nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, september 29, 2012)

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

ABC (4.10 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.2, #1) was the top draw on Saturday with its coverage of "College Football: Wisconsin at Nebraska" (4.10 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.2, #1).

FOX (3.57 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.1, #2) then took home the silver with its own "College Football: Texas at Oklahoma St." (3.57 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 1.1, #2) coverage.

Next up was CBS (4.22 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.8, #3) with encores of "Vegas" (4.21 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.9, #4) and "Hawaii Five-0" (3.64 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.7, #6) followed by the season premiere of "48 Hours" (4.82 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.0, #3).

And finally, repeats of "Revolution" (2.62 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.5, #7) and a two-hour "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (4.03 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.8, #5) on NBC (3.56 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.7, #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 Mick Jagger and musical guests Mick Jagger featuring Arcade Fire, Foo Fighters & Jeff Beck (3.6/9 in metered-market households), dominated its time period. This is the highest metered-market rating for an "SNL" rebroadcast since March 24 (with a telecast hosted by Anna Faris with musical guest Drake). In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, the "Saturday Night Live" rebroadcast averaged a 1.8 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49. The 1.8 matches the high for an "SNL" encore since March 31 (with an edition hosted by Katy Perry with musical guest Robyn).

· "Saturday Night Live" was the #1 telecast of the night on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in the Local People Meters, outscoring all primetime programs on those networks.

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

Here are the highlights of the six ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (10/1/11):

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).

Source: Nielsen Media Research