NBC's THE VOICE Ties for #1 Show of Primetime Week in Adults 18 -49

With THE VOICE tying as the #1 show of the week in adults 18-49, NBC has delivered an average 1.9 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49 and 5.7 million viewers overall for the week of February 27-March 4, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

Versus the same week last year, NBC is up 19 percent in 18-49 rating (with a 1.9 vs. a 1.6) while ABC, CBS and Fox were all down. NBC is also up versus the same week last year in all other key ratings categories: adults, men and women 18-34; men and women 18-49; adults, men and women 25-54; plus total viewers.

The Monday hit "The Voice" tied Thursday's edition of Fox's "American Idol" as the #1 show of the week in adults 18-49 with a 5.4 rating each, marking the fourth time in five weeks "The Voice" has been #1 or tied for #1 among primetime series on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox.

Primetime averages for the week of February 27-March 4 in adults 18-49 were Fox (3.4/9), CBS (2.2.6), ABC (1.9/5), NBC (1.9/5) and CW (0.4/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were Fox (10.5 million), CBS (10.2 million), ABC (6.4 million), NBC (5.7 million) and CW (1.1 million).

NBC highlights for the week of February 27-March 4

* On Monday, "The Voice" was the #1 telecast of the night in adults 18-49 and total viewers despite special competition from Fox's coverage of the Daytona 500.

* Versus last season's fourth regular telecast, the February 27 "Voice" was up 20 percent in 18-49 rating and 49 percent in total viewers. Through four weeks, "The Voice" has delivered NBC's four highest 18-49 ratings in this time period, excluding Olympics, in nearly four and a half years.

* Also on Monday, week four of "Smash" equaled its 18-49 rating of the prior week and grew by 3 percent in total viewers despite the high-rated NASCAR competition on Fox. The February 27 "Smash" beat NBC's time-period average this season prior to "Smash" by 130 percent in 18-49.

* On Tuesday, the "Parenthood" season finale tied for the time-period win in adults 18-49 while delivering the show's top 18-49 and total-viewer results since November 29.

* On Wednesday, "Law & Order: SVU" generated half-hour to half-hour increases in every key ratings category, including gains of 13 percent in adults 18-49 and 11 percent in adults 25-54..

* On Thursday, "Parks and Recreation" delivered its biggest overall audience in five weeks.

* Also on Thursday, the premiere of "Awake" captured NBC's highest non-sports rating in the time period since May 2011 and biggest overall audience excluding sports since April 2010. "Awake" improved on NBC's slot averages this season by 67 percent in 18-49 rating.

* On Friday, "Who Do You Think You Are?" tracked down its highest 18-49 rating since February 2011 and set a new series record in total viewers.

* Friday's "Grimm" won the 9 p.m. ET hour in 18-49 while matching the show's top rating since January 20.

* On Sunday, "The Celebrity Apprentice" grew by 28 percent versus the prior week's Oscar-impacted rating. For its second hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Celebrity Apprentice" finished #1 in adults 18-49 ahead of ABC's debut of "GCB" and CBS's "CSI: Miami."

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 February 27-March 4:

On Monday, Feb. 20 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Voice" (5.4 rating, 14 share in adults 18-49, 14.9 million viewers overall) finished #1 in its highly competitive two-hour time period in adults 18-49 and other key categories, despite special competition from Fox's coverage of the rain-delayed Daytona 500. In adults 18-49, "The Voice" was the #1 telecast of the night and led the 8-10 p.m. block over #2 Fox by a 23 percent margin (5.4 vs. 4.4) and delivered a 54 percent margin over CBS's comedy block (5.4 vs. 3.5). In total viewers, "The Voice" was also the #1 telecast of the night and led the 8-10 p.m. block over #2 Fox by a 7 percent advantage (14.9 million vs. 13.9 million) and topped CBS by 44 percent (14.9 million vs. 10.3 million). From its first half-hour to its fourth, "The Voice" grew by 33 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 6.1 from a 4.6) and by 15 percent or 2.1 million persons in total viewers (15.8 million vs. 13.7 million).

"The Voice" continues to pace well ahead of its year-ago cycle, up 20 percent last night versus last season's fourth regular-slot telecast (with a 5.4 vs. a 4.5 on Tuesday, May 17, 2011). In total viewers, the gain versus episode four last year was 49 percent (14.894 million vs. 10.005 million). Versus NBC's averages in the time period this season prior to "The Voice," this week's telecast was up 200 percent in 18-49 rating (with a 5.4 vs. a 1.8) and up 167 percent in total viewers (14.894 million vs. 5.587 million).

"The Voice" has now generated NBC's four highest non-Olympic 18-49 ratings in this slot in nearly four and a half years (since September 24, 2007). And "The Voice" has delivered NBC's first four 18-49 wins over regular, original, in-season broadcast competition in this slot, excluding Olympics, since November 3, 2008.

