30 Rock: Series Finale Brings Best Demo since March 2012

Last night’s last episode of 30 Rock didn’t exactly bring very impressive ratings but they were the best that the sitcom has seen in a long time — since March 2012.

Here’s the press release from NBC which includes the network’s spin on the rest of the night:

Thursday Results:

* From 8-9 p.m. ET, the series finale of “30 Rock” (1.9/5 in 18-49, 4.8 million viewers overall) delivered the show’s highest rating since March 15, 2012 (2.0 from 8:30-9 p.m.), and in total viewers (4.796 million), it was the top “30 Rock” in two years, since January 27, 2011 (4.922 million from 10-10:30).

* “30 Rock” grew versus the prior week by 36 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.9 from a 1.4) and by 26 percent or nearly one million persons in total viewers (3.838 million vs. 3.811 million), pending updates.

* Versus “30 Rock’s” average for original episodes earlier this season, last night’s finale is up 46 percent in 18-49 rating (1.9 vs. 1.3) and up 40 percent or 1.4 million persons in total viewers (4.796 million vs. 3.423 million).

* From 9-9:31 p.m. ET, “The Office” (2.1/5 in 18-49, 4.4 million viewers overall) grew week to week by 5 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.1 from a 2.0) and by 6 percent in total viewers (4.444 million vs. 4.192 million). “The Office” ranked #1 in the slot among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in men 18-34 and was #2 among those networks in men 18-49 and 25-54. Note that last season, “The Office” added an average 50 percent to these next-day “live plus same day” ratings when Nielsen reported “live plus seven day” results.

* From 9:31-10:01 p.m. ET, a second telecast of “The Office” (1.9/5 in 18-49, 4.0 million viewers overall) delivered NBC’s highest 18-49 rating in the time period with comedy programming since October 4 and biggest overall audience for an NBC comedy in the half-hour since January 12, 2012. The 9:31 edition of “The Office” finished #1 in the time period among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in men 18-34 and ranked #2 among those networks in men 18-49 and 25-54. .

* From 10:01-11 p.m. ET, the debut of “Do No Harm” averaged a 0.9/3 in 18-49 and 3.1 million viewers overall, down 0.1 of a rating point versus NBC’s 1.0 average in the time period this season in adults 18-49 (L+SD, excluding live news and sports).

In Late-Night Metered Markets Thursday night:

* In Nielsen’s 56 metered markets, household results were: “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” 2.5/7; CBS’s “Late Show with David Letterman,” 2.7/7; and ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” 2.7/7.

* In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, adult 18-49 Wednesday results were: “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” 0.8/4; “Late Show,” 0.7/3; and “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” 1.0/5.

* From 12:35-1:05 a.m. ET Wednesday night, ABC’s “Nightline” averaged a 1.7/6 in metered-market households and a 0.6/4 in 18-49 in the Local People Meters.

* From 12:35-1:35 a.m. ET, “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” (1.4/5 in metered-market households) beat CBS’s “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” (1.2/4). In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, “Late Night” (0.5/3 in 18-49) topped “Late Late Show” (0.4/3).

* At 1:35 a.m., “Last Call with Carson Daly” averaged a 0.9/4 in metered-market households and a 0.4/3 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.

NOTE: All ratings are “live plus same day” from Nielsen Media Research unless otherwise indicated.

What do you think? Did you tune in to watch the last episode? If so, did you watch “live,” via DVR, on-demand, or online?