Opening Ceremony – averaging 4.662 million persons versus 3.943 million on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, during the Rio Games.
It also marked “Tonight’s” most-watched regularly scheduled edition since Thursday, Nov. 26, 2015 (5.016 million, following a primetime NFL Thanksgiving game) and most-watched Friday telecast in three years, since Feb. 20, 2015 (4.814 million, following an encore of the “SNL 40thAnniversary” special in primetime). Versus “Tonight’s” season average for originals, Friday’s telecast was up 79% in total viewers (4.622 million vs. 2.599 million).
MOST-WATCHED NON-LIVE WINTER OLYMPICS OPENING CEREMONIES, AVERAGE VIEWERS (P2+):
| 1. Lillehammer – 1994 | 33.8 Million (CBS) |
| 2. Sochi - 2014 | 31.7 Million (NBC) |
| 3. PyeongChang - 2018 | 28.3 Million (NBC)* |
| 4. Nagano - 1998 | 27.2 Million (CBS) |
| 5. Albertville – 1992 | 24.0 Million (CBS) |
| 6. Torino - 2006 | 22.2 Million (NBC) |
| *** | *** |
| Salt Lake – 2002 (LIVE) | 45.6 Million (NBC) |
| Vancouver -- 2010 (LIVE) | 32.7 Million (NBC) |
*Total Audience Delivery
TOP 20 METERED MARKETS FOR OPENING CEREMONY:
| Market | HH rating/share |
| 1. Salt Lake City | 29.6/55 |
| 2. Denver | 27.4/51 |
| 3. San Diego | 25.1/49 |
| 4. Seattle | 24.0/46 |
| 5. Sacramento | 23.4/45 |
| 6. Portland | 23.0/44 |
| 7. San Francisco | 21.1/46 |
| 8. Los Angeles | 20.9/41 |
| 9. West Palm Beach | 20.0/31 |
| 10. Buffalo | 19.8/31 |
| 11. Fort Myers | 19.7/32 |
| 12. Milwaukee | 19.6/31 |
| 13. Austin | 18.5/33 |
| T14. Minneapolis | 18.4/35 |
| T14. Washington, DC | 18.4/33 |
| 16. Kansas City | 18.1/30 |
| 17. Columbus | 17.8/28 |
| 18. Las Vegas | 17.7/30 |
| 19. Cleveland | 17.5/27 |
| T20. Chicago | 17.3/28 |
| T20. Phoenix | 17.3/33 |
| T20. Albuquerque | 17.3/28 |
Jim Bell, Joe Gesue and Rebecca Chatman served as producers of NBC's Opening Ceremony coverage; Michael Sheehan, director.
ABOUT NBC OLYMPICS
A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s Olympic Games coverage. It is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history. NBCUniversal owns the U.S. media rights on all platforms to all Olympic Games through 2032.
NBC OLYMPICS’ LIVE PRIMETIME COVERAGE FROM PYEONGCHANG POSTS BEST THURSDAY NIGHT PRIMETIME AUDIENCE ON ANY NETWORK SINCE SEPTEMBER
Total Audience Delivery Average of 17.2 Million Viewers Provides 8% Lift above NBC Broadcast (Not Including Nielsen “Out of Home” Viewers*)
NBC/NBCSN Viewership Exceeds By 20% Combined Total of Other Broadcast Networks
NBC Sports Digital’s Live Streaming Minutes Quadruples Opening Thursday in Sochi & Tops 14 of 17 Sochi Competition Days
STAMFORD, Conn. – February 9, 2018 – NBC Olympics’ primetime coverage of Thursday’s 2018 PyeongChang Olympics competition posted a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) average of 17.2 million viewers to rank as the most-watched Thursday night program on any network in five months, according to live plus same day official data released today by Nielsen, and digital data from Adobe Analytics.
Thursday night’s presentation was highlighted by the debut of NBC’s first-ever live across all time zones Winter Games coverage, as well as unprecedented live side-by-side Winter Olympics coverage on NBCSN, and live streaming of both networks via NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app.
Last night’s Total Audience Delivery average of 17.2 million viewers is the best for a Thursday night show on any network since NBC’s NFL Kickoff Game on Sept. 7, 2017 (22.2 million viewers for Chiefs-Patriots). NBC Olympics’ Total Audience Delivery measures broader PyeongChang Olympics consumption by calculating average minute viewing across broadcast, cable, and digital. Viewership includes West Coast primetime.
Viewership on NBC/NBCSN peaked at 19.3 million from 9-9:15 p.m. ET, which featured Nathan Chen’s performance in the figure skating team event. Thursday night’s NBC/NBCSN viewership (17.1 million) exceeded by 20% the combined viewership of ABC, CBS and FOX for the night (14.3 million).
NBC Olympics coverage on NBCSN and NBC Sports Digital lifted primetime viewership by 8% last night (chart below).
| Date | Total Audience Delivery | NBC-only viewership | TAD Lift |
| Thur. 2/8 | 17.2 million | 16.0 million | 8% |
NBC’s PyeongChang Olympics broadcast last night (8:30-11:15 p.m. ET) – featuring team figure skating, qualifying in the men’s and women’s moguls competitions, and qualifying in men’s ski jumping -- averaged 16.0 million viewers and posted a 9.0/16 household rating. Also in primetime last night, NBCSN presented curling, men’s luge, and alpine skiing (training sessions). All coverage was streamed live on NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app.
NBC Sports Digital’s live full-day streaming amassed a total of 28.6 million live stream minutes from 822,000 unique devices across NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports App – up +314% and +139%, respectively, from the same day in Sochi. In addition, NBC Sports Digital’s 28.6 million live streaming minutes exceeded the total of 14 of the 17 competition days in Sochi.
OLYMPIC COMPETITION TOTAL AUDIENCE DELIVERY
| Day | PYC 2018 | Sochi 2014** | PYC 2018 | Sochi 2014** |
| Opening Thurs. | 17.2 million | 20.0 million | 9.7 rating | 11.3 rating |
**NOTE: The 2014 Sochi Olympics had no simultaneous live streaming and no competing primetime Olympic cable coverage. Both of those platforms are included in Total Audience Delivery for the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.
TOP 10 METERED MARKETS FOR NBC/NBCSN THURSDAY PRIMETIME:
| 1. Salt Lake City | 17.7/33 |
| 2. Sacramento | 17.2/32 |
| 3. Seattle | 16.6/31 |
| 4. San Diego | 16.4/31 |
| 5. Portland | 15.6/29 |
| 6. Denver | 15.4/28 |
| 7. Los Angeles | 15.0/28 |
| 8. West Palm Beach | 14.2/22 |
| 9. Pittsburgh | 13.8/22 |
| 10. Minneapolis | 13.5/25 |
* “Out Of Home” viewers will be available early next week from Nielsen.
ABOUT NBC OLYMPICS
A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s Olympic Games coverage. It is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history. NBCUniversal owns the U.S. media rights on all platforms to all Olympic Games through 2032.
NBC’S SUPER BOWL LII GAINS MORE THAN 12 MILLION NIELSEN “OUT OF HOME” VIEWERS – INCREASING TOTAL AUDIENCE DELIVERY TO 118.2 MILLION VIEWERS
Preliminary “Out of Home” Metric Lifts NBC’s TV Audience By 12%
“Out of Home” Viewing Will Be Reported Throughout PyeongChang Olympics
STAMFORD, Conn. – Feb. 8, 2018 – Viewership for NBC’s Super Bowl LII presentation, featuring the Philadelphia Eagles winning their first Super Bowl with a victory over the defending champion New England Patriots, has increased by more than 12 million viewers based on a new preliminary “out of home” viewing metric issued today by Nielsen.
