Airing versus a repeat episode of CBS' CSI, the ninth episode of NBC's The Apprentice series set a new total viewer record and finished within 0.2 of a rating point of its best Adults 18-49 demographic rating ever.
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According to updated in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, the March 4 Apprentice episode drew 20.2 million overall viewers and a 9.8 rating, 24 share in the Adults 18-49 demographic. The performance still placed Apprentice behind CSI's 22.75 million overall viewers, but won the hour in every key demographic and placed Apprentice as the top ranked Adults 18-49 show on any network for the evening.
Combined with a Princess Diana: The Secret Tapes special at 10 PM, a repeat Friends at 8 PM, and an original Will & Grace episode at 8:30 PM, NBC won its ninth consecutive Thursday victory in Adults 18-49 demographic. The win gives NBC the longest Thursday 18-49 winning streak for any network since a 24-week run by NBC from January to June of 2002.
Apprentice's Adults 18-49 rating was up 40 percent over NBC's season-to-date average for the time period (9.8 vs. 7.0).