Primetime Ratings: 'Voice' Finale Hits Season High; Up 11% From Last Spring

CBS shows rebound from last Tuesday's lows

By Tim Baysinger -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/19/2012 11:25:19 AM

The finale of the third cycle of NBC's The Voice drew season highs with adults 18-49 and total viewers on Tuesday. The two-hour telecast drew a 4.9 rating from 9-11 p.m. and 14 million total viewers, up 11% and 18%, respectively, vs. last May's finale. The show returns in March for its fourth cycle with new judges Usher and Shakira replacing Cee Lo Green and Christina Aguilera. NBC easily won the night with an overall 4.0 rating/11 share, according to Nielsen overnight numbers.

CBS was in a distant second with a 2.6/7, as its lineup rebounded from season lows. NCIS was up 18% to a 3.3, while NCIS: Los Angeles improved 12% to a 2.9. Rookie Vegas rose 7% to a 1.6.

ABC took third with a 1.4/4. Following a repeat of the holiday special A Charlie Brown Christmas, both Happy Endings and Don't Trust the B---- in Apt. 23 improved from last week. Happy Endings was up 8% to a 1.3 and Don't Trust the B---- rose 10% to a 1.1. Private Practice was even with last week at 1.2.

Fox aired repeats to finish with a 0.8/2.

The CW re-aired the special It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas for a 0.5 with both 18-49s and 18-34s.