“Out of home” viewership has been previously reported, but never before within four days of a live event.
With the Nielsen “out of home” figure added, Super Bowl LII now registers a Total Audience Delivery of 118.2 million viewers, across all platforms – NBC, NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app, NBC.com ‘TV Everywhere,’ Universo, En Vivo app, NFL.com, NFL Mobile from Verizon, the Yahoo Sports app, and go90.
“We know that the Super Bowl is watched in large groups by many at parties, on college campuses, and elsewhere, so we are pleased to be able to report a lift that is in the double digits percentage wise to our NBC broadcast,” said Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Broadcasting & Sports. “We will continue to utilize ‘out of home’ reporting throughout the Winter Games, as the Olympics is a communal event that brings people together.”
The “out of home” metric for Super Bowl was calculated based solely on viewership of the NBC broadcast (6:31-10:25 p.m. ET), and accounts for a 12% lift for the NBC delivery to an average of 115.6 million viewers (from the 103.4 million viewers reported on Monday).
For the PyeongChang Olympics, “out of home” viewership will be measured for every primetime telecast, beginning tonight as primetime coverage live across all time zones started at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
‘TONIGHT SHOW’ WINS THE WEEK OF JAN. 29-FEB. 2 IN ADULTS 18-49
Fallon Also Takes the Week in Adults, Men & Women 18-34; Men & Women 18-49; and Adults & Women 25-54
At 12:35 a.m., Seth Meyers Ranks #1 for the Week in Every Key Ratings Measure
NEW YORK — Feb. 6, 2018 — “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” has taken the late-night ratings week of Jan. 29-Feb. 2 versus the timeslot’s ABC and CBS competition in the key demographic of adult 18-49, according to “live plus same day” figures from Nielsen Media Research. Note that Friday’s “Tonight Show” encore is excluded from these averaged and the Friday “Jimmy Kimmel Live” was also a rebroadcast.
“Tonight” won the 11:35 p.m. hour for the week over “Kimmel” by a +23% margin in adults 18-49 (with a 0.59 rating vs. a 0.48) and versus “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” by +26% (0.59 vs. 0.47).
Fallon was also the weeklong winner versus the ABC and CBS competition in adults, men and women 18-34; men and women 18-49; and adults and women 25-54.
At 12:35 a.m. ET, “Late Night with Seth Meyers” outrated CBS’ “The Late Late Show with James Corden” in every key measure – adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, plus total viewers --and also beat ABC’s “Nightline” in their head-to-head half-hour from 12:30 to 1 a.m. ET in all key categories).
LATE-NIGHT WEEKLY AVERAGES
(According to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research for the week of Jan. 29-Feb. 2. Ratings reflect “live plus same day” data from Nielsen Media Research 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.”)
ADULTS 18-49
(According to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research for the week of Jan. 29-Feb. 2. Ratings reflect “live plus same day” data from Nielsen Media Research 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.”)
ADULTS 18-49
11:35 p.m.-12:35 a.m. ET
NBC “Tonight” 0.59 rating, 4 share *
CBS “Late Show,” 0.47/3
ABC “Kimmel,” 0.48/3 *
NBC “Tonight” 0.59 rating, 4 share *
CBS “Late Show,” 0.47/3
ABC “Kimmel,” 0.48/3 *
12:35-1:05 a.m. ET
ABC “Nightline,” 0.32/2
ABC “Nightline,” 0.32/2
12:35-1:35 a.m. ET
NBC “Late Night,” 0.36/3 *
CBS “Late Late Show,” 0.28/2 *
NBC “Late Night,” 0.36/3 *
CBS “Late Late Show,” 0.28/2 *
1:35-2:05 a.m. ET
NBC “Last Call,” 0.22/2 *
NBC “Last Call,” 0.22/2 *
TOTAL VIEWERS
11:35 p.m.-12:35 a.m. ET
NBC “Tonight,” 2.429 million viewers *
CBS “Late Show,” 3.229 million viewers
ABC “Kimmel,” 2.169 million viewers *
NBC “Tonight,” 2.429 million viewers *
CBS “Late Show,” 3.229 million viewers
ABC “Kimmel,” 2.169 million viewers *
12:35-1:05 a.m. ET
ABC “Nightline,” 1.349 million viewers
ABC “Nightline,” 1.349 million viewers
12:35-1:35 a.m. ET
NBC “Late Night,” 1.399 million viewers *
CBS “The Late Late Show,” 1.394 million viewers *
NBC “Late Night,” 1.399 million viewers *
CBS “The Late Late Show,” 1.394 million viewers *
1:35-2:05 a.m. ET
NBC “Last Call,” 0.792 million viewers *
NBC “Last Call,” 0.792 million viewers *
* Friday’s “Kimmel,” “Late Night,” “Late Late Show” and “Last Call.” were encores. “Tonight” also aired a rebroadcast on Friday and those results are excluded from these averages. Thursday’s “Last Call” was preempted.
SEASON AVERAGES
ADULTS 18-49
11:35 p.m.-12:35 a.m. ET
NBC “Tonight” 0.69 rating, 4 share
CBS “Late Show,” 0.61/4
ABC “Kimmel,” 0.48/3
NBC “Tonight” 0.69 rating, 4 share
CBS “Late Show,” 0.61/4
ABC “Kimmel,” 0.48/3
12:35-1:05 a.m. ET
ABC “Nightline,” 0.31/2
ABC “Nightline,” 0.31/2
12:35-1:35 a.m. ET
NBC “Late Night,” 0.40/3
CBS “The Late Late Show,” 0.30/3
NBC “Late Night,” 0.40/3
CBS “The Late Late Show,” 0.30/3
1:35-2:05 a.m. ET
NBC “Last Call,” 0.24/2
NBC “Last Call,” 0.24/2
TOTAL VIEWERS
11:35 p.m.-12:35 a.m. ET
NBC “Tonight,” 2.767 million viewers
CBS “Late Show,” 3.856 million viewers
ABC “Kimmel,” 2.291 million viewers
NBC “Tonight,” 2.767 million viewers
CBS “Late Show,” 3.856 million viewers
ABC “Kimmel,” 2.291 million viewers
12:35-1:05 a.m. ET
ABC “Nightline,” 1.428 million viewers
ABC “Nightline,” 1.428 million viewers
12:35-1:35 a.m. ET
NBC “Late Night,” 1.584 million viewers
CBS “The Late Late Show,” 1.451 million viewers
NBC “Late Night,” 1.584 million viewers
CBS “The Late Late Show,” 1.451 million viewers
1:35-2:05 a.m. ET
NBC “Last Call,” 0.839 million viewers
NBC “Last Call,” 0.839 million viewers
SELECTED CABLE RESULTS, WEEK OF JAN. 29-FEB. 2
NATIONAL ADULT 18-49 RATING
Comedy Central, 11-11:30 p.m., “The Daily Show,” 0.27
Comedy Central, 11:30-midnight ET, “The Opposition,” 0.12
Comedy Central, 11:30-midnight ET, “The Opposition,” 0.12
TBS, 11 p.m.-midnight, “Conan,” 0.17
Adult Swim, 11:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. ET, 0.56
Adult Swim, 12:30-1:30 a.m. ET, 0.42
Adult Swim, 12:30-1:30 a.m. ET, 0.42
Each adult 18-49 rating point equals 1.28 million viewers.
