NBC topped the Christmas tree Wednesday — and the night — with its best “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” special in seven years. With the win, the network won its fourth night in a row in the key demo.
NBC was first in ratings with a 2.5 rating/7 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and second in total viewers with an average of 8.2 million, according to preliminary numbers. At 8, the special earned a 2.3/7 and 9.9 million viewers. A “Saturday Night Live Christmas” special at 9 received a 2.6/7 — a 10-week network high for the timeslot — and 7.4 million viewers.
CBS and ABC tied for second in ratings, each with a 1.9. CBS was tops in viewers with 8.9 million, while ABC was third with 6.4 million.
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For CBS, “Survivor” at 8 earned a 2.6/8 and 10.6 million viewers — making it the most-watched show of the night. Reruns followed.
For ABC, “The Middle” at 8 earned a 1.9/6 — a season low — and 7.5 million viewers. “Back in the Game” at 8:30 got a 1.4/4 — its low to date — and 5.2 million viewers. “Modern Family” at 9 received a 3.1/9 — the night’s highest rating but its season low — and 9.4 million viewers. “Super Fun Night” at 9:30 earned a 1.7/5 — the show’s low in its first year — and 4.9 million viewers. “Nashville” at 10 had a 1.6/5 and 5.7 million viewers.
Fox was in fourth in ratings with a 1.4/4 and in total viewers with 5.3 million. “X Factor” was the only show on the network’s schedule.
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The CW and Univision tied for fifth in ratings, each with a 0.9/3. The CW was fifth in viewers with 2.5 million, while Univision was a close sixth with 2.48 million viewers.
For the CW, “Arrow” at 8 earned a 1.1/3 and 3.2 million viewers — its most since February. At 9, “The Tomorrow People” earned a 0.7/2 and 1.8 million viewers.
Telemundo was seventh in ratings with a 0.6/2 and in total viewers with 1.5 million.