'THE VOICE' PACES NBC'S PRIMETIME WEEK OF MARCH 12-18

'THE VOICE' IS #2 FOR THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-49 AND #1 IN ADULTS 18-34 AND TEENS; IT'S THE EIGHTH WEEK IN A ROW 'THE VOICE' HAS BEEN THE #1 OR #2 SERIES IN 18-49

'COMMUNITY' RETURNS WITH A TOP-25 RATING IN ADULTS 18-49, WHILE TYING FOR #5 IN ADULTS 18-34 AND TYING FOR #2 IN MEN 18-34

'SMASH' AND 'THE OFFICE' ALSO DELIVER TOP-20 RANKINGS IN ADULTS 18-49 AND 18-34

NBC IS UP VS. THE SAME WEEK LAST YEAR FOR AN EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE WEEK IN 18-49

ON MONDAY, 'THE VOICE' LEADS ITS TIME PERIOD IN ALL KEY RATINGS CATEGORIES AND TOPS ABC'S SECOND-PLACE 'BACHELOR' FINALE BY 79 PERCENT IN 18-49

MONDAY'S 'SMASH' SCORES ITS SECOND-HIGHEST RESULTS IN FOUR WEEKS AND BEATS NBC'S PRE-'SMASH' AVERAGE IN THE TIME SLOT BY 140 PERCENT

ON TUESDAY, 'BIGGEST LOSER' HITS A THREE-WEEK HIGH TO TIE FOR THE SLOT LEAD AMONG ABC, CBS, NBC AND FOX IN 18-49

TUESDAY'S DEBUT OF 'FASHION STAR' RANKS #1 AMONG ABC, CBS, NBC AND FOX IN ITS SLOT I 18-49

ON THURSDAY, 'COMMUNITY' RETURNS WITH A 14-MONTH TIME-PERIOD HIGH IN 18-49 EXCLUDING SPORTS, AND WINS THE HALF-HOUR IN 18-34 AHEAD OF 'AMERICAN IDOL'

ALSO ON THURSDAY, '30 ROCK' MOVES TO 8:30 WITH A 33 PERCENT JUMP OVER ITS 18-49 AVERAGE EARLIER THIS SEASON IN THE 8 P.M. HALF-HOUR

THURSDAY'S 'AWAKE' BEATS NBC'S SLOT AVERAGE BEFORE 'AWAKE' BY 33 PERCENT IN 18-49

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - March 20, 2012 - With "The Voice" ranking as primetime's #2 show of the week on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox in adults 18-49 and #1 in adults 18-34 and teens, NBC has delivered an average 1.6 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49 and 5.5 million viewers overall for the week of March 12-18, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

Versus the same week last year, NBC is up 7 percent in 18-49 rating (with a 1.6 vs. a 1.5), marking the eighth consecutive week NBC has topped its rating for the same week last year. NBC also equaled or increased on its year-ago rating in all other key ratings categories last week.

The Monday hit "The Voice" ranked #2 for the week among all primetime shows on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49 with a 5.2 rating, 0.2 of a point behind the 5.4 for the #1 show, Wednesday's "American Idol" on Fox, and 0.6 ahead of the 4.6 for Thursday's "Idol." This marks the seventh week in a row "The Voice" has ranked #1 or #2 among primetime series on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox.

Also ranking among last week's top-25 programs in 18-49 were NBC's "Smash" (tied for #17), "The Office" (tied for #17) and "Community" (tied for #21). In the valuable adult 18-34 demo, "The Voice" was #1, "Community" tied for #5, "The Office" #8, "30 Rock" #16, "Smash" #18 and "Up All Night" tied for #21 (rankings exclude sports pre- and post-game shows).

On Thursday, "Community" returned to that night's acclaimed comedy lineup after a 10-week absence and tied for #21 in adults 18-49, tied for #5 in adults 18-34 and tied for #2 in men 18-34 (behind only Fox's "Family Guy"). With "The Voice" ranking #5 in men 18-34 and "The Office" #6, NBC had three of the top six primetime shows on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox in men 18-34 last week

Primetime averages for the week of March 12-18 in adults 18-49 were Fox (2.2/6), CBS (2.2/6), ABC (2.0/6), NBC (1.6/5) and CW (0.6/2). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (8.1 million), ABC (6.8 million), Fox (6.6 million), NBC (5.5 million) and CW (1.4 million).

