nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, may 7, 2011)

Here are the highlights of the eight ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night:

Coverage of the "NBA Playoffs: Miami at Boston, Game 3" (7.08 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.9, #1) had no trouble putting ABC (7.08 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.9, #1) on top this past Saturday.

FOX (6.37 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.8, #2) then claimed the silver with its coverage of the "NASCAR: Darlington 500" (6.37 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.8, #2).

Next up was CBS (5.43 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T3) with encores of "NCIS" (5.24 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.7, #7) and "CSI: Miami" (5.10 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.9, #5) followed by a new "48 Hours Mystery" (5.93 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.2, #T3).

And finally, a new "Chase" (3.62 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.8, #6) led into repeats of "Law & Order: Los Angeles" (3.65 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.6, #8) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (4.99 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 1.2, #T3) on NBC (4.09 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T3).

In late-night metered market ratings (via NBC's press release):

"Saturday Night Live" (5.3/15 in metered-market households), hosted by Tina Fey with musical guest Ellie Goulding, dominated its time period. "SNL" was the #1 non-sports telecast of the night in metered-market households. This is the top "SNL" rating in metered-market households since March 5.

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 2.8 rating, 12 share in adults 18-49, making it the #1 non-sports telecast of the night. This is the highest "SNL" rating in the Local People Meters since March 12.

Here are the highlights of the eight ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (5/8/10):

FOX (6.85 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.2, #1) and its annual coverage of the "NASCAR: Darlington 500" (6.85 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.2, #1) took home top honors on Saturday.

ABC (4.55 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.6, #2) then claimed the silver with its coverage of the "NBA Playoff: Lakers at Jazz" (4.55 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 1.6, #2).

Next up was CBS (5.67 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.1, #3) with repeats of "NCIS" (5.31 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T6), "Criminal Minds" (5.90 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.1, #5) and a new "48 Hours Mystery" (5.81 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.2, #4).

And finally, second runs of "Parenthood" (2.10 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.6, #8), "Law & Order" (3.92 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T6) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (5.67 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.3, #3) on NBC (3.90 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.9, #4) rounded out the evening.

Source: Nielsen Media Research