We know that there are definitely some delays with the weekend Cable News Ratings (and last night’s as well). We’re also having delays with the weekly top cable show and top cable networks data.

We’re not sure if the two are related, but either way we’ll post the info as soon as we can — looks like it may wait until tomorrow.  Sorry, but it’s beyond our control…

SyFy Portal is reporting that Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles may be close to termination:

With ratings far below even the network’s worst predictions, Fox could pull the plug on production for “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” as early as this week.

The network has been disappointed by “Sarah Connor’s” numbers so far this season, and some executives feel that the show is dragging down numbers for “Prison Break,” which airs as a lead-out.

“Audiences just aren’t responding to the show,” a Fox source tells SyFy Portal. “Our biggest surprise are the 18-to-49s [a key advertising demographic], those numbers are in the toilet.”

This would be bad news for “Sarah Connor,” which had a strong first season despite airing just nine episodes in light of the Writers Guild of America strike.

Read the rest.

Last night was the first night of full competition on all networks. Last week it beat Dancing with the Stars and The Big Bang Theory among men 18-34, but lost to the Heroes “clip show” and How I Met Your Mother. Among the overall 18-49 demo it trailed everything but Gossip Girl last week and last night it only just barely beat Gossip Girl (2.0 vs 1.9). Thanks to commenter “Anthony” for tipping us off to the SyFy Portal story.

Plus, it was among the shows judged most likely to be cancelled based on our initial Renew/Cancel index.

From Univision Press Release

Univision Out-delivered ABC, CBS, NBC Or FOX On 4 Out Of 7 Nights The First Week Of The Season Among Adults 18-34

NTI Broadcast Prime Highlights Week of 09/22/08

• In the 1st week of the 2008-09 Season, Univision out-delivered ABC, CBS, NBC, or FOX on 4 out of 7 nights among Adults 18-34 and on 1 night among Adults 18-49.

• Univision reports growth in primetime versus the comparable week in 2007 among Adults 18-49 (+5%), Adults 18-34 (+8%), Viewers 2+ (+12%) and Households (+9%).

• Univision was the #1 primetime network on Friday night beating ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and CW among Adults 18-34 (1.2 million) and ranked as the #3 network in prime among Adults 18-49 (1.9 million).

• On Friday night, Univision’s “Fuego en la Sangre” (Burning for Revenge) was the #1 program of the night among Adults 18-34 (1.4 million).

• Univision was the #5 network in the country for the entire week in overall prime among all Adults 18-34 (1.1 million), Adults 18-49 (1.9 million), Persons 2+ (3.7 million) and Households (2.2 million). Additionally, Univision captured the #2 network ranking in primetime among Kids 2-11 (476,000).

• Among Adults 18-34, Monday’s premiere episode of “Cuidado Con El Angel” (Don’t Mess With the Angel) (1.5 million) beat many popular English-language programs including CW’s “One Tree Hill” and “90210”, CBS’s “ Worst Week” and “The Mentalist”, ABC’s “Boston Legal”, FOX’s “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”, and NBC’s “Knight Rider” and “Lipstick Jungle”.

• The premiere week of “Cuidado con el Angel” (Don’t Mess With the Angel) in the M-F/8-9pm hour had an average audience of 3.9 million Total Viewers, 1.3 million Adults 18-34 and 2.1 million Adults 18-49. Additionally, it ranked #4 in the M-F/8pm hour among Teens 12-17 (329,000) beating CBS and NBC.

• For the entire night on Saturday, Univision was the #3 broadcast network thanks to “Sabado Gigante” (Giant Saturday) among Adults 18-34 (542,000) and Teens 12-17 (168,000). Additionally, Univision ranked #1 among Kids 2-11 (312,000).