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, "Smash" (2.3/6, 6.6 million viewers overall) equaled its 18-49 rating of the prior week, despite special competition in the hour this week from Fox's Daytona 500 coverage. In total viewers, "Smash" was up week to week by 3 percent (6.638 million vs. 6.469 million). "Smash" finished within 0.2 of a rating point of CBS's "Hawaii Five-0" in the race for the hour's top non-sports telecast on ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 (after trailing "Hawaii Five-0" by 0.6 of a point the prior week) and is the top non-sports telecast on those networks in adults 18-34. "Smash" also ranked #1 in the hour among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in women 18-34.

The February 27 "Smash" beat NBC's time-period average this season prior to "Smash" by 130 percent n 18-49 rating (with a 2.3 vs. a 1.0) and by 72 percent in total viewers (6.638 million vs. 3.864 million). "Smash" has now delivered NBC's four highest in-season ratings in the time period since September 20, 2010.

On Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 8-9 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser 13" averaged a 2.0/5 in 18-49, 5.7 million viewers overall in a highly competitive time period opposite Fox's "American Idol" Tuesday special, CBS's "NCIS" and "NCIS: LA," and ABC's "Last Man Standing," "Cougar Town" and "The River." "The Biggest Loser 13" grew from its first half-hour to its fourth by 16 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.2 from a 1.9) and 13 percent in total viewers (6.2 million vs. 5.5 million).

Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET, the season finale of "Parenthood" (1.9/5 in 18-49, 5.2 million viewers overall) tied for #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in the time period in adults 18-49 and is #1 among outright among those networks in adults 18-34 and all key adult-female demos. "Parenthood" is up week to week by 12 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.9 from a 1.7) and up 5 percent in total viewers (5.159 million vs. 4.913 million), while also up versus two weeks ago by 19 percent in 18-49 rating (1.9 vs. 1.6) and 15 percent in total viewers (5.159 million vs. 4.483 million). Note that "Parenthood" has been adding 46 percent to these next-day "live plus same day" ratings when Nielsen issues "live plus seven day" results.

The February 28 telecast of "Parenthood" generated the show's highest 18-49 and total-viewer results since November 29.

On Wednesday, Feb. 29 from 8-8:30 p.m. ET, "Whitney" averaged a 1.5/5 in 18-49 and 4.1 million viewers overall in an intensely competitive time period opposite Fox's "American Idol," CBS's "Survivor: One World" and ABC's "The Middle." Week to week, "Whitney" maintained its 18-49 rating (1.5 vs. 1.5) and grew by 0.4 percent in total viewers (4.129 million vs. 4.114 million). Versus NBC's average in the time period last season, "Whitney" is up 15 percent in 18-49 rating (with a 1.5 vs. a 1.3, "live plus same day" non-sports). 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?" (1.3/4 in 18-49, 3.5 million viewers overall) retained 87 percent of its 18-49 lead-in from "Whitney" against intense time-period competition from the concluding half-hours of "American Idol" and CBS's "Survivor: One World," plus the ABC comedy "Suburgatory." Week to week, "Chelsea" maintained its 18-49 rating (1.3 vs. 1.3) and grew by 2 percent in total viewers (3.5 million vs. 3.4 million). 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, "Rock Center with BrIan Williams" averaged a 0.7/2 in adults 18-49 and 2.7 million viewers overall. Versus the prior week, "Rock Center" was up 17 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 0.7 from a 0.6) and up 2 percent in total viewers (2.748 million vs. 2.697 million).

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" averaged a 1.6/4 in 18-49 and 5.4 million viewers overall, growing from its first half-hour to its second in every key ratings category. "SVU" grew from half-hour to half-hour by 13 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.7 rating from a 1.5), 11 percent in adults 25-54 (2.1 vs. 1.9) and 8 percent in total viewers (5.6 million vs. 5.2 million), while competing dramas on ABC and CBS were declining in each of those categories. "SVU" built on its lead-in by 129 percent in 18-49 rating and 97 percent in total viewers. Note that "Law & Order: SVU" 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.

On Thursday, March 1 at 8 p.m. ET, "30 Rock" delivered a 1.4/4 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers in a competitive time period versus Fox's "American Idol," CBS's encore "Big Bang Theory" and ABC's rebroadcast "Wipeout." In total viewers, "30 Rock" is up versus one week earlier by 1 percent (3.750 million vs. 3.700 million) and up versus two weeks earlier by 4 percent (3.759 million vs. 3.592 million).