NBC highlights for the week of March 12-18

* On Monday, "The Voice" prevailed versus special competition from ABC's "Bachelor" finale and the startup of Daylight Saving Time to dominate the 8-10 p.m. ET slot in all key ratings categories. "The Voice" out-rated ABC's "Bachelor" finale by 79 percent in adults 18-49 and 57 percent in total viewers.

* Also on Monday, "Smash" delivered its second-highest results of the last four weeks, despite special competition from ABC's "The Bachelor: After the Final Rose." This week's "Smash" beat NBC's time-period average for the season prior to "Smash" by 140 percent in 18-49.

* NBC dominated Monday night in all key categories and claimed its fifth Monday win in six weeks in adults 18-49.

* On Tuesday "The Biggest Loser" tied for #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49, grabbing a three-week high in 18-49 and total viewers despite the arrival of Daylight Saving Time and a shortened 90-minute time period.

* Tuesday's premiere of "Fashion Star" ranked #1 in the time period among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49.

* On Thursday, "Community" returned to the schedule with NBC's top non-sports rating in the time period in 18-49 since January 2011 and a 38 percent improvement on what "Community" originals were averaging in the slot earlier this season. "Community" led the half-hour over Fox's "American Idol" in adults 18-34.

* Thursday also saw "30 Rock" move to the 8:30 half-hour with a season-high 2.0 rating, up 33 percent from the show's average earlier this season for originals airing at 8 p.m. ET.

* Also on Thursday, "The Office" led its slot in adults 18-34, "Up All Night" scored a five-week high in total viewers and "Awake" topped NBC's 18-49 average in the time period prior to "Awake" by 33 percent.

* On Sunday, "The Celebrity Apprentice" grew from its first half-hour to its fourth by 50 percent, to rank #1 outright in adults 18-49 among ABC, CBS and NBC for its fourth half-hour from 10:30-11 p.m. ET.

Ratings reflect "live plus same day" data unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date figures are averages of "live plus seven day" data except for the two most recent weeks, which are "live plus same day."

Additional NBC highlights for the week of March 12-18:

On Monday, March 12 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Voice" (5.2 rating, 14 share in adults 18-49, 14.5 million viewers overall) led NBC to the nightlong win by dominating its time period, out-rating ABC's finale of "The Bachelor" by 79 percent in adults 18-49 (with a 5.2 rating vs. a 2.9) and 57 percent or 5.3 million persons in total viewers (14.5 million vs. 9.2 million). Versus NBC's averages in the time period this season prior to "The Voice," this week's telecast is up 189 percent in 18-49 rating (with a 5.2 vs. a 1.8) and up 160 percent in total viewers (14.5 million vs. 5.6 million). In its six weeks on the schedule, "The Voice" has generated NBC's six highest non-Olympic 18-49 ratings in this slot in nearly four and a half years (since September 24, 2007).

Despite the arrival of Daylight Saving Time and this week's special competition from the "Bachelor" finale, "The Voice" dominated the time period among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in every key ratings category -- adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, as well as total viewers.

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, "Smash" (2.4/6 in 18-49, 7.0 million viewers overall) delivered its second-highest 18-49 and total-viewer results in the past four weeks, despite this week's special competition from ABC's "The Bachelor: After the Final Rose." "Smash" has now delivered NBC's six highest 18-49 ratings in this time period since September 20, 2010, and this week's "Smash" beat NBC's time-period average for the season prior to "Smash" by 140 percent in 18-49 rating (with a 2.4 vs. a 1.0) and by 82 percent in total viewers (7.040 million vs. 3.864 million). Note that "Smash" grows by an average 35 percent above these next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 ratings when Nielsen adds the extra time-shifted viewing included in "live plus seven day" results

NBC led Monday night in all key categories, topping #2 ABC in adults 18-49 by a 40 percent margin (with a 4.2 rating vs. a 3.0). NBC has now won five of the last six Mondays in 18-49 after having not won an in-season Monday with regularly scheduled programming in four years

On Tuesday, March 13, from 8-9 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser 13" (2.1/5 in 18-49, 6.5 million viewers overall) tied for #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 outright in women 18-49 and women 25-54. "The Biggest Loser 13" grew from its first half-hour to its third by 21 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.3 from a 1.6). Despite the arrival of Daylight Saving Time and a shortened 90-minute telecast this week, "Biggest Loser" generated three-week highs in adults 18-49 and total viewers. Week to week, "Biggest Loser" grew by 5 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.1 from a 2.0) and 7 percent in total viewers (6.460 million vs. 6.033 million).

