Hello, Adele, and welcome to NBC’s rapidly growing roster of one-time-only hits.
Last night’s "Adele Live in New York City" was the highest-rated primetime music special among adults 18 to 49 on any broadcast network in 10 years, with a dominant 3.0 rating/10 share at 10 p.m. (based on the fast affiliate data from Nielsen, and excluding music awards shows and New Year’s Eve specials). The previous high was NBC’s "Eagles Farewell Tour" from June 1, 2005.
With 11.2 million viewers, "Adele Live in New York" also easily won the time period in total viewers. Overall, it was the most-watched broadcast music special on any network since CBS’ "Beatles Salute" on Feb. 9, 2014 (14.0 million). It was also NBC’s most-watched concert special (excluding award shows) since "Cher: Farewell Tour" on April 8, 2003. (16.6 million). And it gave NBC’s its highest rating among 18- to 49-year-olds in the hour since the "Blindspot" series premiere (3.1 on Sept. 21).
Last Thursday, Dolly Parton’s made-for-television movie, "Coat of Many Colors," became the most-watched film on any broadcast network since 2012. One week earlier, the network’s latest live musical, "The Wiz Live," scored more than 11 million viewers, all but guaranteeing a 4th entry in the series.
Coupled with "The Voice" from 8-10 p.m., NBC handily beat the competing networks last night with an average 13.0 million viewers and a 3.1 rating/10 share in adults 18 to 49. Second in both categories was CBS’ regularly scheduled combination of "Supergirl," "Scorpion" and "NCIS: Los Angeles" at 8.7 million viewers and 1.6/ 5 in the demo. ABC’s holiday-themed combo — "The Great Christmas Light Fight" and "The Great Holiday Baking Show" — finished third. Encore telecasts of "Gotham" and "Bones" on Fox and a repeat telecast of the "Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show" and an original "Jane the Virgin" on The CW could not compete. The overall results are as follows:
Monday 12/14/15
Total Viewers:
NBC: 13.0 million, CBS: 8.7, ABC: 4.7, Fox: 1.4, CW: 1.1
Adults 18-49:
NBC: 3.1 rating/10 share, CBS: 1.6/ 5, ABC: 1.2/ 4, Fox and CW: 0.4/ 1 each