Via CW Press Release:

FINAL NATIONALS PUT “GOSSIP GIRL” AT 4.1/11 IN WOMEN 18-34, AS SERIES CLIMBS TO ITS SECOND BEST PERFORMANCE EVER  

GOSSIP GIRL Delivers Second Best Ratings Ever

in Women 18-34, Adults 18-34, Women 18-49 and Adults 18-49 

The CW Scores Second Best Monday Ever in Key Demos 

The CW Again Takes Monday as #1 Network with Young Women  

ONE TREE HILL Scores Best Ratings In Nearly Two Years in Target Demos  

GOSSIP GIRL and ONE TREE HILL Each Post Week-to-Week Gains in Key Demos 

            September 30, 2008 (Burbank, CA) – With this afternoon’s Final Nielsen ratings, GOSSIP GIRL’s ratings improved to a 4.1/11 with women 18-34, leading to The CW’s sophomore sensation to score its second best ratings ever among women 18-34, as well as adults 18-34 (2.6/8), women 18-49 (2.8/7) and adults 18-49 (1.8/5), according to Live Plus Same Day Nielsen ratings for Monday, Sept. 29, 2008.    

With GOSSIP GIRL and ONE TREE HILL building week-to-week, The CW matched its best Monday ever in adults 18-34 (2.6/7), adults 18-49 (1.9/5) and women 18-49 (2.8/7) and delivered its second best Monday ever in women 18-34 (3.9/10).  The CW improved week-to-week by 8% in women 18-34 (3.9/10), 13% in adults 18-34 (2.6/7), 19% in adults 18-49 (1.9/5), 17% in women 18-49 (2.8/7) and 6% in total viewers (3.4mil). 

The CW once again ranked as Monday’s #1 network with the target demographics of women 18-34 (3.9/10) and females 12-34 (3.5/10). 

GOSSIP GIRL ranked second in the hour in women 18-34 (4.1/11), persons 12-34 (2.3/7-tie) and females 12-34 (3.6/10).  GOSSIP GIRL also beat NBC’s “Chuck” and Fox’s “Terminator” in adults 18-34 (2.6/8) and women 18-49 (2.8/7).  GOSSIP GIRL grew from last week by 5% in women 18-34, 8% in adults 18-34, 13% in adults 18-49 and 8% in women 18-49. 

ONE TREE HILL scored its best ratings in nearly 2 years among women 18-34 (3.8/9), and matched its best ratings ever on The CW in adults 18-34 (2.7/7) and adults 18-49 (1.9/4).  ONE TREE HILL gained over last week by 15% in women 18-34, 23% in adults 18-34, 27% in adults 18-49, 17% in women 18-49 (2.7/6) and 9% in viewers (3.4mil).

Via ABC press release:

EVENING NEWS (Week of September 22, 2008)

              Total Viewers     Adults 25-54     Households

ABC              8,070,000     2.1/9; 2,570,000     5.5/11

NBC              7,980,000     2.1/9; 2,570,000     5.4/11

CBS              5,990,000     1.5/6; 1,910,000     4.1/8

Nielsen TV Ratings Data: ©2008 The Nielsen Company. All Rights Reserved.

Via NBCU press release:

Network Marks 12 Consecutive Quarters Of Growth With The Most Engaged, Upscale And Educated Audience 

Bravo Digital Post Significant Year-Over-Year Increases 

NEW YORK – September 30, 2008 – On pace to record its highest rated year ever, Bravo again broke ratings records on-air and online earning the highest quarter in network history among adults 18-49 and total viewers in primetime – marking a 32 and 20 percent increase respectively versus the third quarter of 2007, according to Nielsen Media Research (data through 9/26/08). With the most engaged, upscale and educated audience among all cable networks, Bravo marked 12 consecutive quarters of year-over-year growth among adults 18-49 and is currently the fastest growing top 20 ad supported cable entertainment network among women 18-49. 

The network currently ranks No. 15 among all ad supported cable entertainment networks, an increase from No. 21 compared to third quarter 2007. Additionally, Bravo Digital saw significant year-over-year increases in the third quarter, with a 40 percent rise in page views (89 million vs. 63.9 million), a 60 percent jump in video streams (1.9 million vs. 1.2 million), and a 17 percent increase in unique visitors (2.67 million vs. 2.28 million). 

