nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, october 1, 2011)

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

CBS (7.65 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.7, #1) shot to the top spot on Saturday with its annual primetime "SEC College Football" (7.65 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.7, #1) coverage.

ABC (5.61 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.8, #2) then settle for second place with its weekly "Saturday Night College Football" (5.61 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.8, #2) franchise.

Next up was FOX (2.87 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.9, #3) with a rebroadcast of the "Terra Nova" (2.87 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.9, #4) premiere.

And finally, repeats of "Harry's Law" (4.10 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.5, #6), "Prime Suspect" (4.56 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.6, #5) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (5.15 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.0, #3) on NBC (4.60 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.5, #4) rounded out the night.

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

"Saturday Night Live" (5.2/13 in metered-market households), hosted by Melissa McCarthy with musical guest Lady Antebellum, dominated its time period, delivering the #1 rating of the night ahead of all primetime telecasts on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. Versus the prior week's season premiere, "SNL" is up 2 percent in metered-market households (5.2/13 vs. 5.1/13).

Versus the same night last year, "Saturday Night Live" is up 8 percent in metered-market households (5.2/13 vs. 4.8/12).

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 2.7 rating, 12 share in adults 18-49, making it the #1 telecast of the night ahead of all primetime programs on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox. Versus the prior week's season premiere, "SNL" is up 4 percent in the Local People Meters (2.7/12 vs. 2.6/12).

Versus the same night last year, "Saturday Night Live" is up 8 percent in the Local People Meters (2.7/12 vs. 2.5/11).

Here are the highlights of the nine ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (10/2/10):

CBS (8.55 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.9, #1) was the network to beat on Saturday with its coverage of the "SEC on CBS: Florida @ Alabama" (8.55 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.9, #1).

FOX (4.54 million viewers, #T2; adults 18-49: 1.4, #2) once again had to settle for second place with its usual mix of "Cops" (4.62 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.3, #T4) and "America's Most Wanted" (4.45 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 1.4, #T2).

Next up was ABC (3.99 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.3, #3) with its own "Saturday Night College Football" (3.99 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 1.3, #T4) coverage.

And finally, repeats of "The Event" (3.31 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.7, #7), "Law & Order: Los Angeles" (4.46 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.9, #6) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (5.85 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.4, #T2) on NBC (4.54 million viewers, #T2; adults 18-49: 1.0, #4) rounded out the evening.

And in late-night, a new "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 4.8 household rating, 12 share in the metered markets.

Source: Nielsen Media Research