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 (3/9/19):

NBC (3.747 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T1) was the top draw on a low key Saturday with its mix of "Dateline Saturday Night Mystery" (4.021 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T2), another "Dateline Saturday Night Mystery" (4.071 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T2) and "Saturday Night Live" (3.150 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T2).

ABC (2.604 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T1) then shared in the demo honors with its weekly "NBA Countdown" (2.152 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.5, #5) and "NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC" (2.695 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.8, #1).

Next up was CBS (2.865 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.4, #3) with originals from "Ransom" (2.539 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T7), "48 Hours" (2.355 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T7) and another "48 Hours" (3.701 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.4, #6).

And finally, FOX (1.347 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.3, #4) closed out the night with a new installment of "Premier Boxing Champions" (1.347 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T7).

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

· The March 9 telecast of "Saturday Night Live," with host Idris Elba and musical guest Khalid, averaged a 4.5 rating, 11 share in "live plus same day" household results from the 56 local markets metered by Nielsen Media Research and a 1.7/9 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.

· The March 9 "Saturday Night Live" ranks as the #1 show of the night on the Big 4 networks in both metered-market households and 18-49 in the local people meters, topping all primetime shows on those nets, including ABC's primetime Celtics-Lakers NBA Basketball coverage.

· "Saturday Night Live" finished +67% above the #2 Big 4 telecast of the night in metered-market households (4.5 vs. 2.7 for CBS' 10 p.m. "48 Hours"). In 18-49 in the local people meters, "SNL" topped the #2 show by +42% (1.7 vs. 1.2 for ABC's Celtics-Lakers basketball).

· Versus what "Saturday Night Live" averaged with originals for the month of March last year, the March 9 telecast is up +5% in metered-market households (4.5 vs. 4.3).

Here are the highlights of the 10 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (3/10/18):

NBC (2.914 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T1) and ABC (2.008 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T1) shared the demo crown on a low key Saturday with the latter serving up its weekly "NBA Countdown" (1.798 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T6) and "NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC" (2.050 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.6, #3).

The Peacock then offered up its mix of "Will & Grace" (2.250 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T6), "Superstore" (2.291 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T4), "Dateline Saturday Night Mystery" (3.542 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T1) and a vintage "Saturday Night Live" (2.931 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T1).

Next up was CBS (3.284 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T3) and its trio of "NCIS" (2.581 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T6), "NCIS: New Orleans" (3.304 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T6) and a new "48 Hours" (3.968 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T4).

And finally, FOX (1.520 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T3) rounded out the night with the primetime portion of "Big East Basketball Tournament: Championship Game" (1.520 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 0.4, #T6).

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

· The March 10 telecast of "Saturday Night Live," hosted by Sterling K. Brown and featuring musical guest James Bay, has averaged a 4.1 rating, 10 share in "live plus same day" household results from the 56 local markets metered by Nielsen Media Research and a 1.7/9 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.

· "Saturday Night Live" is the #1 show of the night on the Big 4 networks in both metered-market households and 18-49 in the local people meters, topping in both measures all primetime programs on those nets, including ABC's Spurs-Thunder NBA coverage.

· "Saturday Night Live" outrated the night's #2 Big 4 program in metered-market households by a +52% margin (4.1 vs. 2.7 for CBS's "48 Hours") and beat the #2 show in 18-49 in the local people meters by +143% (1.7 vs. 0.7 for three different primetime programs).

· The March 10 "SNL" aired live coast to coast (11:30 p.m. ET, 8:30 p.m. PT) and was replayed at 11:30 in western markets.

Source: Nielsen Media Research