For the quarter, Bravo averaged 477,000 adults 18-49 (vs. 361,000) and 789,000 total viewers (vs. 656,000) in primetime compared to the third quarter of 2007. The network also earned the highest rated month in its history in primetime, averaging 543,000 adults 18-49 and 879,000 total viewers, an increase of 50 and 33 percent, respectively, versus a year ago. Currently ranking as the number one network for program engagement and brand recall among adults 18-49, Bravo boasts 15 original series with one or more original telecasts with more than one million total viewers year-to-date, versus nine series in 2007 to date. 

Continuing Bravo’s hallmark of increasing viewership with each original franchise cycle, all of Bravo’s original programs have seen a surge during through the third quarter of 2008. “Top Design” is averaging 1.246 million adults 18-49 and 1.896 million total viewers, up 56 percent (vs. 801,000) and 55 percent (vs. 1,227,000), respectively from the prior season-to-date average, and on pace to have its highest rated season ever, “Project Runway” is currently averaging 2.674 million adults 18-49 and 3.978 million total viewers. “Shear Genius” ended its second season with record numbers, averaging 1.318 million adults 18-49 and 2.080 million total viewers, up 80 percent (vs. 731,000) and up 91 percent (vs. 1,091,000) respectively from the prior season average. The two-time Emmy Award winning “Kathy Griffin: My Life On The D-List” averaged 754,000 adults 18-49 and 1.013 million total viewers in its fourth season, and “Flipping Out” was also up from its prior season, with an average of 803,000 adults 18-49 and 1.130 million total viewers tuning in, up 48 percent (vs. 544,000) and 52 percent (vs. 741,000), respectively, from the season one average. The second season of “Million Dollar Listing” averaged an impressive 702,000 adults 18-49 and 1,011,000 total viewers, up a whopping 124 percent (vs. 314,000) and 111 percent (vs. 479,000), respectively, from the season one average. 

With its online suite of assets –BravoTV.com, TelevisionWithoutPity.com, OutzoneTV.com, and BrilliantButCancelled.com – Bravo Digital boasted a record quarter with increases across the board in page views, unique visitors and video streams. BravoTV.com posted its best third quarter ever in page views and video streams, averaging 61 million page views and 1.7 million video streams, up 96 percent (vs. 29.7 million) and 30 percent (vs. 1.4 million) respectively. 

Source: Nielsen Media Research Live + 7 through 9/14/08, blended with Live + Same Day through 9/26/08. Ad supported cable entertainment rank includes networks that air in more than 50% of the Prime daypart; Nielsen Marketbreaks, 12/31/07-9/7/08, HH inc $125K+, College Education 4+ years, standard minimums applied, P18-49 VPVH, Prime; Engagement: IAG measured networks, (01/01/08-09/21/08), Program engagement nonsports programming, A18-49. Bcast Prime: M-Sa 8P-11P, Su 7P-11P. Cable Prime: M-Su 8P-11P, Product Placement: IAG measured networks, (01/01/08-09/15/08), In Program Placements nonsports programming, A18-49. Bcast Prime: M-Sa 8P-11P, Su 7P-11P. Cable Prime: M-Su 8P-11P; Omniture SiteCatalyst Q308 (7/1-9/29) vs. Q307. 

Bravo is a program service of NBC Universal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBC Universal one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. Bravo has been an NBC cable network since December 2002 and was the first television service dedicated to film and the performing arts when it launched in December 1980. For more information visit www.bravotv.com. 

Via NBC press release:

‘SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL,’ ‘HEROES’ AND ‘THE OFFICE’ DELIVER TOP-10 RESULTS IN 18-49 

THE ‘NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL’ TELECAST OF THE EAGLES-BEARS GAME IS THE #1 PROGRAM OF THE WEEK IN ALL KEY MALE DEMOS, LEADING NBC TO ITS NINTH CONSECUTIVE SUNDAY VICTORY IN ADULTS 18-49 

‘THE OFFICE’ OPENS ITS SEASON UP 17 PERCENT IN 18-49 VERSUS LAST SEASON’S FINALE, SCORING NBC’S HIGHEST 18-49 RATING IN ITS THURSDAY SLOT IN THE PAST YEAR, EXCLUDING SPORTS 