TOTAL VIEWERS
Comedy Central, 11-11:30 p.m., “The Daily Show,” 0.942 million
Comedy Central, 11:30-midnight ET, “The Opposition,” 0.354 million
Comedy Central, 11:30-midnight ET, “The Opposition,” 0.354 million
TBS, 11 p.m.-midnight, “Conan,” 0.365 million
Adult Swim, 11:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. ET, 1.137 million
Adult Swim, 12:30-1:30 a.m. ET, 0.869 million
Adult Swim, 11:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. ET, 1.137 million
Adult Swim, 12:30-1:30 a.m. ET, 0.869 million
NBC DELIVERS ITS MOST DOMINANT RATINGS WIN FOR A NON-OLYMPIC WEEK IN PEOPLE-METER HISTORY
Eagles-Patriots Super Bowl & “This Is Us” Generate NBC’s Most Dominant Night In the 30-Year History of Nielsen’s People-Meter Sample
Joining Football, the Post-Game Show & “This Is Us” in the Week’s Top 25 in 18-49 Are “Ellen’s Game of Games,” State of the Union Analysis, “Will & Grace,” “SVU,” “Chicago P.D.,” “The Wall,” “Superstore” & “The Good Place”
Season to Date, NBC Leads by a +33% Margin in 18-49, Biggest Lead for Any Network at This Point in the Season in 20 Years
In Total Viewers, NBC Is the Closest It’s Been to #1 CBS at This Point in the Season in 17 Years
Monday’s "The Brave" Season Finale Jumps +15% Versus the Prior Week in Total Viewers
"Ellen’s Game of Games" Leads NBC to Its 13th Straight Tuesday Win in 18-49
Wednesday’s "Chicago P.D." Is the #1 Show of the Night in Total Viewers, Wins the 10 p.m. Hour in 18-49, 25-54, Total Viewers & All Other Key Measures
On Thursday, the "Good Place" Season Finale Matches the Show's 18-49 High Since Oct. 12, “Chicago Fire” Ties for the 10 p.m. Win
Saturday’s “NFL Honors” Grows +9% in Total Viewers Vs. Last Year
Super Bowl Sunday Is NBC’s #2 Most-Watched Night in People-Meter History, Super Bowl LII Ranks as a Top 10 Most-Watched Show in U.S. TV History
Sunday’s Post-Super Bowl “This Is Us” Scores as NBC’s Most-Watched Scripted Show Since “ER” the Night of the “Friends” Finale and Top Drama on Any Net in 10 Years
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — Feb. 6, 2018 — NBC has scored its most dominant ratings win for a non-Olympic week in people-meter history, boosted by its biggest nightlong margins in the 30-year history of Nielsen’s sample from Sunday’s Super Bowl coverage and post-game telecast of “This Is Us.”
With an average 23.1 million viewers for the Jan. 29-Feb. 4 week, it’s NBC’s most-watched in-season week in eight years, since the week of Feb. 15-21, 2010 during the Vancouver Winter Olympics, and most-watched in-season non-Olympic week in 20 years, since Jan. 19-25, 1998 with the Super Bowl. In 18-49, it’s NBC’s highest rated week in 18-49 in three years, since the week of Jan. 26-Feb. 1, 2015 with the Super Bowl.
It’s NBC’s most dominant non-Olympic week in people-meter history, with a +173% advantage over the combined result of the Big 4 competition in adults 18-49 (with a 7.1 rating vs. a combined 2.6) and an +81% advantage in total viewers (23.1 million vs. 12.7 million). Versus the week’s #2 network, NBC held a +689% lead in 18-49 (7.1 vs. 0.9 for ABC) and a +280% margin in total viewers (23.1 million vs. 6.1 million for CBS), marking NBC’s largest advantages over #2 in a non-Olympic week ever in the history of people meters.
The top three shows of the week were Sunday’s Super Bowl, Super Bowl Post-Game Show and “This Is Us.” Also generating top 25 rankings among Big 4 primetime programs in adults 18-49 were: “Ellen’s Game of Games” (#7), NBC News analysis of Tuesday’s State of the Union Address (tied for #12), “Will & Grace,” “Law & Order: SVU” and “Chicago P.D.” (each tied for #15), and “The Wall,” “Superstore” and “The Good Place” (each tied for #20).
Weekly ratings are “live plus same day” figures from Nielsen Media Research unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date ratings are averages of “live plus seven day” data except for the two most recent weeks, which are “live plus same day.”
Week 19 Averages
Adult 18-49 Rating, “live plus same day,” Jan. 29-Feb. 4
NBC…7.1
ABC…0.9
CBS…0.9
Fox…0.8
CW…0.5
Total Viewers
NBC…23.1 million
CBS…6.1 million
ABC…3.8 million
Fox…2.9 million
CW…1.4 million
Season-to-Date Averages
Adult 18-49 Rating, “Most Current”
NBC…2.4
Fox…1.8
CBS…1.7
ABC…1.4
CW…0.6
Total Viewers
CBS…9.5 million
NBC…9.2 million
Fox…6.0 million
ABC…5.9 million
CW…1.7 million
NBC highlights for the week of Jan. 29-Feb. 4:
Monday
“The Wall” (1.1/4 in 18-49, 5.4 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) increased its rating from half-hour to half-hour in every key ratings category and tied for #2 in the hour among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49. Upscale: “The Wall” delivers a solid upscale audience, indexing at a 108 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (with 100 representing an average concentration of those homes).
“Better Late Than Never” (0.9/3 in 18-49, 4.8 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) retained 100% week to week in 18-49 (0.9 vs. 0.9) and 97% in total viewers (4.8 million vs. 4.9 million) and tied for #2 in the timeslot among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49. L+3: “Better Late Than Never” grew by +22% in 18-49 (0.92 to 1.12) and +942,000 viewers overall (4.8 million to 5.7 million) going from L+SD to L+3.
The season finale of “The Brave” (0.7/3 in 18-49, 3.9 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) jumped +15% week to week in total viewers (3.9 million vs. 3.4 million) and maintained 100% in 18-49, to equal the show’s highest 18-49 rating since its fall finale on Nov. 20 (0.9). L+3: “The Brave” grew by +75% in 18-49 (0.71 to 1.24) and +2.5 million viewers overall (3.9 million to 6.4 million) going from L+SD to L+3. That +75% increased was the night’s biggest L+3 lift on the Big 4 networks. L+7: “The Brave” has increased by +69% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 0.96 to a 1.62) and more than +3.0 million viewers overall (4.8 million to 7.8 million). With the addition of projected 35-day non-linear ratings, the “Brave” figure grows to a 2.23 in 18-49. Upscale: “The Brave” is generating a solidly upscale audience, indexing at a 109 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes.
Tuesday
NBC won the night in adults 18-49, for the network’s 13th consecutive Tuesday win in adults 18-49 among the Big 4 networks.
“Ellen’s Game of Games” (1.8/7 in 18-49, 7.6 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) ranked as the #1 show in the timeslot among the Big 4 in adults 18-49, total viewers and every other key category, retaining 100% week to week in 18-49 (1.8 vs. 1.8) and growing in in total viewers (7.582 million vs. 7.571 million). “Games” won the timeslot in 18-49 by a +64% margin over CBS’ “Super Bowl Commercials 2018” (1.8 vs. 1.1) and grew from half-hour to half-hour in every key ratings measure. L+3: “Games” grew by +14% in 18-49 (1.79 to 2.04) and +791,000 viewers overall (7.6 million to 8.4 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: “Ellen’s Game of Games” has increased by +20% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 2.03 to a 2.43) and +1.3 million viewers overall (8.2 million to 9.5 million).
Coverage of the State of the Union Address and Democratic Response was sustaining and is not included in nightly or weekly networks averages.
NBC News analysis of the State of the Union Address averaged a 1.3/5 in adults 18-49, a 1.8 in adults 25-54 and 5.9 million viewers overall.
