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

Here are the highlights of the nine ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night (8/25/18):

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Some high rated local pre-season NFL games (across all networks) are included here but will be excluded from Officials.]

CBS (3.121 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.7, #1) was the network to beat on Saturday with its coverage of "NFL Preseason: Saints at Chargers" (3.121 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.7, #1).

NBC (2.635 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.4, #2) then was the number two draw with its duo of "America's Got Talent" (2.390 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T3) and "Dateline Saturday Night Mystery" (3.125 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.5, #2).

Next up was ABC (2.177 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T3) with second runs of "The Good Doctor" (2.261 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T5), another "The Good Doctor" (2.075 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T5) and "20/20 Saturday" (2.195 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T5).

And finally, repeats of "MasterChef" (1.168 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T5) and a second "MasterChef" (1.528 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T3) on FOX (1.348 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T3) rounded out the night.

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

· The Aug. 25 encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live," hosted by Ryan Gosling and featuring musical guest Jay-Z, has averaged a 2.1 rating, 6 share in "live plus same day" household results from the 56 local markets metered by Nielsen Media Research and a 0.6/6 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.

· The Aug. 25 "Saturday Night Live" is the #1 non-sports show of the night on the Big 4 networks in 18-49 in the local people meters, topping all primetime entertainment shows on those nets in that key demo.

Here are the highlights of the eight ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (8/26/17):

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Some additional high rated local pre-season NFL games (across all networks) are included here but will be excluded from Officials.]

NBC (3.795 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.9, #1) edged out the demo competition on Saturday with a rebroadcast of "American Ninja Warrior" (3.593 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T4) and a new "Dateline Saturday Night Mystery" (4.199 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T2).

ABC (3.881 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T2) then was the most-watched broadcaster with repeats of "America's Funniest Home Videos" (4.201 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.9, #T2), "$100,000 Pyramid" (4.089 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T4) and "20/20: In an Instant" (3.355 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.7, #6).

Next up was FOX (2.739 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.8, #T2) and its primetime coverage of "Mayweather vs. McGregor: Prelims" (3.218 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 1.1, #1) and a repeat "Beat Shazam" (2.261 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T7).

And finally, CBS (2.996 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.6, #4) rounded out the night with its telecast of "NFL Preseason: Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams" (2.996 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T7).

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

· An Aug. 26 encore of "Saturday Night Live," with host Aziz Ansari and musical guest Big Sean, has averaged a 2.5 rating, 7 share in households in Nielsen's 56 metered markets and a 0.8/4 in 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.

· The "Saturday Night Live" encore was the #1 show of the night on the Big 4 networks in metered-market households, outrating every Saturday primetime telecast on those nets in households.

· Versus the show's year-ago August encore, last night's "Saturday Night Live" is up +14% in metered-market households (2.5 vs. a 2.2 rating).

Source: Nielsen Media Research