nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, october 15, 2011)

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

FOX (7.51 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.1, #1) wrapped its coverage of the "ALCS, Game 6" (7.51 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.1, #1) on top on Saturday.

ABC (5.03 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.5, #2) then took home the silver with its broadcast of the "NASCAR Sprint Cup Series from Charlotte" (5.03 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.5, #2).

Next up was CBS (3.86 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #3) and its mix of "Two and a Half Men" (3.59 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T4), the relocated "How to Be a Gentleman" (2.43 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T6), "CSI: Miami" (3.81 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T6) and "48 Hours Mystery" (4.75 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T4).

And finally, encores of "Harry's Law" (3.11 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.4, #9), "Prime Suspect" (3.62 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.6, #8) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (4.79 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.1, #3) on NBC (3.84 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.7, #4) rounded out the night.

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

"Saturday Night Live" (4.8/12 in metered-market households), hosted by Anna Faris with musical guest Drake, dominated its time period.

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 2.6 rating, 11 share in adults 18-49, tying it the #1 telecast of the night with Fox's coverage of the baseball playoffs and ahead of all other primetime programs on ABC, CBS or NBC.

Here are the highlights of the eight ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (10/16/10):

FOX (5.75 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.7, #1) pulled out a victory on Saturday with the start of its "NLCS, Game 1" (5.75 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.7, #1) coverage.

Second place then went to ABC (5.12 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.4, #2) with its presentation of "Bank of America 500 at Charlotte" (5.12 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.4, #2).

Next up was CBS (5.06 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.0, #3) with repeats of "CSI: NY" (4.45 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.9, #6), "The Mentalist" (5.29 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.0, #5) and a new "48 Hours Mystery" (5.44 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.1, #4).

And finally, the Saturday premiere of "Outlaw" (3.54 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.6, #8) lead into repeats of "Law & Order: Los Angeles" (3.46 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.7, #7) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (4.76 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 1.3, #3) on NBC (3.92 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.9, #4).

Source: Nielsen Media Research