'THE VOICE' LEADS NBC'S PRIMETIME WEEK OF MARCH 19-25

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

'THE VOICE' LEADS NBC TO A MONDAY WIN WITH THE NIGHT'S #1 RATING IN 18-49 AND A 31 PERCENT MARGIN OF VICTORY OVER BOTH THE 'DANCING WITH THE STARS' DEBUT AND CBS'S COMEDY BLOCK

MONDAY'S 'SMASH' BEATS NBC'S PRE-'SMASH' AVERAGE IN THE TIME SLOT BY 120 PERCENT

ON TUESDAY, 'BIGGEST LOSER' MATCHES ITS HIGHEST 18-49 RATING IN 10 WEEKS

TUESDAY'S 'FASHION STAR' BECOMES THE SEASON'S FIRST NEW UNSCRIPTED SERIES ON ABC, CBS, NBC OR FOX TO GROW FROM WEEK ONE TO WEEK TWO

ON WEDNESDAY, 'WHITNEY' INCREASES WEEK TO WEEK BY 14 PERCENT AND 'CHELSEA' GROWS BY 27 PERCENT

ON THURSDAY, 'COMMUNITY' SCORES ITS SECOND-HIGHEST 18-49 RATING SINCE SEPTEMBER

ON SUNDAY, 'CELEBRITY APPRENTICE' GROWS 57 PERCENT IN 18-49 FROM ITS FIRST HALF-HOUR TO ITS FOURTH, TO RANK #1 AT 10:30 AMONG ABC, CBS AND NBC

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - March 27, 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, NBC has delivered an average 1.6 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49 and 5.3 million viewers overall for the week of March 19-25, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

The Monday hit "The Voice" ranked #2 for the week among all primetime shows on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49, marking the eighth 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-30 programs in 18-49 were NBC's "Biggest Loser" (tied for #23) and "Smash" (#26). In the valuable adult 18-34 demo, "The Voice" was #1, "Community" tied for #18, "Smash" tied for #21 and "30 Rock" tied for #25 (rankings exclude sports pre- and post-game shows).

Primetime averages for the week of March 19-25 in adults 18-49 were CBS (2.7/8), Fox (2.2/6), ABC (1.7/5), NBC (1.6/5) and CW (0.6/2). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (9.8 million), ABC (6.9 million), Fox (6.7 million), NBC (5.3 million) and CW (1.4 million).

NBC highlights for the week of March 19-25

* On Monday, "The Voice" was the #1 telecast of the night in adults 18-48, 18-34 and 25-54 and won its time period head to head by 31 percent in 18-49 rating over ABC's debut of "Dancing With the Stars" and CBS's comedy lineup.

* Also on Monday, "Smash" finished within 0.3 of a rating point of the slot lead among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 and led the hour among those networks in adults 18-34." This week's "Smash" beat NBC's time-period average for the season prior to "Smash" by 120 percent in 18-49.

* NBC won the highly competitive night Monday to claim its sixth Monday win in seven weeks in adults 18-49.

* On Tuesday "The Biggest Loser" matched its highest 18-49 rating in 10 weeks and attracted its biggest overall audience in four weeks.

* Tuesday's "Fashion Star" became the first new unscripted series this season to increase in 18-49 rating or total viewers from week one to week two. "Fashion Star" sewed up week-to-week gains of 13 percent in 18-49 and 5 percent in total viewers.

* On Wednesday, "Whitney" grew week to week by 14 percent in 18-49 rating and "Are You There, Chelsea?" increased by 27 percent.

* On Thursday, "Community" equaled its second-highest 18-49 rating since September 29 and ranked #1 in the time period among men 18-34 ahead of Fox's "American Idol" and CBS's NCAA basketball.

* On Sunday, "The Celebrity Apprentice" grew from its first half-hour to its fourth by 57 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 19-25:

On Monday, March 19 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Voice" (4.6 rating, 12 share in adults 18-49, 12.0 million viewers overall) delivered the #1 ratings of the night on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox in adults 18-49, 18-34 and 25-54, winning its highly competitive time period in adults 18-49 by a 31 percent margin over both ABC's premiere of "Dancing With the Stars" (3.5/9) and CBS's comedies (3.5/9 from 8-10 p.m.). Versus NBC's averages in the time period this season prior to "The Voice," this week's telecast is up 156 percent in 18-49 rating (with a 4.6 vs. a 1.8) and up 114 percent in total viewers (11.950 million vs. 5.587 million). "The Voice" has now generated NBC's seven highest non-Olympic 18-49 ratings in this slot in four years (since January 14, 2008).