Wednesday
“The Blacklist” (1.0/4 in 18-49, 6.1 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) ranked #2 in the competitive timeslot in total viewers and adults 25-54 and tied for #2 in adults 18-49. L+3: “Blacklist” increased by +53% in 18-49 (1.05 to 1.61) and +2.4 million viewers overall (6.1 million to 8.5 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: “Blacklist” is growing by +72% in 18-49 rating this season going from L+SD to L+7 (0.97 to a 1.67) and more than +3.0 million viewers overall (5.8 million to 8.8 million). Upscale: “Blacklist” delivers a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 127 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (with 100 representing an average concentration of those homes).
“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (1.2/5 in 18-49, 5.5 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) ranked #2 in the competitive timeslot in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, adults 18-34 and all key adult-female demos. L+3: “SVU” grew +55% in 18-49 (1.21 to 1.88) and +2.2 million viewers overall (5.5 million to 7.7 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: “SVU” has grown by +73% this season in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.30 to a 2.25) and more than +2.9 million viewers overall (5.9 million to 8.9 million). When projected 35-day non-linear viewing is included, the “SVU” 18-49 rating increases to a 3.43.
“Chicago P.D.” (1.2/5 in 18-49, 6.7 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) won the time period among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and every other key measure, and has now won the slot or tied for #1 versus regular ABC and CBS competition with its last 29 straight original telecasts in adults 18-49 (L+SD), extending back to October 2016. “P.D.” grew versus its prior original in total viewers (6.719 million vs. 6.663 million on Jan. 17) to rank as the #1 most-watched show of the night. L+3: “P.D.” grew by +65% in 18-49 (1.23 to 2.03) and more than +3.4 million viewers overall (6.7 million to 10.2 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens, for the biggest L+3 lift of the night in total viewers. L+7: “Chicago P.D.” is increasing by +87% in 18-49 rating this season going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 1.2- to a 2.24) and +4.1 million viewers overall (6.3 million to 10.4 million). With the addition of projected 35-day non-linear ratings, the “P.D.” figure grows to a 2.88.
Thursday
“Superstore” (1.1/4 in 18-49, 3.4 million viewers overall from 8-8:30 p.m. ET) rated within 0.1 of the prior week in 18-49 (1.1 vs. 1.2, which equaled the show’s high since premiere week), despite the return this week of time-period competition from “The Big Bang Theory”) and retained 100% in adults, men and women 18-34. L+3: “Superstore” increased by +41% in 18-49 (1.06 to 1.49) and +918,000 viewers overall (3.4 million to 4.3 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. Upscale: “Superstore” is delivering a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 118 among adults 18-49 in $100K+ homes.
The Season 2 finale of “The Good Place” (1.1/4 in 18-49, 3.2 million viewers overall from 8:30-9 p.m. ET) equaled the show’s top 18-49 rating since Oct. 12 (1.2), maintaining 100% week to week in 18-49 (1.1 vs. 1.1), despite the return this week of timeslot competition from “Young Sheldon.” “The Good Place” also equaled the show’s year-ago season finale in 18-49 (1.1 vs. 1.1 from 8-9 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2017). L+3: “Good Place” grew +50% in 18-49 (1.13 to 1.70) and +1.4 million viewers overall (3.2 million to 4.6 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: “The Good Place” is increasing by +72% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 so far this season (from a 1.14 to a 1.96) and +1.9 million viewers overall (4.0 million to 5.9 million). With the addition of projected 35-day non-linear ratings, the “Good Place” figure grows to a 3.42. Upscale: “Good Place” is generating a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 138 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (with 100 representing an average concentration of those homes).
“Will & Grace” (1.2/5 in 18-49, 4.1 million viewers overall from 9-9:31 p.m. ET) retained 100% versus its prior original of two weeks earlier in women 18-49 and adults, men and women 18-34, while building on its lead-in by +9% in adults 18-49 and +29% in total viewers. L+3: “Will & Grace” increased by +66% in 18-49 (1.20 to 1.99) and +2.3 million viewers overall (4.1 million to 6.4 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: “Will & Grace” has grown by +85% in 18-49 rating this season going from L+SD to L+7 (1.74 to a 3.22) and more than +3.8 million viewers overall (6.3 million to 10.1 million). With the addition of projected 35-day non-linear ratings, the “Will & Grace” 18-49 average increases to a 5.23. Upscale: “Will & Grace” is delivering a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 137 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes.
A preview telecast of “A.P. Bio” (0.8/3 in 18-49, 3.1 million viewers overall from 9:31-10 p.m. ET) generated solid sampling, scoring NBC’s highest 18-49 and total-viewer results in the timeslot since Dec. 21 (1.2 in 18-49, 4.0 million) and maintained 100% of NBC’s season average in the time period in 18-49 excluding sports (0.8 vs. 0.8) and total viewers (3.117 million vs. 3.112 million). L+3: “A.P. Bio” grew by +38% in 18-49 going from L+SD to L+3 (0.85 to 1.17) and +950,000 viewers overall (3.1 million to 4.1 million).
“Chicago Fire” (1.0/4 in 18-49, 5.7 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) tied for #1 in the timeslot in adults 18-49 and maintained 100% week to week in all key adult-male demos. L+3: “Fire” grew by +83% in 18-49 (1.03 to 1.88) and +3.4 million viewers overall (5.7 million to 9.1 million) going from L+SD to L+3, for the biggest L+3 lift of the night on the Big 4 networks in 18-49 percentage. L+7: “Chicago Fire” is growing by +93% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.12 to a 2.16) and more than +4.0 million viewers overall (6.1 million to 10.2 million) going from L+SD to L+7. With the addition of projected 35-day non-linear ratings, the “Fire” figure increases to a 2.94 in 18-49.
Friday
“Blindspot” (0.6/3 in 18-49, 3.2 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) retained 100% week to week in 18-49 (0.6 vs. 0.6) and increased in women 18-49 and women 25-54. L+3: The prior week’s “Blindspot” grew by +83% in 18-49 (0.61 to 1.17) and more than +1.7 million viewers overall (3.8 million to 5.5 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens, for the biggest L+3 lift of the night in total viewers. L+7: “Blindspot” is increasing by +91% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 0.68 to a 1.30) and +2.2 million viewers overall (3.5 million to 5.7 million). When projected 35-day non-linear viewing is included, the “Great News” 18-49 rating grows to a 2.14. Upscale: “Blindspot” is generating a strong upscale audience, indexing at a 116 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (with 100 representing an average concentration of those homes).
“Taken” (0.4/2 in 18-49, 2.5 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) maintained 100% week to week in women 18-49 and adults, men and women 18-34, despite the return this week of original competition from “Hawaii Five-0,” as well as special first-run “Hell’s Kitchen competition on Fox. L+3: The previous week’s “Taken” grew by +54% in 18-49 (0.48 to 0.74) and +1.4 million viewers overall (3.1 million to 4.5 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. L+7: “Taken” is increasing by +60% in 18-49 rating going from L+SD to L+7 (from a 0.5 to a 0.8) and +1.8 million viewers overall (2.9 million to 4.7 million).
“Dateline NBC” (0.7/3 in 18-49, 1.1 in adults 25-54, 4.0 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) maintained 100% week to week in adults 18-49 (0.7 vs. 0.7) and adults 25-54 (1.1 vs. 1.1), equaling the show’s highest 25-54 rating since Dec. 29, 2017 (1.2 from 9-11 p.m.). L+3: The prior week’s “Dateline” increased by +43% in 18-49 (0.75 to 1.07) and +1.4 million viewers overall (4.3 million to 5.7 million) going from L+SD to L+3 Nielsens. Upscale: Friday’s “Dateline” is delivering a solid upscale audience, indexing at a 114 among adults 18-49 in $100K+ homes.
