Press release from NBC, Nov. 26, 2013:

NBC has won its second consecutive November sweep in adults 18-49, marking the first time in 10 years, since 2002 and 2003, that NBC has won two November sweeps in a row, according to “live plus same day” viewership data from Nielsen Media Research.

NBC also ranks #1 for the sweep among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-34, adults 25-54, men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 and women 18-34 and 18-49.

With 25 of 28 nights counted in the November sweep, NBC is averaging a 2.6 rating, putting the network within 0.2 of a point of its 2.8 rating at this point during the November 2012 sweep. In averages through Sunday, Nov. 24, NBC leads sweep runner-up CBS by 0.4 of a point or 18%, with Monday through Wednesday results yet to be factored into sweep averages. If NBC finishes the sweep with that 18% margin, it would be biggest percentage advantage for any network in a November sweep since NBC won by 19% in 2002. In ratings points, the 0.4 margin would match the biggest for any network in a November sweep in four years (since Fox won by 0.5 in 2009).

If NBC maintains its total-viewer average of 8.2 million through the conclusion of the sweep, it would be the network’s top total-viewer result for a November sweep in six years (since averaging 8.5 million in 2007, L+SD). Versus last year, NBC is currently up 4% in total viewers for the sweep to date. The sweep concludes Wednesday night, Nov. 27 and Nielsen is scheduled to have “live plus same day” official national results for the full 28-day period on Monday, Dec.2.

For the November sweep, NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” ranked as the #1 primetime series on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49, averaging an 8.6 rating in “live plus same day.” “The Voice” (3.6 with its Monday edition) is the #1 unscripted series of the sweep and “The Blacklist” (2.9) is the #1 new series and tied for the #1 drama.

“SNF” is the #1 primetime show of the sweep on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in every key category – adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, plus total viewers – as well as kids 2-11 and teens 12-17.

November Sweep Live Plus Same Day
25 of 28 Nights

Net…Adult 18-49 Rating…Adult 25-54 Rating…Total Viewers

NBC…2.6…3.1…8.232 million
CBS…2.2…3.0…10.334 million
ABC…2.0…2.5…7.623 million
Fox…1.7…1.9…4.854 million

In “most current” results for the first nine weeks of the 2013-14 season to date, NBC ranks #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49 and is also #1 in every other key demo – adults, men and women 18-34; men and women 18-49; and adults, men and women 25-54, including a tie with CBS in women 25-54.

In adults 18-49 so far this season, NBC has ranked #1 or tied for #1 during eight of nine weeks. NBC leads the season by 0.5 of a rating point (with a 3.2 vs. second-place CBS’s 2.7), the biggest margin for any network nine weeks into the season in 11 years (since NBC led by 0.9 of a point in 2002).

In total viewers, NBC ranks #2 for the season, its highest total-viewer ranking nine weeks into a season in nine years (since 2004).

NBC’s season average of 9.7 million viewers is its biggest overall audience nine weeks into the season in seven years (since 2006, 10.3 million). Versus one year ago, NBC is up 9% season to date in total viewers (9.7 million vs. 8.9 million).

“Sunday Night Football” is the #1 series of the season in adults 18-49, “The Voice” is the #1 unscripted series and “The Blacklist” is both the #1 drama and the #1 new series.

So far this season, “The Blacklist” is averaging 16.9 million viewers overall in “most current” averages, making it NBC’s most-watched new series eight episodes into its run since “The Apprentice” debuted in early 2004 (19.2 million viewers through eight telecasts) and NBC’s top new drama since “Earth 2” launched in the fall of 1994 (17.7 million through eight episodes).

November sweep averages are in “live plus same day” results from Nielsen Media Research, while season averages are in “most current,” which includes “live plus seven day” results except for the two most recent weeks, which are “live plus same day.”