nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, december 8, 2012)

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

FOX (3.41 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.6, #1) was the top demo draw on Saturday with its coverage of "UFC on FOX 5" (3.41 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 1.6, #1).

CBS (4.51 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.1, #2) then snagged the number two spot with its mix of "Frosty the Snowman" (4.17 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.1, #T3), "Frosty Returns" (4.08 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.1, #T3), "The Flight Before Christmas" (3.98 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.0, #5) and "48 Hours" (5.42 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.2, #2).

Next up was ABC (2.64 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.5, #3) and its lineup of "The Borrowers" (2.45 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.5, #8) and "Castle" (3.02 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T6).

And finally, "The American Giving Awards" (1.61 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.3, #9) and a repeat of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2.98 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T6) on NBC (2.07 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.4, #4) closed out the evening.

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

* "Saturday Night Live," with host Jamie Foxx and musical guest Ne-Yo, (4.6/11 in metered-market households) dominated its time period. "SNL" scored the #1 rating of the night among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in metered-market households, topping all primetime telecasts on those networks.

* In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, last night's "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 2.6 rating, 11 share in adults 18-49. "SNL" delivered the top rating of the night among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in the Local People Meters, out-rating all primetime programming on those networks.

Here are the highlights of the nine ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (12/10/11):

CBS (5.00 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.4, #1) settled into the top demo spot on Saturday with its mix of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (5.06 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.6, #1), "The Flight Before Christmas" (4.49 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.2, #T3) and a new "48 Hours Mystery" (5.47 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.3, #2).

ABC (5.64 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T2) however was the most-watched network with "Primetime Nightline: Bringing America Back" (3.29 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.5, #8) and "ABC News' Your Voice, Your Vote: Republican Presidential Candidate Debate in Iowa" (6.70 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.2, #T3).

Next up was FOX (3.09 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T2) with a full hour of "Cops" (3.92 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 1.2, #T3) and a repeat of "Terra Nova" (2.26 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.6, #7).

And finally, "The American Giving Awards" (1.55 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.3, #9) and a repeat of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (3.10 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.7, #6) put NBC (2.06 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.5, #4) out of the hunt to close the night.

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

"Saturday Night Live," with host Katy Perry and musical guest Robyn (4.8/12 in metered-market households) dominated its time period, matching "SNL's" highest metered-market household rating since November 5 (with host Charlie Day and musical guest Maroon 5, 4.9).

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 2.7 rating, 11 share in adults 18-49, making it the #1 telecast of the night in the Local People Meters, topping all primetime programming on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox.

Source: Nielsen Media Research