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 (5/8/21):

[Note: Fast affiliate ratings are inaccurate for live events.]

NBC (2.793 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.4, #1) was the network to beat on Saturday with its mix of "Dateline Saturday Night Mystery" (2.772 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.4, #2), another "Dateline Saturday Night Mystery" (3.302 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.5, #1) and "SNL Vintage" (2.305 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.4, #4).

The silver went to CBS (1.844 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.2, #T2) and its lineup of "Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World" (1.307 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.2, #T5), "48 Hours" (1.508 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.2, #T5) and a new "48 Hours" (2.717 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.3, #3).

Next up was ABC (1.484 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.2, #T2) and "Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World" (1.748 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.2, #T5) alongside a repeat "American Idol" (1.352 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.2, #T5).

And finally, FOX (0.417 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.1, #4) closed out the evening with its coverage of "MLS: LA Galaxy vs. LAFC" (0.417 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.1, #9).

Here are the highlights of the seven ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (5/9/20):

NBC (3.415 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.5, #1) was the network to beat on another low key Saturday with "Dateline Saturday Night Mystery" (3.735 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T1) and "SNL Vintage" (2.776 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.5, #T1).

The silver went to CBS (3.073 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.3, #2) with repeats of "NCIS: New Orleans" (3.063 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T4) and "SWAT" (2.615 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.3, #T4) plus a new "48 Hours" (3.542 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.4, #3).

Next up was FOX (0.996 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.2, #3) and its special "WWE's Greatest Ladder Matches" (0.996 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.2, #6).

And rounding out the night was "ESPN on ABC Presents: 2016 NBA Finals Game 7 - Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors" (0.850 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.1, #7) on ABC (0.850 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.1, #4).

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

· The May 9 edition of "Saturday Night Live," with remote performances from self-isolating guests and members of the cast, and featuring host Kristen Wiig and musical guest Boyz II Men, has averaged a 3.7 rating in "live plus same day" household results from 44 local markets metered by Nielsen Media Research and a 1.5 rating in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.

· Versus primetime programming on the Big 4 networks last night, "SNL" is easily the #1 show of the night in both metered-market households and in 18-49 in the local people meters.

· Note that current metered-market results are not compatible with data issued before Oct. 5, 2019 due to changes in Nielsen methodology.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, ShowBuzzDaily.com