Saturday
NBC tied for the Saturday primetime win among the Big 4 in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 outright among those nets in adults 25-54.
“SNL Vintage” (0.6/3 in 18-49, 2.9 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET, with an encore of a March 24, 2007 telecast of “Saturday Night Live” hosted by Peyton Manning and featuring musical guest Carrie Underwood) ranked #1 in the timeslot among the Big 4 networks in 25-54. “SNL Vintage maintained or increased its rating in every key demographic.
The NBC Sports Special "NFL Honors” (0.8/3 in 18-49, 3.5 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) grew +9% versus last year’s telecast on Fox in total viewers (3.5 million vs. 3.2 million from 8-10 p.m. on Feb. 4, 2017) and maintained 100% in 18-49 (0.8 vs. 0.8).
Sunday
NBC scored its most dominant nightlong win in people meter history on Super Bowl Sunday, with coverage of the Eagles-Patriots game and the start of a post-Super Bowl “This Is Us” propelling NBC to margins of +3110% in adults 18-49 and +1712% in total viewers over the combined Big 4 competition and +7925% in 18-49 and +3308% in total viewers versus the night’s #2 network. In each case, these mark NBC’s biggest margins on any night since the start of Nielsen’s current people-meter sample in September 1987.
NBC’s average 98.5 million viewers in primetime makes this the network’s second most-watched night in people meter history, behind only the 103.9 million of Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, also a Super Bowl night.
NBC Sports coverage of Super Bowl LII (33.4/78 in 18-49, 103.4 million viewers overall , 43.1/68 in households from 6:31-10:25 p.m. ET) ranks as the No. 10 most-watched show in U.S. TV history, and is expected to be by far the most-watched show of the year, more than doubling viewership for the anticipated #2 show of 2018, the AFC Championship Game (44.1 million on Jan. 21). Super Bowl viewership peaked at 112.3 million from 10-10:15 p.m. ET during the game’s fourth quarter. Viewership for Sunday’s game marked a +20% increase from the prior Super Bowl between these two teams, a three-point Patriots’ victory in January 2005 (86.1 million viewers for Super Bowl XXXIX).
Sunday’s special post-Super Bowl telecast of “This Is Us” (9.3/32 in 18-49, 27.0 million viewers overall from 10:45-11:49 p.m. ET) has scored as NBC’s most-watched scripted show in more than 13 years, since “ER” the night of the “Friends” finale (28.4 million on May 6, 2004), while also ranking as the most-watched drama on any network in 10 years, since the 2008 post-Super Bowl episode of “House” (29.1 million). It was also the most-watched post-Super Bowl telecast in six years, since “The Voice” in 2012. The post-Super Bowl “This Is Us” set series records in total viewers and 18-49 and delivered the best non-sports results for any network since last February’s Academy Awards in both measures.
“This Is Us” surged +9.4 million persons or +53% above last year’s post-Super Bowl drama telecast in total viewers (26.972 million vs. 17.576 million on Feb. 5, 2017 from 11 p.m.-12:01 a.m. ET for Fox’s premiere of “24: Legacy”) and +52% in adults 18-49 (9.3 vs. 6.1). The last post-Super Bowl entertainment telecast to deliver a bigger overall audience was NBC’s Feb. 5, 2012 edition of “The Voice,” which averaged 37.6 million viewers.
In 18-49, it was NBC’s top-rated scripted series in nine years (since the post-Super Bowl episode of “The Office,” 11.0 on Feb. 1, 2009) and top-rated drama in more than 13 years (since “ER” on Nov. 11, 2004, 9.4).
The post-Super Bowl “This Is Us” beat the show’s prior series record in total viewers by more than +14.0 million persons or +108% (27.0 million vs. 12.9 million for the show’s second season premiere on Sept. 26, 2017, “live plus same day”) and topped its previous record in adult 18-49 rating by +138% (9.3 vs. 3.9 on Sept. 26, 2017). Versus the show’s season averages, the Feb. 4 “This Is Us” was up +16.7 million persons or +162% in total viewers (27.0 million vs. 10.3 million) and +232% in 18-49 (9.3 vs. 2.8).
L+7: The show’s prior telecast in its regular timeslot on Jan. 23 scored NBC’s biggest lifts in measurement history going from “live plus same day” to “live plus seven day” Nielsens in both total viewers and adults 18-49. It was also the biggest 18-49 L+7 increase on any broadcast network in more than two years. The Jan. 23 episode grew by +7.099 million viewers overall (9.480 million to 16.579 million) and +2.62 rating points or +102% in adults 18-49 (from a 2.57 to a 5.19) going from L+SD to L+7. The increase of +2.62 rating points is the biggest L+7 lift for any show on any broadcast network since December 2015 (“The Big Bang Theory,” +2.83 on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015).
“NBC NIGHTLY NEWS WITH LESTER HOLT” IS #1 FOR 85 STRAIGHT WEEKS
More Americans Watched NBC News’ Coverage of Trump’s State of the Union – Led by Holt – Than Any Other Network
Ahead of Super Bowl LII, Holt Anchored on the Ground from Minneapolis
Broadcast Continues Key Demo Winning Streak, Longest in More Than Four Years
#1 Most-Watched Among A25-54 and A18-49 Viewers for 130 of Last 131 Weeks
FEBRUARY 6, 2018 – “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt” is the #1 most-watched evening broadcast in the key news demo for the week of January 29, according to Nielsen Media Research data.
On Tuesday, January 30, Holt anchored “NBC Nightly News” from Washington D.C. and led the network’s State of the Union primetime coverage, winning as the #1 most-watched broadcast network across the board. Leading up to Super Bowl LII, Holt anchored the broadcast from Minneapolis: from Nicollet Mall on Friday, February 2 and inside U.S. Bank Stadium on Saturday, January 3. Last week’s broadcast also featured the first interview with the Hawaii resident who triggered the false missile alarm as well as exclusive reporting on the president’s gripes against FBI acting director Andrew McCabe, who stepped down Monday.
The broadcast continues its winning streak in the key demo, averaging 2.0 million A25-54 viewers and beating “ABC World News Tonight” by +116,000 viewers (+6%) and “CBS Evening News” by +583,000 viewers (+40%).
For 130 of the past 131 weeks, “Nightly News” is the most-watched among A18-49 viewers, averaging 1.4 million and topping ABC by +139,000 viewers (+11%) and CBS by +398,000 viewers (+39%).
8.8 million total viewers tuned in to “Nightly News” for the week of January 29 besting “CBS Evening News” by +1.9 million total viewers (+28%).
“Nightly News” continues as the #1 most-watched evening newscast season-to-date in the key demo, delivering its largest demo lead CBS in seven seasons.
The broadcast also continues to dominate its competition on social media with more followers on Facebook and a 1.5x advantage in Twitter engagement compared to “CBS Evening News.”
Follow “Nightly News” on Twitter and on Facebook for the latest, and tune in as Holt anchors live from Pyeongchang, South Korea beginning this Thursday, Feb. 9 for the 2018 Winter Olympics.
# # #
Weekly Highlights:
- “Nightly News” averaged 2.0 million A25-54 viewers, outperforming ABC by +116,000 viewers (+6%) and CBS by +583,000 (+40%).
- “Nightly News” has ranked #1 in A25-54 for 85 consecutive weeks.
- “Nightly News” marked the longest key demo winning streak in more than four years.
- “Nightly News” averaged 1.4 million A18-49 viewers, topping ABC by +139,000 (+11%) and CBS by +398,000 (+39%).
- Among A18-49 viewers, Nightly News has won 130 of the last 131 weeks.
- “Nightly News” averaged 8.8 million total viewers, beating CBS by +1.9 million (+28%).
