Latest returns for the week ending March 10 show an official shift in the broadcast network rankings for the 2012-13 TV season. Fox has usurped NBC's second-place status, now averaging a 2.6 rating and 7 share with adults 18-49 over NBC's 2.5 rating and 7 share.
The Peacock's troubled course over midseason will shift in two weeks when The Voice returns to the schedule, though it likely won't see the dominance it saw in the fall. Season-to-date, NBC is 7 percent shy of last year's demo average. That drop, however unfortunate, has not been as steep as ABC's (8 percent), The CW's (13 percent) or Fox's (21 percent).
CBS remains the lone broadcast network even with its showing last year, thanks in part to the Super Bowl. It's currently averaging a 3.1 rating with adults 18-49 and 9 share. This time last year, Fox was on top with a 3.3 rating in the demo.
The Voice is not the only late-midseason savior coming to the broadcast networks. With mediocre and downright bad launches across the dial, the return of Dancing With the Stars should offer some boost to ABC. And on Fox, the continued performance of American Idol, though down from last season, is still far outpacing The X Factor's showing in the fall.
During the episode's opening monologue, Leno joked about NBC’s fifth-place status: "We are behind the Spanish-language network Univision -- or, as we call it here in Los Angeles, Cinco de Ratings." Other jokes included: "It’s so bad, The Biggest Loser isn’t just a TV show anymore; it’s our new motto" and "It’s so bad, NBC called Manti Te’o and asked him to bring in some imaginary viewers."
The exchange between Greenblatt and Leno is said to have occurred before The Hollywood Reporter reported March 1 that NBC was discussing an exit plan for Leno, which would see him cede his 11:35 p.m. timeslot in 2014, possibly to be replaced by Jimmy Fallon. NBC has denied the report, but two high-level industry sources told THR the network was considering making an announcement in May.
The sources indicated NBC was concerned about ABC moving its younger-skewing Jimmy Kimmel Live! to 11:35 p.m. in January. Leno remains dominant in most ratings categories, including the 18-49 demo, though Jimmy Kimmel bested Leno in his first week in the 11:35 timeslot.
"Kimmel has done extremely well," a network veteran told THR for the March 1 story. "Jay wins overall, but on any given night, it's neck-and-neck in 18-49. I understand where they might have fear and also feel that they own the solution [in Fallon]."
Leno’s rep told the Times there would be no comment on the report.
