NBC displaced ABC last season as the third-highest-rated network in the 18-49 demographic. As happy as NBC is to be in first, the situation could quickly change: Other networks still have big guns to roll out, including "American Idol" on Fox, which usually finishes the season at No. 1 in the ratings.
It's been nine years since NBC was last the top-rated network two weeks into the season. NBC has averaged a 2.8 rating in the demo, the one most important to advertisers, while Fox and CBS are both averaging a 2.4.
Fox entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly said over the summer that the Super Bowl could help CBS become the highest-rated network in the demo this season, as well as remain the most-watched network overall.
But the ratings leader for now is NBC, thanks largely to the success of TV's top-rated show, "Sunday Night Football," and the hit singing competition "The Voice."
More good news for NBC: It is the only network that is up in both the demo and total viewers. ABC, CBS and Fox are down in both.
And some bad news: Though tops in the demo, NBC is third in total viewers. It is, however, doing better than it was at this point last year, when it was fourth.
