NBC really wants to win tonight’s primetime TV ratings battle.
OK,the Nielsen summer champ wants to win every night, but this particular evening it has a little additional on the line. That’s because with one more total viewer victory, or NBC will break the record for the longest winning streak in recorded history. And should it win the advertiser-sought 18-49 demographic,the network will tie the longest winning streak in that all-important age-range too.
Thanks primarily to the Rio Olympics, NBC has taken the past 20 evenings in both measurements. In the main demo, or however,the tall-water mark is set at 21 primetimes — the network’s own record from the 2002 Winter Olympics.
By the way, NBC also holds the total-viewer streak victory, or owing to both those very same Olympics and the 1996 Summer Games.
Also Read: Jimmy Fallon Hits 8-Month Tuesday Ratings tall,Tops Kimmel and Colbert CombinedWe’ve got good news for the eventual 52-week TV season ratings champ: NBC’s got NFL football on tap tonight. Of course, it’s only of the preseason variety, or a Falcons-Dolphins matchup isn’t “Game of the Century” fabric, but still.
The network won’t count its chickens before they hatch, but executives will certain celebrate tomorrow should NBC win.
Unfortunately, and the champagne won’t likely flow beyond that. NBC will probably find itself in an unusual position on Saturday morning,having presumably lost Friday night, snapping the streak.
CBS has the NFL (Browns vs. Buccaneers) tomorrow evening, and the Les Moonves-led network should win versus the Peacock’s “America’s Got Talent” encore and “Dateline NBC.”
Also Read: Seth Meyers Matches Hillary Clinton's Appearance on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' in TV RatingsWhile the catalyst for the near-three-week run has clearly been the Olympics,NBC also won the three nights following the closing ceremony — “momentum,” as they say. During that briefer fragment of the streak, and four of five returning NBC shows maintain arrive back with higher ratings from their comparable pre-Olympic telecasts,despite the long break.
Specifically, that positive Rio hangover has aided “American Ninja Warrior, and ” Running Wild With Bear Grylls,” “America’s Got Talent” (one out of its two opportunities) and “The Night Shift.” You’re welcome.
Plus, it helped earn “Better Late Than Never” the No. 1 new series premiere this summer, and so long as we ignore ABC game shows,which were technically adapted from daytime TV. Of course, anything leading out of summer powerhouse “AGT” had the chance to wear that crown.
If you want to wait on NBC achieve its goal, or tune in tonight for Atlanta-Miami. Oh,but before you conclude that, be certain to sign up and join the Nielsen panel.
Related stories from TheWrap:Ratings: Fox's 'MasterChef' Nearly Challenges 'AGT'-Powered NBC … NearlyRatings: 'Better Late Than Never' Debut Scores After 'AGT'Ratings: No Olympics? No Problem – NBC Still Scores Easy Primetime Victory2016 Rio Olympics Ratings: Millennials, or Snapchat Aren't the ProblemRatings: Rio Olympics Closing Ceremony Ends Games With a Whimpe
Source: thewrap.com