Click Here for More Articles on RATINGS WATCH...

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Scores Highest Viewership Since October

"Saturday Night Live," with host Martin Short and musical guest Paul McCartney (5.1/12 in metered-market households) dominated its time period. "SNL" scored the #1 rating of the night among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in metered-market households, topping all primetime telecasts on those networks.

* In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, last night's "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 2.8 rating, 12 share in adults 18-49. "SNL" delivered the top rating of the night among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in the Local People Meters, out-rating all primetime programming on those networks.

* In metered-market households, "Saturday Night Live" matched its highest rating since October 20 (with a telecast hosted by Bruno Mars). In the Local People Meters, "SNL" generated its highest 18-49 rating since November 3 (with an edition hosted by Louis C.K. with musical guest fun).

Saturday Primetime Results:

* At 8 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Chicago Fire" averaged a 0.4/1 in 18-49 and 2.3 million viewers overall.

* At 9 p.m. ET, a second rebroadcast of "Chicago Fire" delivered a 0.5/2 in 18-49 and 2.8 million viewers overall. "Chicago Fire" delivered its biggest overall audience for an encore in this time period since October 20.

* At 10 p.m. ET, another rebroadcast of "Chicago Fire" generated a 0.7/2 in 18-49 and 3.0 million viewers overall. The 10 p.m. "Chicago Fire" encore was up from the 8 p.m. rebroadcast by 75 percent in 18-49 rating, by 50 percent in adults 25-54 (to a 0.9 rating from a 0.7) and by 31 percent in total viewers.

Friday Primetime Results:

* From 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Michael Bublé: Home for the Holidays" averaged a 0.9/3 in adults 18-49 and 4.1 million viewers overall, and maintained 100 percent its 18-49 rating and overall audience from its first half-hour to its second.

* From 9-10 p.m. ET, "Take It All" (1.1/3 in 18-49, 4.7 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the time period among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in total viewers for the hour. Friday's "Take It All" grew from its first half-hour to it second by 20 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.2 from a 1.0) and 12 percent in total viewers (5.0 million vs. 4.5 million) and built on its lead-in by 22 percent in 18-49 and 16 percent in total viewers.

* At 10 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (2.0/6 in 18-49, 6.8 million viewers overall) led the time period in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and all other key categories among ABC, CBS and NBC and earned the #1 rating of the night in 18-49 and 25-54. "Dateline NBC" reported its highest Friday 18-49 rating and total-viewer results since September 23, 2011.

In late-night metered-market households Friday night (some delays in the New York and Hartford markets for news coverage):

* In Nielsen's 56 metered markets, household results were: "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," 3.0/7; CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman," 2.2/5; and ABC's combo of "Nightline," 4.0/9; and "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 2.6/7.

* In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, adult 18-49 results were: "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," 1.0/4; "Late Show," 0.6/2; "Nightline," 1.3/5; and "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 0.9/5.

* At 12:35 a.m., "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" (1.6/5 in metered-market households) beat CBS's "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (1.2/4). In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Late Night" (0.6/3 in 18-49) topped "Late Late Show" (0.4/2).

* At 1:35 a.m., "Last Call with Carson Daly" averaged a 0.9/3 in metered-market households with an encore and a 0.4/2 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.

NOTE: All ratings are "live plus same day" from Nielsen Media Research unless otherwise indicated.