nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, august 18, 2012)

Here are the highlights of the 11 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night:

CBS (5.34 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.2, #1) topped a night of repeats with its mix of "Person of Interest" (4.49 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T6), "Criminal Minds" (5.70 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.3, #T1) and "48 Hours Mystery" (5.82 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.3, #T1).

ABC (3.98 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T2) then snagged the silver with its presentation of "The Devil Wears Prada" (3.89 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 1.0, #5) alongside a repeat of "Castle" (4.11 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T6).

Next up was FOX (3.20 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T2) with encores of "Cops" (3.66 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 1.1, #4), "Cops" (4.09 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 1.2, #3) and "Mobbed" (2.52 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T8).

And finally, rebroadcasts of "America's Got Talent" (2.68 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.7, #11), "Stars Earn Stripes" (2.58 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T8) and another "Stars Earn Stripes" (2.43 million viewers, #11; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T8) on NBC (2.56 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.8, #4) closed out the night.

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

·An encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live," with host Jason Segal and musical guest Florence + The Machine (2.5/6 in metered-market households), dominated its time period. In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 1.2 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49, making it the night's #1 program in the Local People Meters on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, ahead of all primetime telecasts on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox.

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

Here are the highlights of the 10 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (8/20/11):

NBC (4.12 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.2, #1) got a boost on Saturday thanks to its coverage of "USA Gymnastics: 2011 Visa Championships" (3.94 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.2, #T1) and a repeat of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (4.48 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.2, #T1).

FOX (3.05 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.0, #2) then took home the silver with encores of "Cops" (3.68 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 1.1, #4), "American Dad" (2.45 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.9, #7) and "The Cleveland Show" (2.37 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T8).

Next up was CBS (5.02 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.9, #3) with its all-repeat mix of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (3.81 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.5, #10), "Criminal Minds" (5.52 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T5) and "48 Hours Mystery" (5.75 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.2, #T1).

And finally, ABC (3.22 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #4) served up rebroadcasts of "Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension" (2.87 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T8) and "America's Funniest Home Videos" (3.92 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T5).

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

Not available at press time.

Source: Nielsen Media Research