• by Wayne Friedman , October 9, 2012

Taking the temperature after two weeks of broadcast season among key viewers trumpets one clear winner: NBC.

Now bolstered with better numbers at "Sunday Night Football," as well as "The Voice" (sometimes three times a week) and new drama "Revolution," the peacock network stands at a Nielsen live-plus-same-day program average of a 3.0 rating for 18-49 viewers -- up from a 2.7 rating the year before for an 11% gain, according to media agency Horizon Media.

Everyone else has seen declines: CBS to a 2.3 from a 3.1; Fox and ABC tied at a 2.1 rating (Fox down from a 2.9, ABC, slipping from 2.6). The CW sits at a 0.3, down from a 0.8. Univision has also dropped -- now at a 1.4 from a 1.6 this time a year ago.

NBC's "Sunday Night Football" leads all comers in the 18-49 race, now averaging an 8.1 rating, up from an 8.0 this time a year ago. "The Voice" is averaging -- for all showings -- at a 4.0 rating; with "Revolution" at a 3.3.

CBS took a big hit being compared to the initial build-up of Ashton Kutcher in "Two and a Half Men" a year ago. The show, now on Thursdays, is averaging a 3.6 number -- a year ago it was at a 9 rating.

Fox's "X-Factor" -- for all its multi-day airings -- is at a 3.3 rating average, down from a 4.1 in 2011. "New Girl" sank almost two rating points -- to a 2.8 rating from a 4.7; and "Glee" has dipped to a 2.5 from a 3.8.

ABC's "Modern Family" is the second best-rated 18-49 show this time of year so far, at a 5.5. It earned a 6 a year ago.

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