NBC reports that the network's new talent-reality series “Fame” got off to a sizzling start last night, winning its 8-10 p.m. ET slot by a commanding 45 percent margin among adults 18-49 and delivering NBC’s highest rating in the time period since Dec. 11.

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According to updated in-home viewing statistics from Nielsen Media Research, “Fame” (4.5 rating, 13 share among adults 18-49, 10.6 million viewers overall) won its two-hour block among all key adult and adult-female categories, men 25-54 and overall total viewers. From its first half-hour to its fourth, “Fame” built its 18-49 audience by 52 percent (to a 5.0/13 from a 3.3/12). “Fame” was the night’s #1 show in 18-49 (tie) and overall total viewers.

“Fame’s” 4.5/13 in 18-49 rivals the 4.8/14 with which “American Idol” premiered on June 11, 2002. And counting just the 8:30-10 p.m. ET slot filled by that “Idol” premiere, last night’s “Fame” debut jumps up to a 4.9/14, ahead of “Idol’s” 4.8/14. “Fame” easily topped last June’s “Idol” premiere among overall total viewers, 10.6 million to 9.9 million. In fact, “Fame’s” first-episode viewer total tops the result for every reality premiere of last summer except the 11.0 million generated by NBC’s “Meet My Folks.”

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