Ratings: Matt Lauer-Less Christmas Tree Lighting Is Wednesday's Most-Watched Show

NBC’s tree-lighting may not have had Matt Lauer this year, but it still had plenty of Christmas magic.

“Christmas in Rockefeller Center” was Wednesday’s most-watched broadcast television show, and NBC carried that 60-minute momentum to a primetime win among total viewers.

CBS edged NBC for first place in the key 18-49 demographic, however, running a successful pairing of “Survivor” and a Bruno Mars Apollo Theater special.

Also Read: How Matt Lauer's Firing Could Impact 'Today' Show in the Ratings

CBS was first in ratings with a 1.6 rating/6 share in the advertiser-coveted demo and second in total viewers with an average of 7.3 million, according to preliminary numbers. A two-hour “Survivor” from 8-10 p.m. scored a 1.8/7 and 8.2 million viewers. At 10, “Bruno Mars: 24K Magic Live at the Apollo” landed a 1.1/5 and 5.4 million viewers.

NBC was second in ratings with a 1.5/6 and first in viewers with 7.7 million. “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” at 8 earned a 1.7/6 and 9 million viewers. “Law & Order: SVU” at 9 had a 1.5/5 and 7.1 million viewers. At 10, “Chicago P.D.” got a 1.3/5 and 6.9 million viewers.

Fox was third in ratings with a 1.4/5 and fourth in viewers with 4.4 million. “Empire” at 8 posted a 1.6/6 and 5.1 million viewers. At 9, “Star” received a 1.2/4 and 3.7 million viewers.

Also Read: Ratings: 'This Is Us' Grows With Drama, Drama, Drama-Filled Fall Finale

ABC was fourth in ratings with a 1.1/4 and third in viewers with 4.8 million. “The Goldbergs” at 8 had a 1.4/6 and 5.6 million viewers. At 8:30, “Speechless” got a 1.1/4 and 4.2 million viewers. “Modern Family” at 9 received a 1.6/6 an 6.1 million viewers. At 9:30, “American Housewife” closed out the sitcom block with a 1.0/4 and 4.5 million viewers. “Designated Survivor” at 10 finished primetime to a 0.7/3 and 4 million viewers.

Univision was fifth in ratings with a 0.5/2 and in viewers with 1.4 million.

Telemundo was sixth in ratings with a 0.4/2 and in viewers with 1.2 million.

The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.3/1 and in viewers with 1 million. “Riverdale” at 8 had a 0.5/2 and 1.4 million viewers. At 9, “Dynasty” got a 0.2/1 and 695,000 viewers.

7 Times Matt Lauer Came Under Fire, From Sexual Harassment Accusations to Ann Curry Ousting (Photos)

Matt Lauer was terminated by NBC News on Wednesday after the company received a complaint of sexual harassment against him. But that's not the first time the longtime "Today" host found himself in hot water.
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Rumors of extramarital affairs dogged Lauer during his tenure on "Today," with tabloid reports linking him to other members of the show, including Natalie Morales. In 2010, NBC News finally responded to the allegations, calling them "completely inaccurate and unfounded" and "reckless and harmful to the Lauer family."
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Ann Curry was ousted from "Today" in 2012 as the show was losing ground to ABC's "Good Morning America," and after she issued a tearful on-air goodbye Lauer was widely viewed as the reason for her departure. New York Magazine later reported that the two had a tense off-camera relationship, and though Curry took the fall, Lauer was more to blame for the show's declining viewership.
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In 2012, Lauer was criticized for asking Anne Hathaway about an upskirt photo taken at the premiere of "Les Miserables" and attempting to make a joke of the situation by saying he'd "seen a lot of you lately." Hathaway was praised for how she handled the situation, gently shutting down the line of questioning by saying it was unfortunate that the culture "commodifies sexuality of unwilling participants."
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In 2006, Lauer's wife Annette Roque filed for divorce, alleging that she suffered "cruel and inhumane" treatment at the hands of her controlling husband. The two eventually reconciled and Roque, who was pregnant at the time, withdrew the paperwork, but the documents were obtained and published by the National Enquirer in 2014.
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Lauer's former co-anchor Katie Couric joked about his behavior in a 2012 interview with Andy Cohen. "He pinches me on the ass a lot," she said, calling it Lauer's most annoying habit. Video of the interview, which was handled jokingly at the time, was recirculated following his termination for a sexual misconduct allegation.
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Lauer moderated a pair of NBC News town halls during the 2016 presidential election, which were widely slammed for the way he questioned the two candidates. Lauer repeatedly asked Hillary Clinton about her email server and rushed past other, more concrete policy issues. Meanwhile, he was perceived to have gone much softer on Donald Trump, failing to press the then-nominee on repeated falsehoods.
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Lauer was finally axed by NBC News and removed from "Today" in 2017, after the company received a "detailed complaint" from a colleague accusing him of inappropriate sexual behavior.
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Morning show host was axed following a sexual misconduct allegation by an NBC News colleague

Matt Lauer was terminated by NBC News on Wednesday after the company received a complaint of sexual harassment against him. But that's not the first time the longtime "Today" host found himself in hot water.

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7 Times Matt Lauer Came Under Fire, From Sexual Harassment Accusations to Ann Curry Ousting (Photos)

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