Season Highlights:
- “Nightly News” is the #1 evening newscast this season in A25-54 and A18-49.
- “Nightly News” holds its largest A25-54 demo advantage over CBS in seven seasons.
Week of January 29 – February 2, 2018:
| Total Viewers | A25-54 Rating | A25-54 Viewers | A18-49 Rating | A18-49 Viewers | |
| NBC | 8.759 | 1.68 | 2.030 | 1.11 | 1.427 |
| CBS | 6.869 | 1.20 | 1.447 | 0.80 | 1.029 |
| ABC | 9.267 | 1.59 | 1.914 | 1.00 | 1.288 |
# # #
ABOUT NBC NIGHTLY NEWS WITH LESTER HOLT
NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt is the most-watched evening newscast in America, providing the very latest on the day’s top stories and going beyond the headlines to add context and analysis to the most pressing issues of our times. NBC Nightly News reaches more than 24 million people every week through its broadcast and millions more through NBCNews.com, the Nightly News app, and social media platforms. Lester Holt is the anchor, and Sam Singal is the executive producer.
NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt is the most-watched evening newscast in America, providing the very latest on the day’s top stories and going beyond the headlines to add context and analysis to the most pressing issues of our times. NBC Nightly News reaches more than 24 million people every week through its broadcast and millions more through NBCNews.com, the Nightly News app, and social media platforms. Lester Holt is the anchor, and Sam Singal is the executive producer.
‘TODAY’ IS #1 MORNING SHOW SEASON-TO-DATE
TODAY Tops GMA in Key Demo for 110 Straight Weeks, Its Best Demo Streak in More Than 5 Years
TODAY Wins A18-49 Demo for 130 Consecutive Weeks
TODAY Gains 147,000 Total Viewers Over GMA Vs. a Year Ago
NEW YORK – February 6, 2018 – NBC News’ TODAY is currently #1 in total viewers, A25-54 and A18-49 for the 2017-2018 season to date. TODAY also topped the competition in the key A25-54 demo once again for 110 straight weeks, marking its best streak in over five years. Additionally, TODAY won the A18-49 demo for a consecutive 130 weeks. TODAY also gains 147,000 total viewers over GMA, up 62% from a year ago.
Additionally, Megyn Kelly TODAY at 9 a.m. and TODAY with Kathie Lee and Hoda at 10 a.m. were both up week-to-week in total viewers (+1% and +5%, respectively), and both hours held steady in A25-54 with 10 a.m. improving by 1% from the week prior.
TODAY HIGHLIGHTS:
| Net | HH Rtg | HH Shr | P2+ Imps | P18-49 Rtg | P18-49 Imps | P25-54 Rtg | P25-54 Imps |
| TODAY | 3.04 | 12 | 4,231 | 0.92 | 1,186 | 1.30 | 1,573 |
| CBS THIS MORNING | 2.59 | 10 | 3,599 | 0.60 | 774 | 0.85 | 1,026 |
| GOOD MORNING AMERICA | 3.11 | 13 | 4,321 | 0.79 | 1,021 | 1.17 | 1,412 |
TODAY is currently #1 in P2+, A25-54, & A18-49 for the 2017-18 season-to-date
TODAY averaged 1.573 million A25-54 viewers, leading GMA by +161,000 (+11%) and CBS This Morning by +547,000 (+53%)
- TODAY has ranked #1 among A25-54 viewers for 110 consecutive weeks (best streak in over five years) and 126 of the last 127 weeks
- TODAY won all five mornings among A25-54 viewers
- TODAY delivered a 1.30 A25-54 rating, +0.13 points ahead of GMA and +0.45 points more than CBS
TODAY averaged 1.186 million A18-49 viewers, +165,000 (+16%) more than GMA and +412,000 (+53%) higher than CBS
- Among A18-49 viewers, TODAY has now posted 130 consecutive weekly wins and has finished #1 in 136 of the last 138 weeks and 147 of the last 151 weeks
- Compared to the same week last season, TODAY improved its A18-49 lead over GMA by 16% (+165,000 vs. +142,000 last year)
- TODAY has now ranked #1 among A18-49 viewers for 78 consecutive daily broadcasts
- TODAY’s 0.92 A18-49 rating led GMA by +0.13 points and CBS by +0.32 points
TODAY averaged 4.231 million total viewers, leading CBS This Morning by +632,000 (+18%)
- TODAY’s total viewer gap vs. GMA was 62% closer than year ago (-90,000 vs. -237,000 last year).
- TODAY’s total viewer advantage over CBS was 9% higher than the same week last year (+632,000 vs. +581,000 prior year)
SEASON-TO-DATE
TODAY ranks #1 among A25-54 viewers
- Leads GMA by +175,000 and CBS by +590,000
TODAY ranks #1 among A18-49 viewers
- Leads GMA by +204,000 and CBS by +460,000
TODAY ranks #1 among total viewers
- Leads GMA by +8,000; best STD P2+ margin vs. GMA since 2011-12.
- Leads CBS by +720,000
TODAY DIGITAL HIGHLIGHTS:
TODAY reached more consumers than GMA on Yahoo with over 35 million unique visitors turning to TODAY.com in December for exclusive interviews and the latest lifestyle, parenting and entertainment news, according to recent data from comScore. For 50 consecutive months (59 out of the last 60), TODAY.com has reached more mobile consumers than GMA on Yahoo. TODAY.com has gone from parity in mobile unique visitors in September 2013 to delivering more than 3.8x GMA on Yahoo’s mobile visitor number in December 2017.
‘THIS IS US’ SCORES AS NBC’S MOST-WATCHED SCRIPTED SHOW SINCE ‘ER’ THE NIGHT OF THE ‘FRIENDS’ FINALE AND TOP DRAMA ON ANY NET IN 10 YEARS
At 27 Million Viewers, “This Is Us” Is the Most-Watched Post-Super Bowl Telecast in Six Years, Jumping +9.4 Million Viewers Vs. the Year-Ago Post-Super Bowl Drama “24: Legacy”
“This Is Us” Sets Series Record, Scores as Primetime’s Top Non-Sports Telecast on Any Net Since Last February’s Oscars
The Night’s Special “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” Grabs 8.4 Million Viewers, Up +5.8 Million Vs. the Show’s Season Average To Make This Its Fourth Most Watched Telecast Ever
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — Feb. 5, 2018 — Sunday’s special post-Super Bowl telecast of “This Is Us” has scored as NBC’s most-watched scripted show in more than 13 years, since “ER” the night of the “Friends” finale, while also ranking as the most-watched drama on any network in 10 years, since the 2008 post-Super Bowl episode of “House.”
With an average 27.0 million viewers, it’s the most-watched post-Super Bowl telecast in six years, since “The Voice” in 2012.
And at 12:24 a.m. ET, a special post-Super Bowl edition of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” delivered 8.4 million viewers, a gain of +5.8 million persons versus the show’s season average, making this Fallon’s fourth most watched “Tonight Show” ever.
NBC’s 10:45-11:49 p.m. ET post-Super Bowl telecast of “This Is Us” averaged 26.976 million viewers overall and a 9.3 rating in adults 18-49, according to “fast official” ratings from Nielsen Media Research, setting series records in both measures and delivering the best non-sports results for any network since last February’s Academy Awards.
“This Is Us” surged +9.4 million persons or +53% above last year’s post-Super Bowl drama telecast in total viewers (26.976 million vs. 17.576 million on Feb. 5, 2017 from 11 p.m.-12:01 a.m. ET for Fox’s premiere of “24: Legacy”) and +52% in adults 18-49 (9.3 vs. 6.1).