THIRD-SEASON DEBUT OF ‘HEROES’ SCORES NBC’S HIGHEST NON-OLYMPIC 18-49 RATING IN MONDAY TIME PERIOD IN THE PAST YEAR 

ON TUESDAY, ‘THE BIGGEST LOSER’ HANGS TOUGH AGAINST INCREASED COMPETITION, UP 11 PERCENT VS. THE SAME NIGHT LAST YEAR IN TOTAL VIEWERS 

WEDNESDAY’S ‘KNIGHT RIDER’ DEBUT WINS ITS SLOT IN ALL KEY ADULT-MALE DEMOS 

NBC RANKS #1 FOR THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-34 (TIE) AND ALL KEY ADULT-MALE DEMOS 

NBC’S MEDIAN AGE GROWS 1.3 YEARS YOUNGER THAN THE SAME WEEK LAST YEAR, MAKING IT THE ONLY MAJOR NETWORK TO GET YOUNGER YEAR-TO-YEAR 

BURBANK, Calif. – September 30, 2008 – NBC ranked #2 in adults 18-49 for the first week of the 2008-09 broadcast season, with an average 3.3 rating, 9 share in adults 18-49 and 8.3 million viewers overall for the week of September 22-28, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research. 

NBC ranked #1 for the week in adults 18-34 (tied with ABC) and #1 outright in all key adult-male demographics – men 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54. 

The “NBC Sunday Night Football” telecast of the Philadelphia Eagles at the Chicago Bears was the #1 telecast of the week in all key adult-male demographics – men 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54 – and ranked #3 for the week among adults 18-49. Also ranking among the week’s top 10 primetime programs in the key demographic of adults 18-49 was “Heroes” (#8) and “The Office” (#9). “The Office” ranked #3 among all primetime programs among adults 18-34, behind only “Grey’s Anatomy” and “NBC Sunday Night Football.” (Note: weekly program rankings exclude football post-game and pre-game telecasts). 

Primetime averages for the week of September 22-28 in adults 18-49 were ABC (3.8/10), NBC (3.3/9), CBS (3.1/8), Fox (3.0/8), Univision (1.5/4), CW (1.3/3) and Telemundo (0.4/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were ABC (12.3 million), CBS (11.3 million), NBC (8.3 million), Fox (7.5 million), Univision (3.7 million), CW (2.9 million) and Telemundo (1.0 million). 

In the first week of the new season, NBC, which is now the “second-youngest” of the major broadcast networks, was the only major net to grow younger versus the first week of last season. For the week, the median age of NBC’s primetime audience was 6.6 years younger than ABC’s and 9.6 years younger than CBS’s. For the first week of the 2008-09 season, NBC grew 1.3 years younger, with its audience moving to a median age of 43.9 from 45.2 for the first week of last season. By comparison, CBS’s median age increased 1.0 year to 53.5 from 52.5, ABC’s median age increased by 0.6 of year to 50.5 from 49.9 and Fox’s median age increased by 0.9 of a year to 42.7 from 41.8. 

NBC highlights for the week of September 22-28: 

* On Monday, after a nine-month absence, “Heroes” opened its third season by matching the 18-49 rating of its prior original telecast in December 2007 and scored NBC’s highest non-Olympic 18-49 rating in its time period in a year. “Heroes” won its two-hour time period in adults 18-49, adults, men and women 18-34 and all key adult-male demos. 

* On Tuesday, the second episode of “The Biggest Loser: Families” finished within 6 percent of the strong 18-49 rating for the previous week’s season premiere, despite the arrival in the time period of original competition from ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” and CBS’s “NCIS” and “The Mentalist.” Despite the tough competition, “Loser” gained 40 percent in 18-49 rating and 27 percent in total viewers from its first half-hour to its fourth.

* On Wednesday, the series premiere of “Knight Rider” won its time period in all key adult-male demographics – men 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54. 

* Also on Wednesday, the second-season debut of “Lipstick Jungle” achieved a 146 index in adults 18-49 in $100K+ homes (with 100 representing an average concentration of those homes in the 18-49 population), making it the most upscale program in primetime though the first four nights of the new 2008-09 season. 

