NBC JUMPS 50% VERSUS THE SAME WEEK LAST YEAR TO RANK #2 FOR THE FEB. 24-MARCH 2 WEEK IN 18-49

With Double-Digit Gains in Every Key Measure, NBC Ranks Behind Only Academy Awards-Boosted ABC in 18-49

Season to Date, NBC Ranks #1, Up 19% vs. One Year Ago and Holding the Lead This Late in the Season for the First Time in 10 Years

'The Voice,' 'Blacklist,' 'About a Boy,' 'Chicago P.D.,' 'Growing Up Fisher' and 'SVU' Rank Among the Week's Top 30 Primetime Show on the Big 4

'The Voice 6' Debuts With the Show's Top Rating Since September and Biggest Total-Viewer Score Since March 2012

'The Blacklist' Beats Its ABC and CBS Competition Combined in 18-49, Equals the Second-Best 'Blacklist' Rating Since September

NBC Ranks #1 on Feb. 25, With 'The Voice' Scoring the Net's Top Tuesday 8-9 p.m. Rating Since Oct. 1

An Encore of the 'About a Boy' Debut Beats the Show's Post-Olympic Original Telecast in 18-49, While a 'Growing Up Fisher' Rebroadcast Equals Its Post-Olympic First Run

'Chicago Fire' Returns from a Five-Week Break and Ties for the Tuesday 10-11 p.m. Win in 18-49

Wednesday's 'SVU' Equals Its High Rating Since Jan. 8

'Chicago P.D.' Locks Up a Series High and the Best Wednesday 10 p.m. ET Rating for Any CBS, ABC or NBC Regular in the Slot This Season

Friday's 'Hannibal' Season Debut Tops Last Year's Season Finale in 18-49 by 0.3 of a Point or 38%

Saturday's Penguins-Blackhawks Coverage is NBC's Most-Watched Regular-Season NHL Telecast, Excluding 'Winter Classics,' in People-Meter History

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - March 4, 2014 - NBC has finished #2 among the Big 4 networks for the primetime ratings week of Feb. 24-March 2 behind only Academy Awards-boosted ABC. According to "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, NBC averaged a 1.8 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49 and 6.3 million viewers overall for the week of Feb. 24-March 2, to jump 50% above its 1.2 rating in 18-49 for the same week last year and 53% above its year-ago average of 4.1 million viewers.

NBC was up versus the same week last year by double-digit percentages in every key ratings measure.

Monday's edition of "The Voice" ranked #4 among the week's primetime programs on the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49, with the Tuesday "Voice" ranking #6 and Monday's "The Blacklist" tying for #9. Also ranking among the top 30 primetime shows on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox last week were Tuesday's "About a Boy" encore (tied for #22), Wednesday's "Chicago P.D." (tied for #24), Tuesday's "Growing Up Fisher" rebroadcast (tied for #28) and Wednesday's "Law & Order: SVU" (tied for #28).

Excluding Academy Award-related programming on ABC, "The Voice" delivered the #2 and #3 ratings of the week on the Big 4 in 18-49 and "The Blacklist" tied for #6. The two "Voice" editions were the #1 and #2 non-Oscar programs on those net in teens 12-17 and kids 2-11.

Through 23 weeks of the season, NBC ranks #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and other key demos. It's the first time NBC has ranked #1 in 18-49 this late in the season in 10 years (since the 2003-04 season).

NBC's 3.1 rating in adults 18-49 is the network's top average at this point in the season in six years (since a 3.1 in 2007-08).

Versus one year ago, NBC is up 19% season to date in adults 18-49 (3.1 vs. 2.6).

In total viewers, NBC ranks #2 for the season with an average of 10.3 million viewers, which is its biggest overall audience 23 weeks into the season in 10 years (since 2003-04, 11.0 million). Versus one year ago, NBC is up 37% season to date in total viewers (10.3 million vs. 7.5 million).

