• by Wayne Friedman , March 27, 2013

Although CBS still sat in first place through March 24, competition is heating up -- especially with some high-profile shows like NBC’s “The Voice” and “Revolution” coming back online.

Now after the first 26 weeks of the year, CBS leads among 18-49 viewers, with a Nielsen 3.0 average rating in the live-plus-seven-day rating race.

CBS has been the most stable of all networks, now down just 3% against last season. (CBS ratings include the Super Bowl). Fox sits in second place at a Nielsen 2.6 average 18-49 rating, down 21% from a year ago.

NBC is right behind Fox with a 2.4, down 8% from a year ago. But look for this to dramatically change in the coming weeks, now that “The Voice” and its rookie successful drama “Revolution” started up this week.

ABC was fourth at a 2.3, off 8% from last season. The CW is at a 0.7 adult 18-49 rating average, losing 13% from a year ago.

There was virtually no change in the race among total viewers — CBS is well ahead of everyone for the season, averaging 12.2 million viewers. ABC is second with 7.8 million; followed by NBC with 7.149 million; Fox, 7.142 million; and CW, 1.8 million.

On Monday of this week, NBC brought back its two big shows -- much needed after its crushingly low results for the first three months of the year. “The Voice” came back with a big Nielsen 4.8/13, a bit off its fall premiere, while “Revolution” returned with a solid 2.6/8. NBC easily won the night among 18-49 viewers with a 4.0/11. CBS was next at a 2.4/6.

advertisement

advertisement