* On Thursday, the fifth season premiere of “The Office” scored NBC’s highest 18-49 rating in its hour in a year, excluding sports. “The Office” opened this season with a 17 percent gain in 18-49 rating versus its May 2008 season finale. 

* “The Office” was the #2 program on television Thursday night in primetime’s key demographic of adults 18-49, trailing only the season premiere of “Grey’s Anatomy.” “The Office” was #2 in its hour in adults 18-49 and #1 among men 18-49 and men 18-34, topping “Grey’s” and the debut of “Survivor: Gabon” in those demos in head-to-head competition. 

* On Friday, “America’s Toughest Jobs” earned its highest Friday results to date in both 18-49 and total viewers, up 9 percent in 18-49 rating and 20 percent in total viewers versus the prior week. 

* This week’s “NBC Sunday Night Football” telecast of the Philadelphia Eagles at the Chicago Bears propelled NBC to its ninth consecutive Sunday victory in adults 18-49. NBC was also #1 on Sunday night in adults 18-34, adults 25-54, total viewers and all key adult-male demographics. 

* Sunday’s Eagles-Bears game was up 11 percent in 18-49 and 15 percent in total viewers versus last year’s comparable game. 

Ratings reflect “live plus same day” data unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date figures are averages of “live plus seven day” data except for the two most recent weeks, which are “live plus same day.” 

Additional NBC highlights for the week of September 22-28 

On Monday, Sept. 22 from 9-11 p.m. ET, “Heroes” (5.0 rating, 12 share in adults 18-49, 10.1 million viewers overall), returning from a nine-month absence, opened its third season by matching the 18-49 rating of the show’s last telecast before the interruption (a 5.0/11 in 18-49 on December 3, 2007). “Heroes” scored NBC’s highest non-Olympic 18-49 rating in this time period in a year (since September 24, 2007). 

“Heroes” won its highly competitive two-hour time period in adults 18-49, adults, men and women 18-34 and all key adult-male demographics. The “Heroes” premiere built by 92 percent in 18-49 rating and 68 percent or more than 4.0 million persons on its lead-in from the previous hour – a 2.6/7 in 18-49 and 6.0 million viewers overall for the 8-9 p.m. ET special “Heroes: Countdown to the Premiere.” The “Heroes: Countdown” special was #1 among the broadcast networks in men 18-34, and topped a first-run episode of Fox’s “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key ratings categories. 

On Tuesday, Sept. 23, the second episode of “The Biggest Loser 6″ finished within 6 percent of the 18-49 rating for the prior week’s premiere telecast, despite the arrival in the time period of original competition from ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” and CBS’s “NCIS” and “The Mentalist.” 

Tuesday from 8-10 p.m. ET, “Biggest Loser” (3.0/8 in 18-49, 7.4 million viewers overall) matched its 18-49 rating for the same Tuesday of last year and improved on that year-ago performance by 11 percent in total viewers (7.4 million vs. 6.6 million). From its first half-hour to its fourth, “Loser” gained 40 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.5/8 from a 2.5/7) and 27 percent, or 1.7 million persons in total viewers (to 8.1 million from 6.4 million). “Loser” ranked #2 in its two-hour time period in adults and women 18-34. 

Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET, the 10th season premiere of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (3.8/10 in 18-49, 9.7 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and nearly all key demographics and #1 in men 18-34 versus unusual competition from ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” in the hour. “SVU” topped rival drama “Without a Trace” in the hour by 36 percent in adults 18-49 (3.8 vs. 2.8) and 94 percent in adults 18-34 (3.1 vs. 1.6). 

From its first half-hour to its second, “Law & Order: SVU” increased by 14 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 4.0/11 from a 3.5/9) and by 12 percent, or 1.1 million persons in total viewers (to 10.2 million from 9.1 million), while the ABC and CBS competition was declining in both categories. 

On Wednesday, Sept. 24 from 8-9 p.m. ET, the premiere of “Knight Rider” (2.5/7 in 18-49, 7.3 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in the time slot in all key adult-male demographics – men 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54. “Knight Rider” was up 4 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC’s 2007-08 season average in this time period (2.5 vs. 2.4) and matched the 2.5 18-49 rating achieved by last year’s fall premiere of “Deal or No Deal” in this time period (a 2.5 on September 19, 2007). From its first half-hour to its second, “Knight Rider” grew by 8 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.6 from a 2.4). 

