Last night, the series finale of "ER" delivered the highest 18-49 rating for a drama series finale on the broadcast networks in nearly seven years and the biggest overall audience for any drama series finale in 13 years, according to updated "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.
Last night from 9-11 p.m. ET, the series finale of "ER" (6.0 rating, 16 share in adults 18-49, 16.4 million viewers overall) scored the highest 18-49 rating for a drama series finale since "The X-Files" wrapped with a 6.3 on May 19, 2002. In total viewers, "ER," with an average 16.4 million viewers, assembled the biggest overall audience for a drama finale since "Murder, She Wrote" concluded with 16.5 million on May 19, 1996.
"ER," which made its original series debut on NBC on Thursday, Sept. 22, 1994, following a two-hour movie on Monday, Sept., 19, 1994, concluded its 15th and final season with last night's telecast.
"ER" sewed up NBC's highest 18-49 and total viewer results in this time period with entertainment programming since May 18, 2006, the night of the "Will & Grace" finale. This is the highest-rated episode of "ER" among adults 18-49 since October 12, 2006 and in total viewers since May 18, 2006. Versus "ER's" season-to-date average for original episodes, last night's telecast was up 88 percent in adults 18-49 (6.0 vs. 3.2, "live plus same day") and 90 percent in total viewers (16.4 million vs. 8.6 million, "live plus same day').
"ER" took charge of the two-hour time period, dominating in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key ratings categories. In adults 18-49, "ER" generated a 94 percent margin of victory (6.0 vs. 3.1 for CBS's dramas in second place). In the 10-11 p.m. hour, "ER" beat the ABC-CBS drama competition combined in all key ratings categories – adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49, 25-54 and total viewers.
Last night from 8-9 p.m. ET, the special "ER Retrospective" (3.5/10 in 18-49, 10.6 million viewers overall) delivered NBC's best non-sports 18-49 rating in the time period since January 3, 2008 and biggest non-sports total viewership in the slot since March 27, 2008. The retrospective finished within 0.1 of a rating point of the time-period lead in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 in adults 18-34, women 18-34, women 18-49 and women 25-54.
NBC's 5.2 average in adults 18-49 and 14.5 million viewers overall from 8-11 p.m. last night marks the network's best Thursday primetime performance in both measures, excluding sports, since May 18, 2006 (the night of the "Will & Grace" finale).
Updated 18-49 averages for Thursday night are: NBC, 5.2/14; CBS, 3.3/9; Fox, 3.0/8; CW, 1.6/4; and ABC, 1.4/4. In overall total viewers, April 2 updated results are: NBC, 14.5 million; CBS, 12.1 million; Fox, 8.1 million; ABC 4.5 million; CW, 3.6 million.
Note that all national ratings are "live plus same day" unless otherwise indicated.
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Source: NBC
