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

Here are the highlights of the seven ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night (9/26/15):

FOX (3.395 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.2, #1) staked claim to the adults 18-49 crown on Saturday with its coverage of "CFB on FOX" (3.395 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.2, #1).

CBS (4.397 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.9, #2) then claimed the silver with an encore of "Limitless" (3.622 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #4) followed by the season premiere of "48 Hours" (4.298 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T2) and a second "48 Hours" (5.272 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T2).

Next up was ABC (2.380 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #3) and its weekly installment of "Saturday Night College Football" (2.380 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.7, #5).

And finally, a repeat "The Carmichael Show" (1.568 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T6) and a new edition of "Premier Boxing Champions" (2.039 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T6) closed out the evening on NBC (1.961 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.5, #4).

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

· An encore "Saturday Night Live," with host Louis C.K. and musical guest Rihanna, averaged a 2.4 rating, 6 share in household results in Nielsen's 56 metered markets and a 1.0/5 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters. It's "SNL's" second-highest 18-49 rating in the local people meters in 14 weeks.

· Excluding last week's 1.1 for a rebroadcast hosted by Chris Rock with musical guest Prince, it was the top 18-49 rating for "Saturday Night Live" in the local people meters since June 20 (with host and musical guest Blake Shelton, 1.1).

· Note that "SNL" adds significant viewership via time-shifting, with originals last season growing by an average of +44% going from "live plus same day ratings" to "live plus seven day" in adults 18-49 (from a 1.84 rating to a 2.65).

Here are the highlights of the eight ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (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.

Source: Nielsen Media Research