Wednesday from 9:15-10 p.m. ET, an abbreviated edition of “America’s Got Talent” (2.7/7 in 18-49, 10.3 million viewers overall) improved by 8 percent in 18-49 rating (2.7 vs. 2.5) and 25 percent in total viewers (10.3 million vs. 8.2 million) versus NBC’s 2007-08 season average for the Wednesday 9-10 p.m. time period. For the full half-hour from 9:30-10 p.m. ET, “Talent” ranked #2 in adults 18-49, adults, men and women 25-54 and total viewers. (Note: President Bush’s address to the nation on Wednesday September 24 from 9-9:15 p.m. ET was sustaining programming and was not counted in the nightly or weekly averages.) 

Wednesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, the second-season debut of “Lipstick Jungle” (2.4/6 in 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall) grew from its first half-hour to its second by 18 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.6/7 from a 2.2/6). In its second half-hour from 10:30-11 p.m., “Lipstick Jungle” ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and #1 in women 18-34. Overall, “Lipstick Jungle” finished within 0.1 of an 18-49 rating point of the 2.5 rating it averaged during its first season. 

In its debut, “Lipstick Jungle” achieved a 146 index in adults 18-49 living in $100K+ homes (with 100 representing an average concentration of those homes in the 18-49 population), making it the most “upscale” program on television by that measure through the first four nights of the 2008-09 season (Note: National Audience Demographic, or NAD, data for the full seven nights of the week of September 22-28, 2008 is not currently available.) By comparison, CBS’s “CSI: NY,” which won the 10 p.m. hour in 18-49 and total viewers, posted an index of 68 index among adults 18-49/$100K+. 

On Thursday, Sept. 25 from 8-9 p.m. ET, the fourth-season premiere of “My Name is Earl” (2.7/8 in 18-49, 7.3 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among men 18-34. “Earl” increased from its first half-hour to its second by 16 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.9/8 from a 2.5/7) and by 9 percent in total viewers (to 6.7 million from 6.1 million). 

Thursday from 9-10:01m. ET, the fifth-season premiere of “The Office” (4.9/12 in 18-49, 9.3 million viewers overall) scored NBC’s highest 18-49 rating in this hour in a year, excluding sports (since September 27, 2007). “The Office” finished within 4 percent of its 18-49 rating for last year’s season debut (a 5.1/12) which itself tied “The Office” series record. “The Office” opened this season with a 17 percent gain in 18-49 over the 4.2 rating the series achieved with its season finale last May. 

“The Office” was the #2 show on television Thursday night in primetime’s key demographic of adults 18-49, trailing only the season premiere of ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy.”

“The Office” ranked #2 in the hour in adults 18-49, behind only “Grey’s Anatomy,” and #1 among men 18-49 and men 18-34, topping both “Grey’s” and the debut of CBS’s “Survivor: Gabon” in those demos. “The Office” built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 81 percent in 18-49 rating. 

Thursday from 10:01-11 p.m., the 15th season premiere of “ER” (3.3/8 in 18-49, 8.0 million viewers overall) matched the 18-49 rating for the show’s season finale last May and tied the top “ER” rating since January 17, despite exceptional competition from the two-hour season premiere of “Grey’s Anatomy” in the 10 p.m. hour. Versus its May 2008 sweep average, “ER” was up 10 percent in 18-49 rating (3.3 vs. 3.0). “ER” ranked #2 in all key demographics, including adults 18-49. 

On Friday, Sept. 26 from 8-9 p.m. ET, “America’s Toughest Jobs” (1.2/4 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall) delivered its best Friday results to date, up 9 percent in 18-49 rating and 20 percent in total viewers versus the prior week. 

Friday, NBC aired the Presidential Debate as sustaining programming, which is not counted in the nightly or weekly averages. From 10:39-11 p.m. ET, NBC News’ “Decision ‘08″ analysis of the debate averaged a 2.3/6 in 18-49 and 7.1 million viewers overall. 

