It’s tempting to take this news from Deadline Hollywood as evidence of how badly NBC stinks…
An already bad month is getting worse for NBC. For the first time in sweeps history, the network is projected to finish fifth in the key adults 18-49 demographic. That’s a crushing blow for NBC, which went from flying high in November with a sweep win to its shows cratering and ratings plunging. From the beginning of the February sweep on January 31 through February 19, NBC has averaged a 1.2 rating among adults 18-49. That’s below the 1.5 that Univision has been averaging so far over the 20 night of the sweep period. In fact, Univision has bested NBC every singe night of the sweep so far among adults 18-49 and is poised to overtake NBC for its first fourth-place sweep finish in the demo.
… that would be terribly unfair to Univision, which deserves congratulations for its achievement. It is, however, sobering to consider that NBC’s position in the ratings evidently depends on three programs: NFL football, “The Voice,” and “Revolution.” The NFL is done until next season, while the other two shows have not yet returned from hiatus. I’ve often wondered if some of these “winter breaks” run for too long.
