nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for tuesday, november 6, 2012)

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

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to the nature of live election coverage, Fast Nationals for ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC are approximate.]

NBC (12.56 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 4.6, #1) was the top election results draw last night with "NBC News Special: 2012 Election Night" (12.56 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 4.6, #1).

The silver then went to ABC (11.15 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 3.8, #2) and its "ABC News' Your Voice, Your Vote: Election Night Coverage" (11.15 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 3.8, #2).

Next up was CBS (8.42 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 2.7, #3) and its presentation of "Campaign 2012: CBS News Coverage of Election Night" (8.42 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 2.7, #3).

Meanwhile, FOX (4.95 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 2.0, #4) offered up its "You Decide 2012" (4.95 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 2.0, #4) results.

And finally, repeats of "Arrow" (1.81 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.6, #5) and "Emily Owens, MD" (1.28 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.4, #6) on The CW (1.55 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.5, #5) closed out the night. In the netlet's target demo (women 18-34), "Arrow" delivered a 0.6 rating while "Emily" posted a 0.4 rating.

Here are the highlights of the 14 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (11/8/11):

CBS (15.84 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 3.3, #1) was the network to beat on Tuesday with its usual lineup of "NCIS" (20.31 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 4.1, #1), "NCIS: Los Angeles" (15.59 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 3.4, #3) and "Unforgettable" (11.62 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 2.4, #T7).

FOX (6.30 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 2.9, #2) then claimed the silver with fresh installments of "Glee" (6.90 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 3.1, #4), "New Girl" (6.80 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 3.5, #2) and "Raising Hope" (4.62 million viewers, #12; adults 18-49: 2.1, #9).

Next up was NBC (6.28 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 2.3, #3) with season high numbers from "The Biggest Loser 12" (6.81 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 2.4, #T7) and a new "Parenthood" (5.24 million viewers, #11; adults 18-49: 2.0, #10).

Meanwhile, ABC (10.41 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 2.2, #4) offered up its mix of "Last Man Standing" (9.21 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 2.6, #6), "Man Up!" (6.22 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 1.7, #T11), "Dancing With the Stars" (14.85 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 2.7, #5) and "In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts: All Access Nashville" (8.64 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 1.7, #T11).

And finally, new episodes of "90210" (1.55 million viewers, #14; adults 18-49: 0.8, #13) and "Ringer" (1.69 million viewers, #13; adults 18-49: 0.7, #14) on The CW (1.62 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.8, #5) rounded out the night. In the netlet's target demo (women 18-34), "90210" delivered a 1.4 rating while "Ringer" posted a 1.1 rating.

Week-to-week changes (adults 18-49):
+14.29% - 90210
+6.90% - Glee
+5.13% - NCIS
+4.35% - The Biggest Loser 12
+4.35% - Unforgettable
0.00% - Last Man Standing
0.00% - NCIS: Los Angeles
0.00% - New Girl
-3.57% - Dancing With the Stars
-5.56% - Man Up!
-9.09% - Parenthood
-12.50% - Ringer
-16.00% - Raising Hope

Year-to-year changes (adults 18-49):
+61.54% - Raising Hope (vs. Running Wilde)
+34.62% - New Girl (vs. Raising Hope)
+18.18% - Last Man Standing (vs. No Ordinary Family)
+9.09% - Unforgettable (vs. The Good Wife)
+5.13% - NCIS
+3.03% - NCIS: Los Angeles
0.00% - 90210 (vs. One Tree Hill)
0.00% - The Biggest Loser 12
0.00% - Ringer (vs. Life Unexpected)
-4.76% - Parenthood
-20.59% - Dancing With the Stars
-22.73% - Man Up! (vs. No Ordinary Family)
-31.11% - Glee

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

In Nielsen's 56 metered markets, household results were: "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," 2.6/7; CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman," 2.8/8; and ABC's combo of "Nightline," 3.2/8; and "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 1.7/6.

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, adult 18-49 results were: "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," 0.9/4; "Late Show," 0.8/4; "Nightline," 0.9/4; and "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 0.5/3.

At 12:35 a.m., "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" (1.3/5 in metered-market households) trailed CBS's "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (1.4/5). In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Late Night" (0.5/4 in 18-49) topped "Late Late Show" (0.4/3).

At 1:35 a.m., "Last Call with Carson Daly" averaged a 0.9/4 in metered-market households with an encore and a 0.4/3 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.

Source: Nielsen Media Research