From its first half-hour to its fourth, "The Voice" grew by 20 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 4.9 from a 4.1), easily the most growth over those two hours on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox..

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, "Smash" (2.2/6 in 18-49, 6.6 million viewers overall) finished within 0.2 of a rating point of its prior week's rating despite the return this week of original competition from CBS's "Hawaii Five-0" and ABC's "Castle." "Smash" finished within 0.3 of a rating point of the time-period lead in adults 18-49 among ABC, CBS and NBC and was #1 in adults 18-34, men 18-34 (tie) women 18-34 and women 18-49. "Smash" has now delivered NBC's seven highest 18-49 ratings in this time period since January 17, 2011. This week's "Smash" beat NBC's time-period average this season prior to "Smash" by 120 percent in 18-49 rating (with a 2.3 vs. a 1.0) and by 70 percent in total viewers (6.6 million vs. 3.9 million).

"The Voice" and "Smash" led NBC to the nightlong ratings win in adults 18-49 and other key demographics on a highly competitive Monday night against full original competition. NBC has now won six of the last seven Mondays in 18-49 after having not won an in-season Monday with regularly scheduled programming in four years

On Tuesday, March 20, from 8-9 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser 13" (2.3/7 in 18-49, 6.8 million viewers overall) tipped the scales with its best 18-49 and total-viewer results in four weeks (since February 21) and equaled the show's highest 18-49 rating in 10 weeks (since January 10). "Biggest Loser" is up in 18-49 rating by 10 percent versus the prior week (to a 2.3 from a 2.1) and up 15 percent versus two weeks ago (2.3 vs. 2.0). In the time period, "Biggest Loser" ranked #2 in 18-49, total viewers and other key categories. "The Biggest Loser 13" grew from its first half-hour to its fourth by 19 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.5 from a 2.1) and 18 percent or 1.1 million persons in total viewers (7.3 million vs. 6.2 million).

Tuesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, week two of "Fashion Star" (1.8/5 in 18-49, 4.8 million viewers overall) grew versus the prior week's premiere figures by 13 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.8 from a 1.6) and by 5 percent in total viewers (4.8 million vs. 4.6 million). It's the first unscripted premiere this year on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox to increase in its regular time period from week one to week two in 18-49 rating or total viewers. In the time slot, "Fashion Star" finished #2 among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 and #1 in adults 18-34, women 18-34 and women 18-49.

For Tuesday night, NBC ranked #2 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key categories.

On Wednesday, March 21 from 8-8:30 p.m. ET, "Whitney" (1.6/5 in 18-49, 4.2 million viewers overall) grew week to week by 14 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.6 from a 1.4), matching its highest rating since February 15. In an intensely competitive time period opposite Fox's "American Idol," CBS's "Survivor: One World" and ABC's encore "The Middle," "Whitney" grew in total viewers week to week by 7 percent (to 4.2 million from 3.9 million). Note that first-run telecasts of "Whitney" have averaged a 37 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?" (1.4/4 in 18-49, 3.5 million viewers overall) grew versus the prior week by 27 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.4 from a 1.1) and by 20 percent in total viewers (3.5 million vs. 2.9 million) in a highly competitive time period opposite Fox's "American Idol," CBS's "Survivor: One World" and ABC's rebroadcast of "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, the premiere of "Bent" delivered a 1.0/3 in 18-49 and 2.7 million viewers overall against competition that included Fox's "American Idol," CBS's "Criminal Minds" and ABC's "Modern Family" encore. It's NBC's top 18-49 rating in the half-hour since February 8. At 9:30 p.m., a second telecast of "Bent" averaged a 0.8/2 in 18-49 and 2.4 million viewers overall.

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Rock Center with Brian Williams" averaged a 0.7/2 in adults 18-49 and 3.0 million viewers overall, improving versus the prior week by 17 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 0.7 from a 0.6) and 15 percent in total viewers (3.016 million vs. 2.613 million).

