NBC started out the 2012-2013 TV season ahead of the pack. The network won premiere week, but many critics and viewers guestimated the network’s sudden rise to the head of the class could not last. A couple of months later, NBC still seems to be holding on to its claim, doing quite well in weekly ratings. Now, the network has even won the number 1 spot in the November ratings.
After a nice lead-in from the Olympics, it was programming like The Voice and Revolution that helped NBC to win premiere week. Now, Deadline is reporting the peacock network has won the November sweeps for the first time since 2003. While CBS, Fox, and ABC are all posting fall declines, NBC has actually posted gains and is averaging a 2.8 rating during primetime—up 17% from last year.
However, everyone, including network President Bob Greenblatt, knows these fall gains are likely to be short-lived. With both The Voice and Revolution going into hiatus until the spring, Greenblatt stated he would be “astonished” if the network managed to hold on to first place in lieu of its two popular shows, also noting other networks may have more midseason “firepower.” Still, the network has some tricks up its sleeve, including new fodder coming at midseason, like Deception and 1600 Penn, and online interactive Internet content in the works for Revolution while fans wait for new episodes. Probably NBC won’t be able to hold on to its lead, but I’ve certainly seen stranger things happen in the ratings this year.
