NBC WINS PREMIERE WEEK IN EVERY KEY DEMO, WITH THE SECOND-BIGGEST ADULT 18-49 MARGIN FOR ANY NET IN 11 YEARS

It's NBC's Second-Biggest Debut-Week 18-49 Rating in Six Years and Most-Watched Premiere Week in Eight Years

'Sunday Night Football' Ranks #1 Among Big 4 Primetime Shows for the Week in Nearly All Key Measures; Also Ranking in the Top 30 in 18-49 are Two Nights of 'The Voice,' 'The Blacklist,' 'Chicago Fire' and 'SVU'

NBC Wins the Opening Night of the Season in 18-49 with the Top Monday 'Voice' Since March 17 and the Second-Best 'Blacklist' Ever

'Voice' and 'Chicago Fire' Sweep Six of Six Tuesday Half-Hours Among the Big 4 in 18-49; 'Voice' Matches Its Highest Tuesday Note Since Oct. 2013, 'Chicago Fire' Equals Its Second-Hottest Rating Ever

NBC Wins Premiere Wednesday in Total Viewers for the First Time in 11 Years; 'Mysteries of Laura' and 'Chicago P.D.' Win Their Hours; 'SVU' Captures its Biggest Audience Since Jan. 2011

Thursday's 'Parenthood' Equals Its Top Rating Since October 2013; 'Biggest Loser' Retains 100% of the Prior Week Despite Fierce Time-Slot Competition

'Dateline NBC' Hits a Six-Month Friday High in 18-49

Saints-Cowboys 'Sunday Night Football' Wins the Night Among the Big 4 in Every Key Measure

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - Sept. 30, 2014 - NBC has finished #1 in the key adult 18-49 demographic for premiere week of the 2014-15 primetime television season, with the network's second biggest premiere-week rating in six years and most-watched premiere week in eight years. According to "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, NBC averaged a 3.0 rating, 10 share in adults 18-49 and 10.0 million viewers overall for the Sept. 22-28 week. NBC has now won premiere week in 18-49 three years in a row.

NBC won the week in 18-49 by 0.6 of a point (3.0 vs. a 2.4 for #2 CBS), the second biggest premiere-week margin for any network in 11 years, trailing since 2003-04 only last year's 0.8 win for NBC.

The 3.0 rating in 18-49 is NBC's second-best premiere week rating in six years, within just a tenth of a rating point of last year's 3.1 and otherwise NBC's best since a 3.3 for premiere week in 2008-09.

In total viewers, it's NBC's most-watched premiere week in eight years (since 11.0 million in 2006-07). NBC finished premiere week #2 in total viewers for a second year in a row, after having finished premiere week #3 or #4 for the prior eight years in a row.

NBC won this year's premiere week among the Big 4 networks in every key demographic - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

NBC's dominant win in adults 18-49 comes on the heels of the network's #1 finish for the 2013-14 broadcast year in 18-49, the network's first full-season win in 10 years.

NBC's "Sunday Night Football" was premiere week's #1 primetime telecast on the Big 4 networks in nearly every key ratings category, adults 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54; men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54; women 18-34 and 18-49; and total viewers, plus kids 2-11 and teens 12-17.

Joining "Sunday Night Football" among top 30 primetime shows on the Big 4 in adults 18-49 last week were Tuesday's "The Voice" (#6), Monday's "The Voice" (tied for #7), Monday's "The Blacklist" (#13), Tuesday's "Chicago Fire" (tied for #20) and Wednesday's "Law & Order: SVU" (tied for #26).

Primetime averages for the week of Sept. 22-28 in adults 18-49 are: NBC, 3.0/10; CBS, 2.4/8; ABC, 2.2/7; Fox, 2.0.6; and CW, 0.3/1. In overall total viewers, the weekly averages were: CBS, 10.9 million; NBC, 10.0 million; ABC, 8.3 million; Fox, 5.2 million; and CW, 0.8 million.

NBC highlights for the week of Sept. 22-28:

Monday: NBC won the opening night of the 2014-15 season in adults 18-49 with the top "Voice" since March 17 and the second-highest-rated "Blacklist" ever.

"The Voice" (3.9 rating, 11 share in adults 18-49, 12.9 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) jumped by +18% versus its finale in May in 18-49 (3.9 vs. 3.3) and by +11% in total viewers (12.9 million vs. 11.7 million), despite intense competition this week from "Big Bang Theory," the series debut of "Gotham" and "Dancing With the Stars." In the time period, "The Voice" ranked #1 among adults 18-34 and all key adult-female demos. "The Voice" grew dramatically throughout its two hours with this half-hour track in adults 18-49: 3.4, 3.7, 4.2, 4.4.

"The Voice" scored its highest 18-49 and total-viewer results since March 17 (4.1 in 18-49, 13.5 million viewers overall).