On Thursday, March 22 at 8 p.m. ET, "Community" (1.7/6 in 18-49, 3.9 million viewers overall) matched its second highest 18-49 rating since September 29 and delivered its second biggest overall audience since that same date, behind only the prior week's strong numbers for the first "Community" original in three months. In the time period, "Community" is tied for #2 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49, #2 outright in adults 18-34 and #1 in men 18-34 ahead of CBS's NCAA basketball coverage and of Fox's "American Idol." Keep in mind that on average this season, original telecasts of "Community" have been adding 39 percent to these next-day "live plus same day" 18-49 ratings when Nielsen includes additional time-shifted viewing in "live plus seven day" results.

At 8:30 ET, "30 Rock" averaged a 1.5/4 in 18-49 and 3.3 million viewers overall in a highly competitive time period versus Fox's "American Idol," CBS's NCAA basketball and ABC's "Missing." Note that "30 Rock" originals have been adding 47 percent to these next-day "live plus same day" ratings when Nielsen issues "live plus seven day" results so far this season.

From 9-9:31 p.m. ET, a second original telecast of "30 Rock" (1.6/4 in 18-49, 3.4 million viewers overall) built versus the prior half-hour by 7 percent in adults 18-49 and by 4 percent in total viewers.

At 9:31 ET, "Up All Night" (1.5/4 in 18-49, 3.2 million viewers overall) retained 94 percent of its 18-49 lead-in and 95 percent of its total-viewer lead-in. Note that "Up All Night" originals have been adding 51 percent to these next-day "live plus same day" ratings when Nielsen issues "live plus seven day" results so far this season.

At 10 p.m. ET, "Awake" averaged a 1.2/3 in 18-49 and 4.7 million viewers overall. Note that "Awake" has started out as one of the most time-shifted shows on television, with the "live plus same day" rating for its premiere growing by 56 percent when Nielsen issued "live plus seven day" ratings for that week (to a 3.05 rating from a 1.96).

On Friday, March 23, at 8 p.m. ET, "Who Do You Think You Are?" averaged a 1.0/3 in 18-49 and 5.6 million viewers overall and ranked #2 among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in women 18-49 and women 25-54. This is the second-highest total-viewer result for "Who Do You Think You Are?" since February 3.

Friday at 9 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "Grimm" delivered a 0.7/2 in 18-49 and 3.0 million viewers overall.

Friday at 10 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (0.9/3 in 18-49, 4.4 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 29 percent in 18-49 and by 31 percent in total viewers. From its first half-hour to its second, "Dateline" grew by 13 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 0.9 from a 0.8) and 49 percent in total viewers (4.4 million vs. 3.0 million).

On Saturday, March 24 at 8 p.m. ET, the USA drama "Fairly Legal" averaged a 0.3/1 in 18-49 and 1.7 million viewers overall. At 9 p.m., "The Firm" averaged a 0.4/1 in 18-49 and 2.9 million viewers overall. And at 10 p.m. ET, an encore of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" captured a 0.7/2 in 18-49 and 3.6 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its second, "SVU" grew in all key ratings categories, including gains of 50 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 0.9 rating from a 0.6) and 36 percent or 1.1 million persons in total viewers (4.2 million vs. 3.1 million).

On Sunday, March 25 from 7-8 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" averaged a 1.0/3 in 18-49 and 5.7 million viewers overall.

Sunday from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Harry's Law" averaged a 0.8/2 in 18-49 and 8.1 million viewers overall, growing from its first half-hour to its second by 13 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 0.9 from a 0.8) and by 12 percent in total viewers (8.6 million vs. 7.6 million). Versus NBC's non-sports average in the time period last season, "Harry's Law" was up by 70 percent in total viewers (8.088 million vs. 4.756 million).

Sunday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "The Celebrity Apprentice" delivered a 1.8/5 in 18-49 and 6.0 million viewers overall in a competitive time period that included ABC's "Desperate Housewives" and "GCB," Fox's "Family Guy" encore 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 57 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.2 from a 1.4), to rank #1 at 10:30 among ABC, CBS and NBC. "Apprentice" also grew from its first half-hour to its last by 36 percent or 1.9 million persons in total viewers (7.1 million vs. 5.2 million). "Celebrity Apprentice" built on NBC's results in the prior hour from 8-9 p.m. ET by 125 percent in 18-49 rating.

For its second hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, "The Celebrity Apprentice" tied "GCB" for #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 and finished #1 outright in adults 25-54 and all key adult-male demos.