Viewing of CBS' Entertainment Series Exceeds Live Viewing of 15 Years Ago
Measurement of Online and Mobile Viewing To Be Added at a Later Date
CBS' primetime entertainment series grew an average of 54% from its live plus same day average, according to the first ever Nielsen Total Content Ratings (TCR) which measures the first 13 weeks of the 2016-2017 season. Nielsen's new TCR measures live plus 35 day viewing across multiple viewing platforms including VOD, TV and DVR. Measurement of online and mobile viewing is still in development and not included in this metric.
Based on TCR season to date data through week 13, CBS' entertainment series delivered an average of 13.39m viewers on a live plus 35 day basis, 54% more than its live plus same day average of 8.71m and 15% greater than its live plus 7 day average (11.62m). CBS' 2016 TCR audience during this period exceeds the Network's audience of 15 years ago (13.32m) during the same time period, when only live viewing was measured.
The CBS Television Network is already the most watched content platform in the world, and these new metrics demonstrate that, as people's viewing habits change, our position of strength only grows, said David Poltrack, Chief Research Officer, CBS Corporation and President, CBS VISION. This brand new data is a potentially very valuable media planning tool for our clients and their agencies. It certainly adds a new dimension to an advertiser's program selection process, as well as more clarity about the true incremental viewing that is of enormous and increasing value in today's changing landscape.
Television's #1 comedy, #1 drama and #1 new drama all grew substantially from their live plus same day averages:
THE BIG BANG THEORY grew 67% to 24.40 million viewers (from 14.62m).
NCIS was up 43% to 21.32m (from 14.86m).
Freshman drama BULL was up 56% to 19.47m (from 12.46m).
BLUE BLOODS added more than six million viewers in Nielsen's total content rating metric.
CRIMINAL MINDS, NCIS: NEW ORLEANS and SCORPION all added well over five million viewers.
Among adults 18-49, CBS entertainment series averaged 2.4 total content rating, a 71% jump over its live plus same day rating (1.4).
Poltrack added, Once digital measurement is added in the near future, we expect another bump in our viewership numbers, especially given the rapid growth and success of our digital platforms, including CBS.com, the CBS App and our subscription video on-demand and live streaming service, CBS All Access. Plus, these expanded metrics showcase the tremendous popularity and value of our content assets as they are increasingly licensed in the multi-platform global syndication marketplace.
CBS Primetime Entertainment Series 2016-2017 Season-to-date TCR Live 35 Days
TCR LIVE 35
TCR vs. NPM Live SD
TCR vs. NPM Live 7
Per 2 AA (000)
Percent Difference
(000) Difference
Percent Difference
(000) Difference
Rank
CBS AVERAGE
13,390
54%
4,682
15%
1,772
1
THE BIG BANG THEORY
24,399
67%
9,775
22%
4,438
2
NCIS
21,322
43%
6,460
14%
2,598
3
BULL
19,469
56%
7,008
17%
2,779
4
BLUE BLOODS
16,440
63%
6,375
16%
2,225
5
NCIS: NEW ORLEANS
15,516
59%
5,768
15%
1,982
6
NCIS: LOS ANGELES
14,989
39%
4,203
13%
1,736
7
HAWAII FIVE-0
14,100
48%
4,549
13%
1,649
8
CRIMINAL MINDS
13,550
73%
5,704
19%
2,185
9
MADAM SECRETARY
13,267
52%
4,556
14%
1,635
10
SCORPION
12,855
77%
5,590
19%
2,046
11
SURVIVOR
12,122
41%
3,530
13%
1,393
12
MACGYVER
11,825
46%
3,739
15%
1,583
13
KEVIN CAN WAIT
11,605
41%
3,389
15%
1,487
14
CODE BLACK
10,783
83%
4,896
17%
1,548
15
MOM
10,118
42%
2,969
13%
1,140
16
ELEMENTARY
9,470
84%
4,336
20%
1,565
17
LIFE IN PIECES
9,467
52%
3,249
14%
1,127
18
PURE GENIUS
9,463
75%
4,068
18%
1,440
19
THE GREAT INDOORS
9,269
25%
1,847
10%
836
20
MAN WITH A PLAN
8,426
32%
2,050
12%
907
21
2 BROKE GIRLS
7,992
41%
2,342
14%
952
22
THE ODD COUPLE
6,413
35%
1,677
10%
580
Source: Nielsen TCR, 9/19/16-12/18/16; Persons 2 AA (000), Primetime, originals only, excludes specials, repeats, news and sports programming. TCR Live 35 data include VOD, TV and DVR viewing; Digital data is excluded from this analysis. TCR data are based on program only minutes, while Nielsen's Live SD and Live 7 data are based on program and commercial minutes. Nielsen's C3 and C7 metrics are based on commercial minutes only. TCR data are based on Total U.S. Population, while NPM Live 7 data are based on U.S. TV Households.
* * *
Press Contacts:
Kelli Raftery 212-975-3161 kelli.raftery@cbs.com
Ed Harrison 818-655-1584 ed.harrison@cbs.com
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Viewing of CBS' Entertainment Series Exceeds Live Viewing of 15 Years Ago
