After edging Empire in Live+7 for the first time for the week of Nov. 14, NBC’s breakout This Is Us also scored its first victory over the hit Fox drama in Live+3 for the week of Nov. 26.

The Nov. 29 episode of This Is Us — which already set a new Live+same day high for the freshman drama in total viewers (10.065 million) — has moved ahead of the Nov. 30 Empire in among adults 18-49 in L+3 by +0.2 after trailing by -0.2 in Live+same day. This Is Us grew to a 4.2 (L+3) from 2.7 (L+SD) — tying a L3 series high — vs. Empire‘s 4.0, up from 2.9 in L+SD. This Is Us also set a new L+3 series high in total viewers (14.459 million), up +6.4% from the previous L3 record of 13.583 million viewers for the Oct. 11 episode.

This Is Us, the only bona fide hit of the new fall crop of broadcast series, has been very consistent, gaining on Empire, which has been slipping in its third season. For the week before Thanksgiving, This Is Us squeaked past Empire in Live+7 4.65 vs. 4.64 rating in 18-49 after trailing 2.56 to 3.11 in L+SD.

With big time-shifted viewing lifts — for the season, the average L+7 lift of This Is Us (+1.97) is the biggest for any broadcast series — Dan Fogelman’s family saga is becoming a major ratings force. Since the rookie, as well as Empire, both have abbreviated seasons, This Is Us may not be able to surpass Empire in season averages as the latter started off much higher, but it certainly will mount a major challenge to the hip-hop soap for the top-rated drama of the 2016-17 season crown.