NBC Wins November Sweeps, Network President Astonished by Results

NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt is as shocked as anyone.

With November Sweeps pretty much over, his network came out on top this month in the key 18-49-year demographic, it was determined yesterday, showing a stunning 17 percent improvement from a year ago.

"The fact we jumped from fourth to first, and haven’t been in this position in nine years, is really astonishing to all of us,” Greenblatt said on a conference call with reporters Tuesday. “It feels great … there’s a kind of intangible excitement in the building. I think it’s infectious for our producers, our clients, our advertisers.”

CBS, however, earned the most total viewers overall; while Greenblatt acknowledged that NBC will take a hit when The Voice, Sunday Night Football and Revolution all take a break over the winter.

This is how the November Sweeps period stacked network-by-network:

KEY DEMO
NBC: 2.8; Up 17%
CBS: 2.4; Down 14%
ABC: 2.2; Down 12%
Fox: 2.3; Down 26%

TOTAL VIEWERS
NBC: 7.917 million; Up 15%
CBS: 10.281 million; Down 10%
ABC: 7.927 million; Down 15%
Fox: 6.522 million; Down 25%

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.