Primetime averages for the week of Feb. 24-March 2 in adults 18-49 are: ABC, 3.3/10; NBC, 1.8/5; CBS, 1.7/5; Fox, 1.3/4; and CW, 0.6/2. In overall total viewers, the weekly averages were: ABC, 11.6 million; CBS, 8.5 million; NBC, 6.3 million; Fox, 4.4 million; and CW, 1.5 million.

Season-to-date averages are: NBC, 3.1/9; Fox, 2.8/8; CBS, 2.4/7; ABC, 2.1/6; and CW, 0.8/2. In overall total viewers, the season averages are: CBS, 10.9 million; NBC, 10.3 million; Fox, 8.2 million; ABC, 7.4 million; and CW, 1.9 million.

NBC highlights for the week of Feb. 24-March 2:

Monday: NBC swept six of six Monday half-hours among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and total viewers, with "The Voice" and "The Blacklist" returning to the schedule with time-period wins among the Big 4 networks in every key ratings category.

"The Voice 6" (4.7 rating, 13 share in adults 18-49, 15.9 million viewers overall from 8-10:01 p.m. ET,) debuted with an 18% gain versus the show's Dec. 17 fall finale in adults 18-49 (with a 4.7 rating vs. a 4.0), to score the highest "Voice" rating on any night of the week since Monday, Sept. 30, 2013 (4.7). "The Voice" finished within a tenth of a point of its year-ago premiere in 18-49 (4.7 vs. 4.8 on March 25, 2013).

In total viewers, it was the top "Voice" premiere since the post-Super Bowl debut on Feb. 5, 2012 and the 15.9 million viewers was up 16% versus the year-go 13.6 million for the year-ago "Voice 4" premiere. In "live plus same day," it was NBC's most-watched regularly scheduled entertainment telecast in nearly two years, since "The Voice" on Monday, March 5, 2012 and the top singing competition on any network in the 13 months since Fox's "American Idol" averaged 16.1 million viewers on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013..

The Feb. 24 "Voice" grew from its first half-hour to its fourth by 33% or 1.3 rating points in 18-49 (to a 5.2 from a 3.9) and 20% or more than 2.8 million persons in total viewers (16.9 million vs. 14.0 million).

"The Blacklist" (3.1/9 in adults 18-49, 11.2 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) jumped versus its prior telecast four weeks earlier by 24% in 18-49 rating (to a 3.1 from a 2.5 on Jan. 27, an episode that did not have a "Voice" lead-in) and 10% in total viewers (11.2 million vs. 10.2 million). "The Blacklist" delivered its highest 18-49 and total-viewer results since the show's fall finale on Dec. 2. Excluding that fall-finale, "Blacklist" matched its highest 18-49 rating since Sept. 30, the show's second telecast and delivered it biggest overall audience since Oct. 7. "The Blacklist" outrated the time period's ABC and CBS competition combined in adults 18-49 (3.1 vs. a combined 2.9).

L+3 Time-Shifting: Last week's "Blacklist" grew by 4.7 million viewers in "live plus three day" results versus these "live plus same day" ratings (to 15.9 million from 11.2 million). In 18-49, the Feb. 24 "Blacklist" grew by 47% or 1.46 rating points (to a 4.55 from a 3.09).

Tuesday: NBC won Tuesday in adults 18-49, as "The Voice" ranked #1 for the night with the network's best non-Olympic result in the time period since Oct. 1, 2013 in 18-49 and since April 16, 2013 in total viewers.

"The Voice 6" (3.7/11 in 18-49, 13.0 million viewers overall from 8-9:01 p.m. ET) generated the second-highest 18-49 and total-viewer results for a Tuesday "Voice" since Oct. 22, trailing over that span only the Dec. 17 fall finale. Versus its year-ago Tuesday debut, the Feb. 25 telecast was up 5% in total viewers (13.0 million vs. 12.4 million).

An encore of the debut episode of "About a Boy" (2.3/6 in 18-49, 8.1 million viewers overall from 9:01-9:31 p.m. ET) ranked #2 in the half-hour among the Big 4 networks, within a tenth of a point of the slot lead (and was #1 in men 18-34 with a 1.4 rating). The 2.3 is NBC's best non-Olympic result in the time period since the "Voice" finale on Dec. 17. Tuesday's "About a Boy" encore was up 5% versus the show's post-Olympic 2.2 for its original run on the prior Saturday night from 11:05-11:30 p.m. ET. The 2.3 adds to Saturday's 2.2 to produce a combined 4.5. The two telecasts have added together for a combined 16.3 million viewers overall.

