nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, march 23, 2013)

Here are the highlights of the 10 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night:

CBS (5.871 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.9, #1) pulled in front on Saturday behind its coverage of the "NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: Butler vs. Marquette" (6.259 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.0, #1) plus a new "48 Hours" (3.927 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.2, #2)

ABC (4.008 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.9, #2) then claimed the silver with rebroadcasts of "Splash" (3.086 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T6) and "20/20: Travel Confidential" (4.470 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.9, #5).

Next up was FOX (2.582 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #3) with a new "Cops" (3.360 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T3) followed by encores of "Cops" (3.382 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.0, #T3) and "The Following" (1.793 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T8).

And finally, NBC (2.101 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.6, #4) closed out the night with its mix of "American Ninja Warrior" (1.353 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 0.3, #10), "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2.677 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T8) and a primetime "Saturday Night Live" (2.274 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T6).

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

TBA

Here are the highlights of the nine ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (3/24/12):

CBS (8.06 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.6, #1) once again was the network to beat with its primetime coverage of the "NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: Syracuse vs. Ohio State" (11.04 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 3.6, #1) followed by a repeat of "Hawaii Five-0" (5.45 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.6, #2) and a new "48 Hours Mystery" (4.54 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.3, #3).

A distant silver then went to ABC (3.26 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.7, #2) with encores of "Shark Tank" (2.91 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.8, #4) and "Dancing With the Stars" (3.44 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T5).

Next up was NBC (2.88 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T3) with a repeat of "Fairly Legal" (2.22 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.3, #9) followed by a new "The Firm" (2.83 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.4, #8) and a repeat of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (3.59 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T5).

And finally, FOX (1.67 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T3) was likewise out of the hunt with week four of "Q'Viva! The Chosen" (1.67 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.5, #7).

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

An encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live" (3.6/9 in metered-market households) with host Anna Faris with musical guest Drake, dominated its time period.

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 1.8 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49.

Source: Nielsen Media Research