NBC scored a 2.9 in the key 18-49 demo, besting Fox, which had a 2.6. NBC was in fourth place in last season's premiere week. (This premiere week was NBC's first outright in nine years because NBC and ABC tied for No. 1 in 2007.)
CBS, which came in third in premiere-week ratings with a 2.4, was easily first in total viewers, averaging 10.7 million. ABC was second, with 8.3 million, and NBC third, with 8.2 million.
NBC was the only network to gain in ratings and total viewers. ABC, CBS and Fox were all down in both categories by double digit percentages.
NBC espeically benefitted this time around from "Sunday Night Football," which was the top-rated show of last season. But it also got a boost from "The Voice," which didn't air last fall, and the new drama "Revolution," which follows it. The Matthew Perry comedy "Go On" has also scored.
On Tuesday, NBC rewarded "Revolution" and "Go On" by ordering both for the full season -- as well as the lower-rated "The New Normal."