L+3: In "live plus three day" Nielsens, Monday's "The Voice" (5.04 rating in adults 18-49, 15.465 million viewers overall) delivered the show's biggest gains ever in adults 18-49 (up 1.11 rating points, to a 5.04 from a 3.93) and total viewers (up 2.517 million viewers, to 15.465 million from 12.948 million) going from L+SD to L+3.

"The Blacklist" (3.4/10 in 18-49, 12.3 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) is the #1 drama of the night in 18-49, capturing the show's top results since its series debut one year earlier (3.8/10 in 18-49, 12.6 million viewers on Sept. 23, 2013), making this the #2 "Blacklist" ever in 18-49 and total viewers (L+SD). "The Blacklist" dominated the time period among ABC, CBS and NBC in every key measure and nearly matched the combined ABC-CBS result in adults 18-49 (with a 3.4 versus a combined 3.5 for CBS's "Under the Dome" and ABC's "Forever" preview).

"The Blacklist" grew by +31% versus its finale in May in 18-49 (3.4 vs. 2.6) and by +18% in total viewers (12.3 million vs. 10.4 million).

L+3: "The Blacklist" (4.87 rating in adults 18-49, 17.4 million viewers overall) set a new series record of 17.4 million viewers, topping the previous high of 16.9 million in L+3 set with last year's series-premiere telecast on Sept. 23, 2013. "The Blacklist" grew by more than 5 million persons in total viewers from "live plus same day" to L+3 (12.3 million vs. 17.4 million) and now has 12 of the top 13 L+3 total-viewer lifts in U.S. television history, including each of the top four. In adults 18-49, the Sept. 22 "Blacklist" delivered its highest L+3 rating in 18-49 since Dec. 2, 2013 (4.88), the show's fall finale, growing in 18-49 by 1.49 rating points or +44%, up from last year's +1.28 or +33% for the series premiere on Sept. 23, 2013.

Tuesday: NBC won the opening Tuesday of the season in adults 18-49, taking six of six half-hours among the Big 4 networks with the #1 show of the night in every key demo, "The Voice," and the dominant 10 p.m. broadcast drama in 18-49, "Chicago Fire."

The Tuesday season debut of "The Voice" (4.1/13 in 18-49, 13.2 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) grew versus Monday's premiere in 18-49 by 5% (4.1 vs. 3.9) and total viewers by 2% (13.2 million vs. 12.9 million), marking the first time a Tuesday "Voice" debut has outdelivered a Monday premiere in either measure. "The Voice" grew steadily throughout its two-hour time period, with this half-hour track in 18-49: 3.4, 3.9, 4.4, 4.7. "The Voice" debuted up +24% versus last May's season finale in 18-49 (4.1 vs. 3.3 on May 20) and up +11% vs. the prior cycle's Tuesday premiere (4.1 vs. 3.7 on Feb. 25). This week's telecast equaled the show's top Tuesday 18-49 rating since Oct. 1, 2013 (4.5) and generated its biggest Tuesday total-viewer result since March 18 (13.3 million).

L+3: "The Voice" (4.94 rating in adults 18-49, 15.099 million viewers overall) grew by +20% in 18-49 (to a 4.94 from a 4.11) and 1.915 million viewers overall (to 15.099 million from 13.184 million) going from L+SD to L+3.

The third-season debut of "Chicago Fire" (2.6/8 in 18-49, 9.1 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) matched the show's second-highest rating ever in 18-49 and delivered its second biggest total-viewer result to date. It's the top "Chicago Fire" in 18-49 since Oct. 1, 2013 (2.6) and biggest in overall viewership since Dec. 10, 2013 (9.3 million). "Chicago Fire" won the hour among ABC, CBS and NBC by a +44% margin (2.6 vs. 1.8 for ABC's #2 "Forever") and topped CBS's "Person of Interest" by +53% (2.6 vs. 1.7), the biggest margin to date for "Chicago Fire" versus an original "Person." "Chicago Fire" jumped +37% versus last May's season finale in 18-49 (2.6 vs. 1.9 on May 13) and +28% in total viewers (9.1 million vs. 7.1 million).

L+3: "Chicago Fire" (3.53 rating in adults 18-49, 12.104 million viewers overall) set a new series record of 12.1 million viewers in L+3 and was up +4% versus last year's premiere (11.639 million). In 18-49, "Chicago Fire" delivered its highest L+3 result (3.53) since Oct. 1, 2013, growing +0.92 of a point or +35% versus the Sept. 23 L+SD 2.61 rating.

Wednesday: NBC won premiere Wednesday in total viewers for the first time since 2003, with slot wins for "Mysteries of Laura" and "Chicago P.D." and the top "SVU" since January 2011.