The last post-Super Bowl entertainment telecast to deliver a bigger overall audience was NBC’s Feb. 5, 2012 edition of “The Voice,” which averaged 37.611 million.
It’s the most-watched scripted show on NBC since the May 6, 2004 telecast of “ER” (28.4 million) which followed the “Friends” finale. In 18-49, it’s NBC’s top-rated scripted series in nine years (since the post-Super Bowl episode of “The Office,” 11.0 on Feb. 1, 2009) and top-rated drama in more than 13 years (since “ER’ on Nov. 11, 2004, 9.4).
It’s the most-watched drama on any network since the Feb. 3, 2008 post-Super Bowl telecast of Fox’s “House” (29.1 million).
Last night’s “This Is Us” beat the show’s prior series record in total viewers by 14.0 million persons or +109% (26.976 million vs. 12.938 million for the show’s second season premiere on Sept. 26, 2017, “live plus same day”) and topped its previous record in adult 18-49 rating by +138% (9.3 vs. 3.9 on Sept. 26, 2017).
Versus the show’s season averages, last night’s “This Is Us” is up +16.7 million persons or +162% in total viewers (26.976 vs. 10.299 million) and +232% in 18-49 (9.3 vs. 2.8).
Note that “This Is Us” will increase its viewership dramatically through DVR time-shifting and VOD. The show’s prior telecast in its regular timeslot on Jan. 23 scored NBC’s biggest lifts in measurement history going from “live plus same day” to “live plus seven day” Nielsens in both total viewers and adults 18-49. It was also the biggest 18-49 L+7 increase on any broadcast network in more than two years.
The Jan. 23 episode grew by +7.099 million viewers overall (9.480 million to 16.579 million) and +2.62 rating points or +102% in adults 18-49 (from a 2.57 to a 5.19) going from L+SD to L+7. The increase of +2.62 rating points is the biggest L+7 lift for any show on any broadcast network since December 2015 (“The Big Bang Theory,” +2.83 on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015).
The 12:24-1:35 a.m. ET post-Super Bowl edition of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” delivered 8.405 million viewers overall and a 2.61 rating in adults 18-49, according to “fast official” ratings from Nielsen Media Research, soaring +5.8 million persons or +224% above the show’s season average in total viewers (8.405 million vs. 2.596 million) and +308% in adults 18-49 (2.61 vs. 0.64).
“Tonight” jumped +3.5 million persons or +70% versus the most recent post- Super Bowl late-night telecast in total viewers (8.405 million vs. 4.934 million viewers overall for “The Late Late Show with James Corden” on Feb. 7, 2016) and +50% in 18-49 (2.61 vs. 1.74).
It’s the fourth most-watched telecast ever of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” behind only two episodes during the show’s premiere week of post-Olympic telecasts, Feb. 17 and Feb. 21, 2014, and the prior post-Super Bowl edition in 2015. In 18-49, it’s the fifth highest rated episode, behind three premiere-week programs from February 2014 and the 2015 post-Super Bowl telecast.
NBC also saw strong results from the late news after the Eagles-Patriots game on its local stations, with those stations up +7% in metered-market households versus their ratings from three years ago, the last time NBC carried the Super Bowl (with an average 9.5 rating last night versus an 8.9 on Feb. 1, 2015 in the 56 markets metered by Nielsen). In the key news demo of adults 25-54, NBC stations were up +15% in the 25 markets with local people meters (6.1 vs. 5.3).
NBC’S SUPER BOWL LII POSTS TOTAL AUDIENCE DELIVERY AVERAGE OF 106 MILLION VIEWERS
NBC’s Eagles-Patriots Super Bowl LII Telecast Ranks as Top 10 Show in U.S. TV History
NBC’s TV Audience Tops Prior Eagles-Patriots Super Bowl By 20%
NBC Sports Digital Sets Super Bowl Records Averaging More Than 2 Million Viewers per Minute & Peaking at 3+ Million Viewers
Post-Super Bowl Episodes of “This is Us” and “Tonight Show” Post Big Numbers
MINNEAPOLIS – Feb. 5, 2018 – Super Bowl LII on NBC, featuring the Philadelphia Eagles winning their first Super Bowl with a 41-33 victory over the New England Patriots, posted a Total Audience Delivery of 106 million viewers, across all platforms – NBC, NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app, NBC.com ‘TV Everywhere,’ Universo, En Vivo app, NFL.com, NFL Mobile from Verizon, the Yahoo Sports app, and go90, according to Fast National data released today by The Nielsen Company, and digital data from Adobe Analytics.
The numbers do not include Out Of Home Viewers, which will not be available until Thursday from Nielsen. OOH will increase the audience measured by several million people.
The game (6:31-10:25 p.m. ET) averaged 103.4 million viewers on NBC, which ranks as a Top 10 show in U.S. TV history, and will be by far the most-watched show of the year, more than doubling viewership for the AFC Championship Game (44.1 million on 1/21/18), which will likely end 2018 as the No. 2 program.
Viewership peaked at 112.3 million from 10-10:15 p.m. ET during the fourth quarter.
“With an all-time Top 10 audience, the Super Bowl once again proved that it’s the most dominant and consistent property on television,” said Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Broadcasting & Sports. “Super Bowl LII delivered for all of our partners, and provided us with the unique opportunity to give America a look ahead at the Olympic Winter Games, which begin live on NBC this Thursday night.”
Viewership for last night’s game marked a 20% increase from the prior Super Bowl between these two teams, a three-point Patriots’ victory in January 2005 (86.1 million viewers for Super Bowl XXXIX). Super Bowl LII on NBC delivered a household rating of 43.1 with a 68 share – up 5% from the prior Eagles-Patriots Super Bowl (41.1/62)
MOST-WATCHED PROGRAMS IN U.S. TELEVISION HISTORY*
1. 114.4 Million – Super Bowl XLIX, NBC (Feb. 2015)
2. 112.2 Million – Super Bowl XLVIII, FOX (Feb. 2014)
3. 111.9 Million – Super Bowl 50, CBS (Feb. 2016)
4. 111.3 Million – Super Bowl XLVI, NBC (Feb. 2012)
5. 111.3 Million – Super Bowl LI, FOX (Feb. 2017)
6. 111.0 Million – Super Bowl XLV, FOX (Feb. 2011)
7. 108.7 Million – Super Bowl XLVII, CBS (Feb. 2013)
8. 106.5 Million – Super Bowl XLIV, CBS (Feb. 2010)
9. 106.0 Million – M.A.S.H. Finale, CBS (Feb. 1983)
10. 103.4 Million – Super Bowl LII, NBC (Last night’s game)
*for Super Bowls, includes only full game telecasts
NBC-TV HALF HOUR VIEWERSHIP (Times ET):
6:31-7, 89.4 million
7-7:30, 98.5 million
7:30-8, 102.7 million
8-8:30, 106.4 million
8:30-9, 106.4 million
9-9:30, 106.5 million
9:30-10, 108.5 million
10-10:25, 109.2 million
NBC PREGAME & POST-GAME SHOWS UP FROM LAST YEAR:
- From 6-6:31 p.m. ET, NBC’s Super Bowl LII Pre-Game Show averaged 64.3 million viewers, a five percent increase from the similar time period last year (61.3 million viewers).
- The NBC Super Bowl LII Post-Game Show (10:25-10:45 p.m. ET) averaged 73.5 million viewers – the best viewership for a Super Bowl postgame since 2014 and up 20% from last year (61.1 million viewers).
SUPER BOWL LII IS MOST STREAMED SUPER BOWL EVER:
Super Bowl LII is the most live-streamed Super Bowl ever, delivering an Average Minute Audience (AMA) of 2.02 million viewers via the NBC Sports app, NBCSports.com, NBC.com ‘TV Everywhere,’ En Vivo app, NFL.com, NFL Mobile from Verizon, the Yahoo Sports app, and go90. Last night’s record-setting live stream peaked at 3.1 million concurrent streams.
