nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, december 22, 2012)

Here are the highlights of the 12 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night:

ABC (3.48 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T1) was the top draw on Saturday with its rebroadcasts of "Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice" (2.29 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.6, #8), "A Chipmunk Christmas" (2.83 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T5) and "CMA Country Christmas" (3.94 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T1).

FOX (2.52 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T1) then shared the demo crown with a new "Cops" (3.16 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T1) alongside repeats of "Cops" (3.16 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T1) and "Kitchen Nightmares" (1.89 million viewers, #11; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T5).

Next up was NBC (2.00 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.5, #3) and its combination of "Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol" (2.02 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 0.4, #9), "WWE Tribute to the Troops" (1.31 million viewers, #12; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T10) and a primetime "Saturday Night Live" (2.68 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T1).

And finally, CBS (3.29 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.4, #4) closed out the evening with originals from "Made in Jersey" (2.47 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T10) and another "Made in Jersey" (2.98 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T10) plus a repeat of "48 Hours" (4.44 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T5).

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

* An encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live," with host Bruno Mars (3.6/9 in metered-market households) dominated its time period. The "SNL" rebroadcast 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 1.9 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49. The "SNL" encore 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.

* In the Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" delivered its highest 18-49 rating for a rebroadcast since October 27 (with host Seth MacFarlane and musical guest Frank Ocean, 2.0) and matched its second-highest LPM rating since February 25 (with host Charlie Day and musical guest Maroon 5, 2.3).

Here are the highlights of the five ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (12/24/11):

NBC (4.55 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.4, #1) won the battle of holiday repeats with its annual broadcast of "It's a Wonderful Life" (4.55 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.4, #1).

FOX (3.20 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.0, #2) then claimed the silver with a full night of "Terra Nova" (3.20 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T2) repeats.

Next up was ABC (3.81 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.9, #3) with its presentation of "The Sound of Music" (3.81 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.9, #4).

And finally, a repeat of "Blue Bloods" (2.40 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.5, #5) and a two-hour encore of "48 Hours Mystery" (4.41 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T2) on CBS (3.74 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #4) closed out the night.

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

"Saturday Night Live," was preempted on Christmas Eve.

Source: Nielsen Media Research