Press release from NBC, Sept. 15, 2016:

The season finale of “America’s Got Talent” (2.7/10 in 18-49, 14.1 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m. ET):

• Jumps +29% versus its year-ago finale in 18-49 (2.7 vs. 2.1 from 9-11 p.m. on Sept. 16, 2015) and +46% or +4.5 million persons in total viewers (14.138 million vs. 9.685 million), despite running an hour earlier this year.
• Scores as the top “Talent” finale in five years in 18-49 and total viewers (since a 3.6 and 14.374 million on Sept. 14, 2011).
• Wins the slot among the Big 4 in every key measure.
• Grows +35% week to week in 18-49 (2.7 vs. 2.0) and +33% in total viewers (14.138 million vs. 10.606 million).
• Is the #1 show of the night on the Big 4in adults 18-49 and all other key measures.

Will add substantial viewership via time-shifting and VOD – last week’s “Talent” increased by +18% in 18-49 (1.96 to 2.32) and +1.5 million viewers overall (10.6 million to 12.1 million) going from L+SD to L+3, for the biggest total-viewer lift of the night.

A special 10 p.m. season-two debut of “Blindspot” (1.6/6 in 18-49, 7.3 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET):

• Generated strong sampling, growing +24% from last May’s season finale in total viewers (7.284 million vs. 5.854 million from 10:01-11 p.m. on Monday, May 23) to deliver its most-watched episode since Nov. 16, 2015 (7.7 million).
• Increases +23% from its season finale in 18-49 (1.6 vs. 1.3 on May 23), to score the show’s highest rating since March 28 (1.6).
• Delivers NBC’s best 18-49 rating in the slot since Feb. 24, excluding Olympics and biggest overall audience excluding Olympics since Feb. 17 (7.451 million).
• Wins the slot among ABC, CBS and NBC in every key measure.
• Beats by +23% NBC’s average in the hour last season in 18-49 (1.6 vs. 1.3, L+SD non-sports) and by +24% in total viewers (7.284 million vs. 5.890 million).
• Will add significant viewership via time-shifting and VOD – last season, “Blindspot” grew by +82% in 18-49 rating (from a 1.84 to a 3.34) and 4.8 million viewers overall (6.9 million to 11.7 million) going from L+SD to L+7.

SEASON BACKGROUND ON “AMERICA’S GOT TALENT”

In its 11th season, “America’s Got Talent” headed into its finale week…

• Delivering its top-rated season in 18-49 in three years (with a 3.0 “most current” for its Tuesday and Wednesday originals combined, “AGT’s” best since 2013, 3.1).
• Generating its most-watched season in five years (with 13.4 million, best since 2011, 13.6 million).
• Growing by +7% versus one year ago in 18-49 (3.0 vs. 2.8, “most current,” Tues-Wed originals combined).
• Up +10% in total viewers (13.4 million vs. 12.1 million).
• Having finished #1 among all primetime entertainment programs on the Big 4 networks every week it’s aired this summer in both adults 18-49 and total viewers.
• Ranked as the summer’s #1 alternative series in total viewers for an 11th year in a row.

In Late-Night Metered Markets Wednesday Night:

• In Nielsen’s 56 metered markets, household results were: “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” 2.4/7; “Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” 1.8/5; and ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” 1.4/4 with an encore.
• In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, adult 18-49 results were: “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” 0.7/4; “Late Show,” 0.4/2; and “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” 0.5/3 with an encore.
• From 12:35-1:05 a.m. ET, ABC’s “Nightline” averaged a 1.0/4 in metered-market households and a 0.3/2 in 18-49 in the Local People Meters.
• From 12:35-1:35 a.m. ET, “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (1.2/4 in metered-market households) beat CBS’s “Late Late Show” (1.0/4). In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, “Late Night” (0.3/3 in 18-49) tied “Late Late Show” (0.3/2).
• At 1:35 a.m., “Last Call with Carson Daly” averaged a 0.7/3 in metered-market households and a 0.2/2 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.

NOTE: Primetime results are based on “fast affiliate time period” data from Nielsen Media Research. All ratings are “live plus same day” unless otherwise indicated.