A Sweeps Week Win for NBC
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NBC’s nostalgic 75th anniversary special and the network’s current lineup of series heavyweights teamed to provide NBC with a commanding ratings win during the first full week of this month’s sweeps, based on viewing estimates issued Tuesday by Nielsen Media Research.
In addition to stellar numbers for the three-hour-plus anniversary show, NBC’s “Third Watch” benefited from an “ER” crossover to deliver that drama’s highest rating since its premiere in 1999. The network also posted better-than-usual Saturday results with the movie “Men in Black” and respectable numbers for “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” and Bob Hope prime-time specials.
Every major network except NBC was down more than 10% compared with the same week last year, with ABC (falling 20%) posting the steepest decline. The network’s woes are demonstrated by the fact that its most-watched program last week, “The Practice,” ranked No. 27 overall.
CBS was again led by “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” which ranked as TV’s most-watched program for the eighth time in 32 weeks this season. The network also received a boost last Tuesday from the concluding half of “Living With the Dead.”
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National Nielsen Viewership
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