Thursday at 8:30 ET, "Parks and Recreation" (1.7/5 in 18-49, 3.7 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 21 percent in 18-49 rating. "Parks and Recreation" maintained a 1.7 in 18-49 for a fifth consecutive telecast and delivered its biggest overall audience in five weeks. Week to week, "Parks and Rec" is up 8 percent in total viewers (3.693 million vs. 3.427 million). In the competitive time period versus Fox's "American Idol," CBS's "Rob" and ABC's encore "Wipeout," "Parks and Rec" is #2 among those shows in adults, men and women 18-34.

Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, "The Office" averaged a 2.5/7 in 18-49 and 4.9 million viewers overall, building on its lead-in by 47 percent in 18-49 and by 32 percent in total viewers. In the time period, "The Office" is #2 among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults, men and women 18-34 and adults, men and women 18-49, as well as men 25-54 in a competitive time period versus Fox's "American Idol" and encores of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and CBS's "Person of Interest."

Thursday at 9:31 ET, "Up All Night" averaged a 1.6/4 in 18-49 and 3.4 million viewers overall in a competitive time period versus the concluding half-hours of Fox's "American Idol" and encores of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and CBS's "Person of Interest." In the time period, "Up All Night" is #2 among ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW in adults, men and women 18-34.

Thursday at 10 p.m. ET, the premiere of "Awake" (2.0/5 in 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall) captured NBC's highest non-sports rating in this time period since May 19, 2011 and biggest overall audience excluding sports since April 15, 2010. Versus NBC's season averages in the time period, "Awake" is up 67 percent in 18-49 rating (with a 2.0 rating vs. a 1.2) and up 45 percent or 1.9 million persons in total viewers (6.253 million vs. 4.327 million). "Awake" is #1 in the hour among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key demos versus CBS's rebroadcast of "The Mentalist" and ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" encore.

On Friday, March 2, at 8 p.m. ET, "Who Do You Think You Are?" (1.4/5 in 18-49, 7.4 million viewers overall) scored its highest 18-49 rating since February 11, 2011 and set a new series record in total viewers. Week to week, "Who Do You Think You Are?" is up 40 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.4 from a 1.0) and up 47 percent or 2.4 million persons in total viewers (7.4 million vs. 5.0 million). This week's edition of "Who Do You Think You Are?" featured Reba McEntire.

Friday at 9 p.m. ET, "Grimm" (1.6/5 in 18-49, 5.3 million viewers overall) equaled its top 18-49 rating since January 20 and delivered its biggest over total-viewer result since that same date. "Grimm" ranked #1 in the time period in adults 18-49. "Grimm" grew week to week by 7 percent in 18-49 (1.6 vs. 1.5) and 11 percent in total viewers (5.3 million vs. 4.8 million). Note that on average this season, "Grimm" originals have been adding 61 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.

Friday at 10 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" reported a 1.3/4 in 18-49 and 4.0 million viewers overall to match its highest 18-49 rating in three weeks.

On Saturday, March 3 at 8 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "Smash" (0.4/1 in 18-49, 1.8 million viewers overall) grew versus the prior week's 18-49 rating by 33 percent (0.4 vs. 0.3). And at 9 p.m., "The Firm" delivered a 0.4/1 in 18-49 and 2.2 million viewers overall.

Saturday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (0.7/2 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall) grew from its first half-hour to its second in all key categories, including gains of 33 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 0.8 from a 0.6) and 19 percent in total viewers (4.1 million vs. 3.5 million).

On Sunday, March 4 from 7-8 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" delivered a 1.0/3 in 18-49 and 5.1 million viewers overall. And from 8-9 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast "The Celebrity Apprentice" (1.1/3 in 18-49, 3.7 million viewers overall) grew versus last week's Oscar-impacted encore in this hour by 38 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.1 from a 0.8) and by 45 percent in total viewers (3.7 million vs. 2.5 million).

Sunday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "The Celebrity Apprentice" (2.3/6 in 18-49, 6.7 million viewers overall) is up versus the prior week's Oscar-impacted results by 28 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.3 from a 1.8) and 29 percent in total viewers (6.673 million vs. 5.203 million). "The Celebrity Apprentice" tied for #2 in the time period among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49 and tied for #1 in adults 25-54 versus ABC's "Desperate Housewives" and debut of 'GCB," Fox's "Family Guy" and "American Dad" and CBS's "Good Wife" and "CSI: Miami." "Celebrity Apprentice" built on NBC's results in the prior hour from 8-9 p.m. ET by 109 percent in 18-49 rating (2.3 vs. 1.1) and by 82 percent in total viewers (6.7 million vs. 3.7 million).

For its second hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, "The Celebrity Apprentice" ranked #1 in adults 18-49 versus ABC's premiere of 'GCB" and CBS's "CSI: Miami." For that second hour, "Apprentice" was also #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-34 (tie), adults 25-54 and all key adult-male demos.