Universal City, California – Led by Sunday Night Football and The Sound of Music Live!, NBC has finished #1 in adults 18-49 and total viewers for the primetime week of Dec. 2-8, ranking #1 or tied for #1 among the Big 4 networks in 18-49 on six of seven nights for the week.

According to The New York Times, the crucial element to the success of the programme was securing Carrie Underwood, the country music star who played Maria, the role which was previously made famous by Julie Andrews in the 1965 movie. The New York Times mentions that the executives of the show said that the ratings were three times higher than what they had predicted, and Carrie Underwood had delivered her audience for the show.

The New York Times also reports that the reason that Carrie Underwood was picked was because other stars that were suggested for the role, would not have set aside the 10 months required to prepare for the live performance.

Sunday Night Football and The Sound of Music Live! ranked #1 among primetime programmes on the Big 4 in every key ratings category for the week. The Sound of Music Live! was #1 in women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

The Sound of Music Live! (4.6 /13 in 18-49, 18.6 million viewers overall ) dominated the night with NBC’s best Thursday average in total viewers, excluding sports, since May 13, 2004 (the night of the Frasier finale, 22.6 million viewers) and best 18-49 Thursday average, excluding sports, since April 2, 2009 (ER finale, 5.2).