Primetime Preliminary Fast National Nielsen Data
(includes all DVR playback through 3:00 am)

Here are the highlights of the eight ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night (9/27/14):

ABC (3.863 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.1, #1) was the demo champ on Saturday with its coverage of "Saturday Night Football" (3.863 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.1, #1).

CBS (4.672 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.8, #2) then claimed the silver with repeats of "Madam Secretary" (3.919 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T5) and "Scorpion" (4.609 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.7, #4) followed by the season premiere of "48 Hours" (5.489 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.0, #2).

Next up was NBC (2.596 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.6, #3) and its mix of "The Voice" (2.758 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T5), "Music for Change: The Global Citizen Festival" (1.825 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.4, #8) and "Saturday Night Live" (3.205 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.9, #3).

And finally, "College Football on FOX" (1.533 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.5, #7) closed out the night on FOX (1.533 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.5, #4).

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

·"Saturday Night Live," with host Chris Pratt and musical guest Ariana Grande (4.0/10 in metered-market households, 2.1/10 in adults 18-49 in the Local People Meters) equaled the show's household result and 18-49 rating from the "SNL" season finale on May 17 (with host Andy Samberg and musical guest St. Vincent, 4.0/10 in metered-market households, 2.1/10 in 18-49 in the LPMs).

·The 40th season premiere of "Saturday Night Live" equaled the show's highest metered-market household rating since March 8 (4.1/11 with host Lena Dunham and musical guest The National). Last night's "SNL" also matched the show's top 18-49 rating in the 25 markets with Local People Meters since April 5 (2.2/10 with host Anna Kendrick and musical guest Pharrell). The year-ago "SNL" season premiere averaged a 4.7/12 in 18-49 and a 2.7/13 in 18-49 in the Local People Meters with host Tina Fey and musical guest Arcade Fire on Sept. 28, 2013.

·"Saturday Night Live" ranked as the #1 telecast of the night on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in 18-49 rating in the Local People Meters, outscoring all primetime programs on those networks.

·National ratings, including viewer totals, for last night's "Saturday Night Live" are due from Nielsen on Thursday, October 2.

Here are the highlights of the nine ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (9/28/13):

ABC (6.359 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.0, #1) was the most-watched network for the sixth week in a row thanks to its "College Football: Wisconsin at Ohio State" (6.359 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.0, #1) coverage.

CBS (4.390 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.8, #2) then took home the silver with encores of the "The Crazy Ones" (3.642 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T3), "Mom" (3.376 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.8, #5) and "Hostages" (3.655 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T6) premieres alongside the season opener to "48 Hours" (6.006 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.0, #2).

Next up was NBC (3.021 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #3) and its repeat lineup of "Chicago Fire" (2.298 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.5, #8), "The Blacklist" (3.849 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T6) and "Saturday Night Live" (2.916 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T3).

And finally, coverage of "College Football: Arizona at Washington" (1.359 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.4, #9) on FOX (1.359 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.4, #4) rounded out the evening.

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

·"Saturday Night Live," with host Tina Fey and musical guest Arcade Fire (4.7/12 in metered-market households, 2.7/13 in adults 18-49 in the Local People Meters) is currently equaling the show's household and 18-49 ratings from the "SNL" season finale on May 18 (with host Ben Affleck and musical guest Kanye West), pending updates.

·The 39th season premiere of "Saturday Night Live" ranks as the #1 telecast of the night on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in both 18-49 rating in the Local People Meters and in metered-market household rating, outscoring all primetime programs on those networks.

·In household rating averages from Nielsen's 56 metered markets, "Saturday Night Live" is currently matching its highest rating since April 6 (4.8 with host Melissa McCarthy and musical guest Phoenix). In 18-49 ratings from Nielsen's 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" is equaling its highest rating since April 13 (2.8 with host Vince Vaughn and musical guest Miguel).

·"SNL" is currently running within a tenth of a rating point of the year-ago premiere, which ran two weeks earlier on September 15, 2012 (4.8/12 in metered-market households, 2.8/12 in the Local People Meters with host Seth MacFarlane and musical guest Frank Ocean), pending updates.

·National ratings, including viewer totals, for last night's "Saturday Night Live" are due from Nielsen on Thursday, October 3.

Source: Nielsen Media Research