nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, may 5, 2012)

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

FOX (2.25 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.0, #1) took home top demo honors on Saturday with its coverage of the "UFC on FOX #3" (2.25 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 1.0, #2).

CBS (5.57 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.9, #2) then was the most-watched network thanks to repeats of "NCIS: Los Angeles" (4.31 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #6) and "Person of Interest" (5.71 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T3) plus a new "48 Hours Mystery" (6.68 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.3, #1).

Next up was ABC (2.95 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.8, #3) with an encore of "Shark Tank" (3.19 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T3) and the feature "Hancock" (2.82 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T3).

And finally, the season finale of "Escape Routes" (1.23 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.3, #8) was a rebroadcast of "The Voice" (1.96 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.5, #7) on NBC (1.72 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.4, #4) closed out the night.

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

"Saturday Night Live," with host Eli Manning and musical guest Rihanna (5.2/13 in metered-market households), dominated its time period with the #1 rating of the night in metered-market households, ahead of all primetime telecasts on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. This is the highest-rated "SNL" in metered-market households since March 3 (with host Lindsay Lohan and musical guest Jack White)

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 3.1 rating, 14 share in adults 18-49, the show's highest LPM rating since March 3. "SNL" was the night's #1 program in the Local People Meters, ahead of all primetime telecasts on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. Versus the same night last year, "SNL" is up 14 percent in the Local People Meters (3.2 vs. 2.8).

[NOTE: Today's numbers are courtesy of TVMediaInsights.com due to delays from our usual sources.]

Here are the highlights of the eight ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (5/7/11):

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.

Source: Nielsen Media Research