nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, august 31, 2013)

Here are the highlights of the 11 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night:

ABC (7.379 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.7, #1) closed out August on top with its coverage of "College Football: Georgia at Clemson " (7.379 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.7, #1).

CBS (3.813 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T2) then was the number two draw with repeats of "Mike & Molly" (2.191 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T10), "Two and a Half Men" (2.363 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T10), "48 Hours" (4.041 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.6, #4) and another "48 Hours" (5.121 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.8, #2).

Next up was NBC (1.811 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T2) with a rebroadcast of "American Ninja Warrior" (2.098 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.7, #3) followed by a new "Do No Harm" (1.585 million viewers, #11; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T5) and a second "Do No Harm" (1.752 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T5).

And finally, FOX (1.932 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.5, #4) closed out the night with its departing lineup of "Cops" (1.940 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T5), another "Cops" (2.052 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T5) and "Bones" (1.869 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T5).

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

·An encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live," with host Peyton Manning and musical guest Carrie Underwood, averaged a 2.3/6 in metered-market households. In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 1.0 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49. "SNL" posted the top non-sports rating of the night among CBS, NBC and Fox in the Local People Meters, out-rating all primetime entertainment programming on those networks.

Here are the highlights of the eight ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (9/1/12):

ABC (7.75 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 3.0, #1) kicked off September on top with its coverage of "College Football: Michigan vs. Alabama" (7.75 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 3.0, #1).

CBS (3.56 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T2) then claimed a distant second place with its all-repeat lineup of "CSI: NY" (3.20 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T6), "48 Hours Mystery" (3.46 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T4) and another "48 Hours Mystery" (4.00 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.8, #3).

Next up was NBC (2.97 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T2) and its own repeat mix of "America's Got Talent" (2.04 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T6), "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (3.03 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T4) and another "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (3.85 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.0, #2).

And finally, FOX (1.33 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.5, #4) closed out the night with its coverage of "College Football: Hawai'i at USC" (1.33 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T6).

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

·An encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live," with host Eli Manning and musical guest Rihanna (2.9/8 in metered-market households), dominated its time period. In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 1.2 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49.

Source: Nielsen Media Research