The regular-slot debut of "The Mysteries of Laura" (1.5/5 in 18-49, 10.0 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) won the hour in total viewers while retaining 98% of the prior week's preview, which aired at 10 p.m. and benefited from a lead-in from the high-rated season finale of "America's Got Talent." It was NBC's best result with in-season regularly scheduled programming versus all regularly scheduled competition in the Wednesday 8-9 p.m. hour since April 21, 2008. In 18-49, "Laura" equaled NBC's top rating in the slot with in-season regular programming since Oct. 2, 2012.

L+3: "The Mysteries of Laura" (1.88 rating in adults 18-49, 11.325 million viewers overall) grew by +23% in 18-49 (to a 1.88 from a 1.53) and 1.318 million viewers overall (to 11.325 million from 10.007 million) going from L+SD to L+3.

The 15thseason premiere of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2.2/6 in 18-49, 10.1 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. ET) delivered the show's most-watched season premiere in seven years (since Sept. 25, 2007) and its biggest total-viewer result for any telecast since Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011. In adults 18-49, "SVU" captured its highest rating in the year since a two-hour season premiere on Sept. 25, 2013 and jumped +38% versus the show's May season finale (1.6).

L+3: "Law & Order: SVU" (3.08 rating in adults 18-49, 12.415 million viewers overall) delivered its biggest increase ever in adults 18-49 going from L+SD results to L+3 (up 0.93 rating points, to a 3.08 from a 2.15).

The second season debut of "Chicago P.D." (1.9/6 in 18-49, 8.5 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) won the hour in total viewers with its biggest overall audience since the series premiere on Jan. 8. In 18-49, "Chicago P.D." finished within 5% of the show's series premiere rating last January (2.0) and jumped +19% versus its season finale in May (1.6). In adults 25-54, "Chicago P.D." equaled its series high (2.5).

L+3: "Chicago P.D." (2.81 rating in adults 18-49, 11.141 million viewers overall) generated its biggest gain ever in total viewers going from L+SD results to L+3 (up 2.636 million persons, to 11.141 million from 8.505 million).

Thursday: "The Biggest Loser" (1.3/4 in 18-49, 4.5 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET) matched the previous week's 1.3 rating in adults 18-49 and retained 97% of last week's result in total viewers (4.5 million vs.4.6 million), despite this week facing season premieres of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and "Scandal" and Fox's "Bones."

The sixth season premiere of "Parenthood" (1.4/4 in 18-49, 4.263 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) equaled the show's highest adult 18-49 rating since Oct. 3, 2013 (1.5 during week two of last season). "Parenthood" improved by 8% on the show's April 17 season finale in 18-49 (1.4 vs. 1.3) and was up +7% in total viewers (4.3 million vs. 4.0 million).

Friday: An encore telecast of "The Mysteries of Laura" (0.7/3 in 18-49, 4.8 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) matched NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the time period since July 25.

"Dateline NBC" (1.4/5 in 18-49, 6.9 million viewers overall from 9-11 p.m. ET) grew +8% in 18-49 and +6% in total viewers versus its year-ago premiere-week results (1.3/4 in 18-49, 6.5 million viewers from 9-11 on Sept. 27, 2013) to earn its highest Friday 18-49 rating in six months (since March 28, a 1.5).

Saturday: An encore telecast of "The Voice" (0.6/2 in 18-49, 2.7 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) ranked #2 in the time period among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and tied for #1 among those networks in women 25-54 (with a 0.9 rating).

The NBC News Special "Music for Change: The Global Citizen Festival" was aired as sustaining programming and will not be included in NBC's nightlong or weeklong averages.

"SNL Vintage" (0.9/3 in 18-49, 3.2 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET), featuring a rebroadcast of a Dec. 13, 1975 telecast of "Saturday night Live" with host Richard Pryor and musical guest Gil Scott-Heron, grew by +13% in 18-49 rating and +16% in total viewers versus last season's averages for Saturday 10 p.m. "SNL" encores (0.8 in 18-49, 2.7 million viewers overall, L+SD).

Sunday: NBC Sports' "Sunday Night Football" (8.7/25 in 18-49, 22.7 million viewers overall from 8:31-11:01 p.m. ET), featuring the New Orleans Saints at the Dallas Cowboys, led NBC to nightlong wins among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in every key measure. Versus "SNF's" fourth Sunday one year ago, the Saints-Cowboys game was up +14% in adults 18-49 (to an 8.7 rating vs. a 7.6) and up +11% in total viewers (22.7 million vs. 20.5 million). These are the second best 18-49 and total-viewer results for any "Sunday Night Football" telecast on the opening Sunday of a primetime television season in the show's nine years on the NBC schedule.

For the night (from 7:30-11 p.m. ET), NBC averaged a 7.1/21 in 18-49 and 18.8 million viewers overall, giving it a +27% margin over #2 Fox in nightlong 18-49 averages (7.1 from 7:30-11 p.m. for NBC vs. 5.6 from 7-10 for Fox).