CBS (14.29 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 2.6, #1) moved into the top spot on Tuesday thanks to new episodes of "NCIS" (17.25 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 3.0, #T2) - its season low, "NCIS: Los Angeles" (15.01 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 3.0, #T2) and "Unforgettable" (10.63 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 1.8, #9) - tied as its series low.
Here are the highlights of the 15 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night:
NBC (6.74 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 2.3, #2) then had to settle for the silver despite the season finale of "The Biggest Loser 13" (7.13 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 2.1, #T6) followed by new episodes of "The Voice" (8.86 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 3.1, #1) and "Fashion Star" (4.23 million viewers, #12; adults 18-49: 1.5, #10).
Next up was FOX (4.79 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 2.1, #3) with its fresh installments of "Glee" (5.95 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 2.4, #4) and "New Girl" (4.39 million viewers, #11; adults 18-49: 2.1, #T6) alongside a repeat of "New Girl" (2.86 million viewers, #13; adults 18-49: 1.4, #T11).
Meanwhile, ABC (8.93 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.9, #4) offered up its original mix of "Last Man Standing" (6.49 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 1.4, #T11) - its series low, "Cougar Town" (4.99 million viewers, #10; adults 18-49: 1.3, #13) - also its series low, "Dancing With the Stars" (13.42 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 2.3, #5) - tied as its series low (excluding specials) - and "Private Practice" (7.62 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 2.1, #T6).
And finally, new episodes of "90210" (1.19 million viewers, #14; adults 18-49: 0.6, #14) and "The L.A. Complex" (0.57 million viewers, #15; adults 18-49: 0.3, #15) over on The CW (0.88 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.5, #5) closed out the evening. In the netlet's target demo (women 18-34), "90210" delivered a 1.0 rating while "Complex" posted a 0.4 rating.
In late-night metered market ratings (via NBC's press release):
In Nielsen's 56 metered markets, household results were: "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," 2.5/7; CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman," 2.5/6; and ABC's combo of "Nightline," 3.4/8; and "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 2.0/6.
In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, adult 18-49 results were: "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," 0.8/4; "Late Show," 0.6/3; "Nightline," 1.0/4; and "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 0.6/4.
At 12:35 a.m., "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" (1.3/5 in metered-market households) tied CBS's "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (1.3/5). In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Late Night" (0.4/3 in 18-49) tied "Late Late Show" (0.4/2).
At 1:35 a.m., "Last Call with Carson Daly" averaged a 0.8/3 in metered-market households and a 0.3/2 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.
Here are the highlights of the 13 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (5/3/11):