On Saturday, Sept. 27 from 8-10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of Monday’s season premiere of “Heroes” averaged a 0.7/2 in 18-49 and 2.2 million viewers overall. From 10-11 p.m., a rebroadcast of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (1.3/4 in 18-49, 4.8 million viewers overall) increased from its first half-hour to its second by 27 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.4/4 from a 1.1/3) and by 22 percent or 1.0 million persons in total viewers (to 5.3 million from 4.3 million). 

On Sunday, Sept. 28, the “NBC Sunday Night Football” telecast of the Philadelphia Eagles at the Chicago Bears averaged a 6.9/17 in adults 18-49, 17.3 million viewers overall and a 10.8/17 household rating/share for its full duration from 8:23-11:29 p.m. ET. Sunday’s Eagles-Bears game was up 11 percent in 18-49 rating and 15 percent or more than 2.3 million persons in total viewers versus the comparable “Sunday Night Football” game last year (a 6.2/16 in 18-49 and 15.0 million viewers overall for the Philadelphia Eagles versus the New York Giants on September 30, 2007). 

For the night (from 7:30-11 p.m. ET), NBC averaged a 5.8/15 in 18-49 and 14.8 million viewers overall, up 9 percent in 18-49 rating and 14 percent or more than 1.8 million persons in total viewers versus the same night last year (a 5.3/14 in 18-49 and 13.0 million viewers overall on September 30, 2007). 

NBC won the night in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54, total viewers and all key adult-male demographics. In adults 18-49, NBC beat its closest competitor by 16 percent (5.8 vs. a 5.0 for Fox from 7-10 p.m.). In total viewers on Sunday, NBC topped its nearest rival and by 18 percent, or more than 2.3 million persons (14.8 million from 7:30-11 p.m. for NBC vs. 12.5 million from 7-11 p.m. for ABC). 

Also on Sunday, “Football Night in America 2″ from 7:30-7:58 p.m. ET averaged a 1.7/5 in 18-49, 4.3 million viewers overall and a 2.9/5 household rating/share. “Football Night in America 3″ from 7:58-8:15 p.m. delivered a 3.5/10 in 18-49, 9.0 million viewers overall and a 5.7/10 in households. From 8:15-8:23 p.m., “NBC Sunday Night Football Pre Kickoff” averaged a 4.5/13 in 18-49, 11.9 million viewers overall and a 7.4/12 in households. Note: “Football Night in America” from 7-7:30 p.m. ET was sustaining programming and does not figure in the nightly or weekly primetime averages. 

This marks NBC’s ninth consecutive Sunday primetime win in adults 18-49. 

WEEKLY AVERAGES 
Average rating, share and audience in each category 

ADULTS 18-49 

ABC 3.8/10, 5.0 million 
NBC 3.3/9, 4.4 million 
CBS 3.1/6, 4.1 million 
Fox 3.0/8, 4.0 million 
UNI 1.5/4, 1.9 million 
CW 1.3/3, 1.7 million 
TEL 0.4/1, 0.6 million 

Each rating point equals 1.32 million viewers 

ADULTS 25-54 

ABC 4.5/11, 5.6 million 
CBS 4.1/10, 5.0 million 
NBC 3.6/9,4.5 million 
Fox 3.2/8, 4.0 million 
UNI 1.4/3, 1.7 million 
CW 1.1/3, 1.4 million 
TEL 0.4/1, 0.5 million 

Each rating point equals 1.24 million viewers 

TOTAL VIEWERS 

ABC 4.2/11, 12.3 million 
CBS 3.9/10, 11.3 million 
NBC 2.9/7, 8.3 million 
Fox 2.6/7, 7.5 million 
UNI 1.3/3, 3.7 million 
CW 1.0/2, 2.9 million 
TEL 0.3/1, 1.0 million 

Each rating point equals 2.90 million viewers 

via CW Press Release:

AGAINST “TRADITIONAL” PREMIERE WEEK COMPETITION,

THE CW POSTS MORE YEAR-TO-YEAR GAINS

THAN ANY OTHER NETWORK

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