Tuesday from 9:30-11 p.m. ET, the premiere of "Fashion Star" (1.6/4 in 18-49, 4.6 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in the time period among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49. For its last full hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Fashion Star" finished #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 (tie) and all key adult-female demos. "Fashion Star" avoided any significant ratings fall-off from half-hour to half-hour, with this track from 9:30 to 11 p.m.: 1.6, 1.6, 1.5.

For the full night Tuesday, NBC tied for #2 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49, ranked #2 outright in total viewers and was #1 in women 18-34 (tie), women 18-49 and women 25-54.

On Wednesday, March 14 from 8-8:30 p.m. ET, "Whitney" averaged a 1.4/5 in 18-49 and 3.9 million viewers overall in an intensely competitive time period opposite Fox's "American Idol," CBS's "Survivor: One World" and ABC's "The Middle." Note that first-run telecasts of "Whitney" have averaged a 36 percent increase on these next-day "live plus same day" ratings when Nielsen has issued "live plus seven day" results.

Wednesday at 8:30 ET, "Are You There, Chelsea?" averaged a 1.1/3 in 18-49 and 2.9 million viewers overall in a highly competitive time period opposite Fox's "American Idol," CBS's "Survivor: One World" and ABC's "Suburgatory." Keep in mind that first-run telecasts of "Chelsea" have been adding 28 percent to these next-day "live plus same day" ratings when Nielsen issues "live plus seven day" results.

Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (0.7/2 in 18-49, 2.5 million viewers overall) grew from its first half-hour to its second by 17 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 0.7 rating from a 0.6) and 23 percent in total viewers (2.8 million vs. 2.3 million) in an intensely competitive time period against Fox's "American Idol," CBS's "Criminal Minds" and ABC's "Modern Family" and "Happy Endings." Note that first-run telecasts of "SVU" this season have averaged a 46 percent increase on these next-day "live plus same day" ratings when Nielsen issues "live plus seven day" results.

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Rock Center with Brian Williams" averaged a 0.6/2 in adults 18-49 and 2.6 million viewers overall). "Rock Center" grew from its first half-hour to its second by 20 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 0.6 from a 0.5), by 14 percent in adults 25-54 (0.8 vs. 0.7) and by 6 percent in total viewers (2.7 million vs. 2.5 million).

On Thursday, March 15 at 8 p.m. ET, "Community" (2.2/7 in 18-49, 4.8 million viewers) delivered NBC's highest non-sports rating in the time period in nearly 14 months (since January 27, 2011) and biggest overall audience since December 22, 2011. Versus its average earlier this season with originals in the time period, this week's "Community" was up 38 percent (2.2 vs. 1.6). In a highly competitive time slot versus Fox's "American Idol," CBS's NCAA Tournament coverage and ABC's premiere of "Missing," "Community" improved on its rating in this same slot on the same night last year by 29 percent (2.2 vs. 1.7) and was up in total viewers by 14 percent (4.753 million vs. 4.152 million). Keep in mind that on average this season, original telecasts of "Community" have been adding 39 percent to their next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 rating when Nielsen includes additional time-shifted viewing in "live plus seven day" ratings.

In the time period, "Community" finished #2 in adults 18-49 and #1, ahead of "American Idol," NCAA basketball and ABC's premiere of "Missing," in adults 18-34 and men 18-34. In the valuable adult 18-34 demo, "Community" tied as the #1 show of the night on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox with a 2.8 rating and it's the top "Community" rating in 18-34 since a 9:30 telecast during the show's third week on the air back on October 1, 2009.

Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET, "30 Rock" (2.0/6 in 18-49, 4.0 million viewers overall) scored a season-high rating in adults 18-49, jumping 33 percent above the 1.5 the show averaged earlier this season with an 8 p.m. start time. This week's "30 Rock" delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period since November 17. In the highly competitive half-hour versus Fox's "American Idol," CBS's NCAA basketball and ABC's premiere of "Missing," "30 Rock" finished #2 in adults 18-34 and #1 in men 18-34 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. Note that "30 Rock" originals have been adding 46 percent to these next-day "live plus same day" ratings when Nielsen issues "live plus seven day" results so far this season.

Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, "The Office" delivered a 2.4/8 in 18-49 and 4.9 million viewers overall against the special competition of CBS's NCAA basketball coverage. In the time period, "The Office" is #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-34 versus ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," CBS's NCAA basketball coverage and Fox's "Touch" encore. Note that on average this season, "Office" originals have been adding 47 percent to their next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 rating when Nielsen reports additional time-shifted viewing in "live plus seven day" ratings.

Thursday at 9:31 ET, "Up All Night" (1.7/4 in 18-49, 3.5 million viewers overall) matched its rating of one week earlier and grew week to week by 1 percent in total viewers (3.5 vs. 3.4 million) to achieve a five-week high in total viewers. Note that "Up All Night" originals have been adding 50 percent to these next-day "live plus same day" ratings when Nielsen issues "live plus seven day" results so far this season.

Thursday at 10 p.m. ET, "Awake" (1.6/4 in 18-49, 5.1 million viewers overall) maintained its rating of the prior week in adults 18-49 and jumped week to week by 18 percent in total viewers (to 5.120 million from 4.325 million). "Awake" has in its first three weeks earned NBC's three highest 18-49 ratings in this time period since December 8. In its second half-hour this week, "Awake" remained within a tenth of a point of its first half-hour (with a 1.5 rating vs. a 1.6). Versus NBC's season average in the time period prior to "Awake," this week's telecast is up 33 percent in 18-49 rating (with a 1.6 rating vs. a 1.2) and up 18 percent in total viewers (5.120 million vs. 4.327 million).

On Friday, March 16, at 8 p.m. ET, "Who Do You Think You Are?" averaged a 0.7/3 in 18-49 and 4.2 million viewers overall.

Friday at 9 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "Grimm" delivered a 0.8/2 in 18-49 and 3.4 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its second, "Grimm" grew by 14 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 0.8 from a 0.7).

Friday at 10 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.0/3 in 18-49, 4.6 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 25 percent in 18-49 and by 37 percent in total viewers.

On Saturday, March 17 at 8 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "Harry's Law" averaged a 0.5/2 in 18-49 and 3.8 million viewers overall. "Harry's Law" was the top non-sports choice in the time period among ABC, NBC and Fox in total viewers. From 9-10:30 p.m., an encore telecast of the Tuesday debut of "Fashion Star" averaged a 0.4/1 in 18-49 and 1.9 million viewers overall. And at 10:30 p.m., an encore of "Betty White's Off Their Rockers" delivered a 0.6/2 in 18-49 and 2.3 million viewers overall.

On Sunday, March 18 from 7-8 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 6.1 million viewers overall) equaled its highest 18-49 rating for a Sunday telecast since February 12 and attracted its biggest overall Sunday audience since that same date. "Dateline" grew from its first half-hour to its second by 20 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.2 from a 1.0).

Sunday from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Harry's Law" filed a 1.0/3 in 18-49 and 8.0 million viewers overall. Versus NBC's non-sports average in the time period last season, "Harry's Law" is up 67 percent in total viewers (7.965 million vs. 4.756 million, "live plus same day").

Sunday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "The Celebrity Apprentice" delivered a 1.8/4 in 18-49 and 5.8 million viewers overall in a competitive time period that included ABC's "Desperate Housewives" and "GCB," Fox's "Family Guy" and "American Dad" and CBS's "Amazing Race," "Good Wife" and "CSI: Miami." From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Celebrity Apprentice" grew by 50 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.1 from a 1.4, to rank #1 at 10:30 among ABC, CBS and NBC) and by 37 percent or 1.8 million persons in total viewers (6.8 million vs. 5.0 million). "Celebrity Apprentice" built on NBC's results in the prior hour from 8-9 p.m. by 80 percent in 18-49 rating (1.8 vs. 1.0).

For its second hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, "The Celebrity Apprentice" tied for #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 and was #1 outright among men 18-49 and men 25-54.