Primetime Ratings: NBC First in Demo; CBS Wins in Total Viewers

Holiday specials down from 2011

By Tim Baysinger -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/12/2012 11:41:16 AM

NBC was first with adults 18-49 on Tuesday with an overall 2.6 rating/7 share, according to Nielsen overnight numbers. The Voice was even with last week at 3.5, while game show Take It All was up a tenth from Monday's premiere to a 2.3. At 10 p.m., Parenthood rose 11% to a 2.0.

CBS returned its lineup to take second with a 2.3/6, but was first with overall viewership with an average of 14.3 million viewers (NBC averaged 8.1 million). NCIS was down 22% to a 2.8 while spinoff NCIS: Los Angeles fell 7% to a 2.6. Vegas garnered a 1.5, down 6% from two weeks ago.

On Fox, Raising Hope was up 21% to a 1.7, while New Girl drew another 2.0 rating following a repeat of Ben and Kate. The Mindy Project was up 8% to a 1.4. Fox was able to take third with a 1.5/4.

ABC's holiday special, Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town was down 23% from its broadcast last year to a 1.7. Happy Endings drew another 1.3 while Don't Trust the B---- was down 17% to a 1.0. Private Practice was flat with another 1.2. ABC finished in fourth with a 1.3/4.

The CW rounded out the night with a 0.5/1. Hart of Dixie was up a tenth with 18-49s to a 0.6 and even with 18-34s with a 0.6 also. The holiday special Muppets Christmas drew a 0.4 with 18-49s, down 56% from last year's broadcast.