A rebroadcast of the premiere episode of "Growing Up Fisher" (2.0/5 in 18-49, 7.1 million viewers overall from 9:31-10 p.m. ET) retained 87% of its 18-49 lead-in from "About a Boy" and matched its post-Olympic 2.0 for the show's original run on the previous Sunday night from 10:36-11 p.m. ET. Tuesday's 2.0 adds to Sunday's 2.0 to produce a combined 4.0. The two telecasts have added together for a combined 15.9 million viewers overall.

"Chicago Fire" (1.8/5 in 18-49, 7.1 million viewers overall) returned with its first telecast in five weeks and matched its 18-49 rating of the show's prior two telecasts (1.8 each on Jan. 14 and 21). "Chicago Fire" tied for #1 in the slot in 18-49 with CBS's "Person of Interest." From half-hour to half-hour, "Chicago Fire" maintained its 18-49 rating and grew in total viewers despite the 10 p.m. hour, while the drama competition on ABC and CBS declined half-hour to half-hour in both measures. L+3 Time-Shifting: "Chicago Fire" grew by 0.97 of a rating point or 54% going from these "live plus same day" ratings to "live plus three day" (to a 2.76 from a 1.79) and added 2.816 million viewers (9.879 million vs. 7.063 million). The 18-49 increase is "Chicago Fire's" biggest since Oct. 22.

Wednesday: With its first telecast in four weeks, "Revolution" (1.3/4 in adults 18-49 and 4.6 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) matched its prior 18-49 rating, despite this week's competition from the season premiere of "Survivor."

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2.0/6 in adults 18-49, 7.8 million viewers overall from 9-10:01 p.m. ET) matched its top rating since Jan. 8. With its first telecast in three weeks, "SVU" grew by 11% in 18-49 rating versus its prior episode (2.0 vs. 1.8 on Feb. 5) and was up 25% or more than 1.5 million persons in total viewers (7.8 million vs. 6.2 million million). "SVU" grew from half-hour to half-hour in every key measure.

"Chicago P.D." (2.2/7 in 18-49, 8.0 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) tied for #1 in the time period in adults 18-49 with CBS's special 10 p.m. telecast of "Criminal Minds" and delivered the highest 18-49 rating this season for a regularly scheduled program on ABC, CBS or NBC in the time period. "Chicago P.D." captured a series record in 18-49 and delivered its best total-viewer result since the show's Jan. 8 debut. With its first telecast in three weeks, "Chicago P.D." jumped by 29% versus its prior episode in 18-49 rating (to a 2.2 from a 1.7 on Feb. 5) and by 33% or 2.0 million persons in total viewers (8.0 million vs. 6.0 million). Note that this week's "Chicago P.D." crossed over with "Law & Order: SVU."

It's the fourth straight "Chicago P.D." to match or top its prior rating in 18-49. The "Chicago P.D." track since its Jan. 8 debut is: 2.0, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.7, 2.2.

L+3 Time Shifting: These NBC Wednesday dramas grew significantly in L+3 results, "Revolution" by 0.67 of a rating point or 52% in 18-49 (to a 1.96 from a 1.29), "SVU" by 0.81 or 40% (2.82 vs. 2.01) and "Chicago P.D." by a best-yet 0.89 or 41% (3.08 vs. 2.19).

Thursday: With its first telecast in four weeks, "Parks and Recreation" (1.1/3 in 18-49, 2.5 million viewers overall from 8:30-9:01 p.m. ET) built by 10% on its 18-49 lead-in from "Community" (1.0/3 in 18-49, 2.562 million viewers overall).