NBC Sports Digital’s live stream of Super Bowl LII, powered by Playmaker Media, ranks as its most streamed single game ever. Fans consumed 633.7 million live streaming minutes of Super Bowl Sunday coverage across 6.1 million unique devices, up 185% and 112%, respectively, from NBC’s last Super Bowl live stream in February 2015. With 592.1 million minutes, (excluding the post-game NBC Sports stream of “This is Us”), this is also the largest total minutes on record for a Super Bowl. The in-game average minute audience of 2.02 million is up 152% from NBC’s last Super Bowl live stream in February 2015 (800,000 AMA).
“We are excited by the record-breaking consumption as well as the quality of the streams we delivered to football fans,” said Rick Cordella, EVP and General Manager, Digital Media, NBC Sports Group. “We believe this is the largest domestic streaming sports event in history.”
Beginning this Wednesday night at 11 p.m. ET, NBC Olympics will live stream 1,800 hours of the XXIII Olympic Winter Games from PyeongChang, South Korea, a record for a Winter Olympics. PyeongChang will be the first Winter Games to offer live streaming of the NBC broadcast network, including primetime and primetime-plus programming.
HALFTIME SHOW FEATURING JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE: The Pepsi Super Bowl LII Halftime Show featuring Justin Timberlake, during the 8:15-8:30 p.m. ET quarter hour, was watched by an average of 106.6 million viewers.
“THIS IS US” AND “TONIGHT SHOW” DELIVER DOMINANT NUMBERS: NBC’s post-Super Bowl telecast of “This is Us” scored as the network’s most-watched scripted show in more than 13 years, since “ER” on the night of the “Friends” finale. It also ranked as the most-watched drama on any network in 10 years, since the 2008 post-Super Bowl episode of “House.”
With an average 27.0 million viewers, it’s the most-watched post-Super Bowl telecast in six years, since “The Voice” in 2012.
“This Is Us” surged +9.4 million persons or +53% above last year’s post-Super Bowl drama telecast in total viewers (27.0 million vs. 17.6 million Fox’s premiere of “24: Legacy”) and +52% in adults 18-49 (with a 9.3 rating vs. a 6.1).
And at 12:24 a.m. ET, a special post-Super Bowl edition of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” delivered 8.4 million viewers, a gain of +5.8 million persons versus the show’s season average, making this Fallon’s fourth most watched “Tonight Show” ever.
UNIVERSO SUPER BOWL VIEWERSHIP UP 48% FROM 2015: Universo, the fastest growing Hispanic entertainment cable network, averaged 543,000 viewers for Super Bowl LII – marking a 48% increase from the network’s prior Super Bowl telecast (368,000 viewers for Super Bowl XLIX in Feb. 2015). In addition, Super Bowl LII is Universo’s most-viewed program outside of soccer in the channel’s history.
BOSTON, PHILADELPHIA & TWIN CITIES LOCAL RATINGS NOTES:
- The Eagles’ 56.2/81 rating in Philadelphia ranks as the market’s best for a Super Bowl.
- The 55.9/81 in Boston ranks fourth among 10 Patriots’ Super Bowl appearances.
- Hosted by U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, the local rating for Super Bowl LII in the Twin Cities was a 54.9/82 – besting by 14% the 48.0/70 rating for the area’s prior Super Bowl (Super Bowl XXVI in January 1992).
TOP 10 METERED MARKETS FOR SUPER BOWL LII:
1. Buffalo, 56.4/78
2. Philadelphia, 56.2/81
3. Boston, 55.9/81
4. Minneapolis-St. Paul, 54.9/82
4. Pittsburgh, 54.9/73
6. Norfolk, 53.9/73
7. New Orleans, 53.0/72
8. Providence, 52.5/77
9. Milwaukee, 52.3/73
10. Seattle, 52.2/79
10. Kansas City, 52.2/73
NBC POSTS 47.4/70 OVERNIGHT RATING FOR EAGLES-PATRIOTS SUPER BOWL LII THRILLER
Rating Peaked at 52.2/74 in Fourth Quarter
Super Bowl LII Overnight is Most Dominant Ever Compared to NFL Playoffs – With 143% Advantage over This Year’s 10 Prior Postseason Games
Super Bowl LII Up 9% from Overnight for Prior Philadelphia-New England Super Bowl
Philadelphia & Boston Both Top 55 Local Ratings, With Philadelphia Registering Its Highest Super Bowl Overnight
Twin Cities Posts 54.9/82 Local Rating, Up 14% from Prior Super Bowl in Minneapolis in January 1992
MINNEAPOLIS – Feb. 5, 2018 – Super Bowl LII, which featured the Philadelphia Eagles winning their first Super Bowl with a thrilling 41-33 victory over the defending champion New England Patriots, delivered a 47.4/70 overnight rating/share on NBC (not including digital), according to data released today by The Nielsen Company.
Last night’s high-scoring game, highlighted by the most yards in any game in NFL history, peaked with a 52.2/74 overnight rating in the fourth quarter (10-10:15 p.m. ET).
- NBC’s 47.4/70 for Super Bowl LII is expected to rank as the No. 1 show of the year, far outdistancing any other program on television, and producing the only overnight rating above a 28 since last year’s Super Bowl (27.3/50 for AFC Championship Game on Jan. 21, 2018).
- The Super Bowl’s 47.4/70 overnight on NBC tops by 143% the average overnight rating for this year’s NFL Playoffs (19.5/36 for 10 games) – marking the greatest margin ever for a Super Bowl over that season’s playoffs (prior best: NBC’s Super Bowl XLIX in 2015 with a 128% advantage).
- Last night’s 47.4/70 is nine percent higher than the overnight for the prior Eagles-Patriots Super Bowl, a three-point New England victory in February 2005 (43.4/63 on FOX).
- The Super Bowl LII overnight ranks ninth among all Super Bowls and is the third best in the 19 Super Bowls NBC has televised.
- The halftime performance by Justin Timberlake (8:15-8:30 p.m. ET) delivered a 48.1/70 overnight.
- The Eagles’ 56.2/81 rating in Philadelphia ranks as the market’s best for a Super Bowl.
- The 55.9/81 in Boston ranks fourth among 10 Patriots’ Super Bowl appearances.
- Hosted by U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, the local rating for Super Bowl LII in the Twin Cities was a 54.9/82 – besting by 14% the 48.0/70 rating for the area’s prior Super Bowl (Super Bowl XXVI in January 1992).
SECOND HALF OF SUPER BOWL LII OUTRATES FIRST HALF BY 8%: The second half of Super Bowl LII (8:30-10:30 p.m. ET) posted a 49.3/71, topping by eight percent the rating for the first half (45.5/69 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. ET).
TOP 10 METERED MARKETS FOR SUPER BOWL LII:
1. Buffalo, 56.4/78
2. Philadelphia, 56.2/81
3. Boston, 55.9/81
4. Minneapolis-St. Paul, 54.9/82
4. Pittsburgh, 54.9/73
6. Norfolk, 53.9/73
7. New Orleans, 53.0/72
8. Providence, 52.5/77
9. Milwaukee, 52.3/73
10. Seattle, 52.2/79
10. Kansas City, 52.2/73
Fast national ratings and Total Audience Delivery for Super Bowl LII will be issued late this afternoon.
NOTE: Fast Affiliate metrics issued at 11am ET will not be accurate as they do not include viewers in Mountain and Pacific Time zones watching NBC’s coverage,
*Overnight ratings measure the top 56 U.S. metered markets.
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