Thursday, June 22, 2006

AMERICA′S GOT TALENT A Major Hit For NBC - Winning Last Night Ratings War

Last night′s debut of AMERICA′S GOT TALENT delivered NBC′s highest non-Olympic adult 18-49 rating and total viewership in the time period in 14 months, according to preliminary "fast affiliate-based" "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research. Paced by AMERICA′S GOT TALENT, NBC won Wednesday night in adults 18-49 and in total viewers.

From 9-11 p.m. ET, the premiere of AMERICA′S GOT TALENT (4.6 rating, 14 share in adults 18-49, 12.1 million viewers overall) scored NBC′s top results in the slot since April 20, 2005, winning its two-hour time period in adults 18-49 and total viewers versus competition that included Fox′s original series SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE.

AMERICA′S GOT TALENT was up 84 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC′s average in the time period last summer (4.6 vs. 2.5) and up 44 percent versus NBC′s average in the time period during the recently concluded 2005-06 regular season (4.6 vs. 3.2). This marks the highest 18-49 rating for any non-sports telecast on any network since the June 5 season finale of DEAL OR NO DEAL and second-highest since the May sweep ended on May 24.

In adults 18-49, this marks NBC′s second Wednesday win in the last four weeks. In total viewers, it′s NBC′s first Wednesday win since Dec. 21. Preliminary 18-49 averages for Wednesday night are: NBC, a 3.8 rating, 12 share; Fox, 3.5/11; CBS 2.3/7; ABC, 1.3/4; WB, 0.6/2; UPN, 0.3/1. In overall total viewers, June 21 preliminary results are: NBC, 10.2 million; Fox, 8.9 million; CBS, 7.8 million; ABC, 3.6 million; WB, 1.7 million; UPN, 0.7 million.