This season's Thursday debut of "Hollywood Game Night" (1.2/3 in 18-49, 3.4 million viewers overall from 9:01-10 p.m.) grew half-hour to half-hour in nearly all key categories, including gains of 18% in adults 18-49 (to a 1.3 rating from a 1.1) and 21% in total viewers (3.7 million vs. 3.1 million). Excluding the Olympics and specials, the 1.2 is NBC's top rating in the time period since Nov. 7.

With its first telecast in five weeks, "Parenthood" (1.1/3 in 18-49, 3.6 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m. ET) maintained its 18-49 rating from the show's first half-hour to its second, and grew from half-hour to half-hour in adults 25-54 (+8%, to a 1.4 from a 1.3) and total viewers (+4%, 3.7 million vs. 3.5 million). L+7 Time-Shifting: The previous "Parenthood" grew by 81% or more than a full rating point in 18-49 going from L+SD to L+7 ratings (to a 2.33 from a 1.29).

Friday: With its first telecast in four weeks, "Dateline NBC" (1.2/4 in 18-49, 6.2 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET) equaled its prior edition in 18-49 rating (1.2 on Jan. 31) and was up 4% in total viewers (6.232 million vs. 6.014 million).

With its first telecast in five weeks, "Grimm" (1.4/5 in 18-49, 5.3 million viewers overall from 9-10:01 p.m. ET) finished within a tenth of a rating point of its prior episode (1.5 on Jan. 24). "Grimm" tied as the #1 scripted program of the night on the Big 4 with CBS's "Hawaii Five-0" and "Blue Bloods" (1.4 rating each). L+7 Time-Shifting: Note that "Grimm" is a heavily time-shifted series, with the prior telecast on Jan. 24 increasing by 77% going from these next-day L+SD ratings to L+7 (from a 1.54 to a 2.73).

The season-two debut of "Hannibal" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 3.3 million viewers overall from 10:01-11 p.m. ET) grew by 0.3 of a point or 38% versus last season's finale in adults 18-49 (1.1/4 vs. 0.8/2 on Thursday, June 20, 2013) and was up 65% in total viewers (3.3 million vs. 2.0 million). In the time slot, "Hannibal" ranked #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in men 18-34 (with a 1.1 rating). The 1.1 rating in adults 18-49 tops "Hannibal's" final five episodes from last season and matches or beats its final nine telecasts for that season. And the 3.3 million viewers overall is "Hannibal's" biggest total-viewership since April 18, 2013 (3.5 million). L+7 Time-Shifting: "Hannibal" was a heavily time-shifted series last season, growing by an average 82% going from its next-day "live plus same day" rating (1.1) to "live plus seven days" (2.0).

Saturday: NBC Sports' coverage of the Pittsburgh Penguins-Chicago Blackhawks NHL Stadium Series game from Soldier Field in Chicago averaged a 0.8 rating, 3 share in 18-49 and 2.8 million viewers overall from 8-11:12 p.m. ET to tie ABC for the nightlong win in adults 18-49 among the Big 4 networks. It's the biggest overall audience for NBC coverage of a regular-season NHL matchup, excluding "Winter Classic" telecasts, in the history of Nielsen's current People Meter sample (dating back to September 1987).

Sunday: Versus Oscar Sunday last year, NBC was up 0.2 of a rating point or 25% in adults 18-49 (to a 1.0/2 from a 0.8/2 on Feb. 24, 2013) and up 34% in total viewers (3.7 million vs. 2.8 million). For the night, NBC tied CBS and Fox (1.0 each) for #2 among the Big 4 networks behind ABC's Academy Awards coverage.

An encore telecast of "Dateline NBC" (0.9/2 in 18-49, 4.2 million viewers overall from 7-9:04 p.m. ET) grew from its first hour to its second by 25% in 18-49 rating (to a 1.0/2 from a 0.8/2).

A rebroadcast of "The Voice" (1.1/3 in 18-49, 3.4 million viewers overall from 9:04-11:08 p.m. ET) grew from its first hour to its second by 22% in 18-49 (to a 1.1 from a 0.9). For its second hour from 10-11 p.m., the "Voice" encore ranked #2 among ABC, CBS and NBC behind the Academy Awards in all key ratings categories.